Reasons Why AI-Generated Flyers Are Disliked — 8 Design Principles to Eliminate the "AI-Like" Feel

Since the advent of generative AI, the barrier of "I can't design, so I can't create a flyer" has rapidly diminished.

Local events, school activities, restaurant campaigns, live announcements, sale information, reunions. Tasks that previously required learning Photoshop or Illustrator, searching for Canva templates, or hiring a designer can now be started by giving a few lines of instructions to generative AI.

"Create a flyer for a summer festival."
"Create an announcement for the opening of a luxury restaurant."
"Create an eye-catching event image for Instagram."

From such requests, AI can produce images that look like finished products in surprisingly short time.

This is undoubtedly a significant change.

For small businesses, sole proprietors, and local communities that cannot secure a design budget, generative AI has provided an option that did not exist before.

However, as AI flyers have rapidly increased, another problem has begun to emerge.

"It's obvious at a glance that it was made by AI."

"AI-like design" has become the new template

Advertisements created by generative AI tend to exhibit certain commonalities.

Bright large letters on a dark background.
Strong gradients.
Glowing titles.
Multiple description boxes.
Icons.
Arrows.
Checkmarks.
Three-dimensional letters.
Oddly dramatic images.

None of these elements are inherently bad.

The problem is that when AI is given vague orders like "stand out," "look professional," or "be attractive," these elements tend to be incorporated all at once.

A human designer would decide, "Leave this area blank," "Cut this photo," "Don't add more colors."

However, unless clearly restricted, AI tends to move in the direction of "adding more."

As a result, the finished advertisement may look lavish at first glance, but it's unclear what it wants to convey.

The image stands out.
The title stands out.
The date and time stand out.
The icons stand out.
The background stands out.

In other words, everything becomes the main feature.

In design, if everything stands out, nothing stands out.

In the AI era, what might be needed is not the skill to "create more," but the skill to "instruct where to stop."

On social media, the situation is referred to as the "ChatGPT Flyer Pandemic"

This sense of discomfort is no longer limited to experts.

In the summer of 2026, a post describing the rapid increase of AI-generated flyers with similar vibes on overseas social media as the "ChatGPT Flyer Pandemic" became a hot topic.

It's not just street advertisements or store announcements.

Reports indicate that similar-tasting flyers are being used in a wide range of places, such as surfing classes, closing sales, bar events, concerts, fundraising, and service advertisements.

Critics are not only concerned with the fact that AI is being used.

"They all look the same."
"It feels like no effort was put in."
"It lacks the unique atmosphere of the store or event."
"It's obvious it's AI at a glance."

These feelings of discomfort towards homogenization are significant.

On LinkedIn, posts mocking this topic have appeared, with jokes likening symptoms to the use of blue gradients, robots, and icons, receiving comments agreeing that "the value of original works is being re-recognized."

In other words, the stage is shifting from "using AI" being a brand value to "not standing out as having used AI" being more important.

The backlash against "AI Slop" is not limited to flyers

Another term symbolizing the backlash against AI-generated content is "AI Slop."

It is becoming established as an expression mocking AI content that is mass-produced, lacks uniqueness, and is consumed at low cost.

A survey conducted by social media analysis company Visibrain at the end of 2025 found that mentions of "AI slop" exceeded 475,000 in 30 days across four platforms: X, Instagram, TikTok, and Threads.

Of course, not all of these mentions were about AI flyers.

However, this number indicates that user sentiment towards generative AI content is shifting from "new and interesting" to a stage that includes fatigue, like "another AI."

The ability to create images itself is no longer rare.

That's why simply using AI does not differentiate.

The more something can be mass-produced, the less its rarity value.

As a result, human craftsmanship, actual photos, unique text, imperfections, and locality are beginning to hold value instead.

However, thinking "AI flyers = bad" is too simplistic

On the other hand, it's not realistic to conclude "AI should not be used in advertising" just by looking at the criticism of AI flyers.

Many businesses cannot afford to outsource design.

There are cases where schools and local activities cannot afford tens of thousands of yen for production costs.

Small stores must prioritize product development and labor costs over flyer production.

In such situations, generative AI becomes a very powerful tool.

Indeed, even in articles reporting backlash against AI flyers, there are voices appreciating the benefits of creating ads at low cost and in a short time.

The issue is not whether AI was used.

It's the mindset of "it's okay to be sloppy because it's AI."

Generative AI has lowered production costs.

However, it has not rendered the basic principles of design unnecessary.

The first decision should not be "what kind of design"

The first step to improving AI flyers is not writing prompts.

First, decide "what you want people who see this flyer to do."

You want them to come to the event.
You want them to make a reservation.
You want them to buy a product.
You want them to inquire.
You want them to remember the date and time.

The goal should be in one sentence if possible.

For example,

"Inform alumni about the 20-year high school reunion and encourage them to register."

Once it's this clear, priorities are set.

Show "reunion" first.
Then the date and time.
Then the location.
Finally, the registration method.

Adobe's design guide also emphasizes the importance of viewers being able to understand "what the design is for" in a short time.

Don't start with decoration.

Message, structure, and finally appearance.

This order becomes crucial when using AI.

Tell AI more about "what not to do" than "what to do"

When giving instructions to AI, it's tempting to list only the elements to add.

"Include a photo."
"Make it look luxurious."
"Make the title stand out."
"Add icons."

However, in AI flyers, limitations are more important.

For example,

Limit fonts to two types.
Limit colors to about three.
Use one main image.
Don't use decorative icons.
Don't use glowing text.
Don't use 3D text.
Don't include unnecessary borders.
Ensure sufficient white space.

Set these conditions in advance.

For generative AI, constraints are not obstacles.

It's because of constraints that direction is determined.

"White space" is not an empty space

A common issue in beginner design is trying to fill the screen.

There's an empty space.
So a photo is added.
It's still empty.
So an icon is placed.
Then more explanatory text is added.

This is how the amount of information increases.

However, in design, white space is not "unused space."

It rests the eyes.
Groups information.
Emphasizes the title.
Guides the next place to look.

It has clear roles.

Canva also highlights white space as one of the most overlooked yet important principles in its explanation of visual hierarchy.

When instructing AI,

"Use more white space."
"Widen the spacing between information blocks."
"Don't place elements all over the screen."

Conveying these specifics can change the impression.

The instruction "Don't make it look AI-like" can surprisingly work

Telling AI "not to make it look AI-generated" is also a method.

However, that's not enough.

It's necessary to break down what AI-likeness is.

Unnecessary glow.
Excessive gradients.
Meaningless icons.
Decorative cursive.
Fake 3D text.
Unnaturally perfect people.
Information filling the screen.

Instruct to avoid these.

And at the same time,

Simple composition.
Flat colors.
Readable text.
Natural photos.
Clear information hierarchy.
Ample white space.

Convey the desired direction.

The point is to pair "what not to do" with "what to do instead."

Use reference designs for "analysis," not "copying"

Showing AI ads or posters you like as reference materials is also effective.

However, it's not "make the same thing as this."

Have it analyze "why this design works."

How many colors are used.
How much area the photo occupies.
Where the title is located.
How much white space there is.
How the information is divided into stages.
What kind of atmosphere it creates.

Verbalize these characteristics and apply only the principles to new designs.

With this approach, you can use reference materials as design textbooks rather than simple imitation.

Of course, when uploading images to AI, be mindful of the rights to use those images and the terms of service.

Using real photos instantly makes it "your own advertisement"

It's not necessary to generate everything with AI.

For restaurants, use the actual dishes you serve.
For schools, use the actual school buildings or emblems.
For events, use photos from last year's venue.
For stores, use photos of staff or the interior.

Using such materials can help move away from a fictional world created solely by generative AI.

The key is "authenticity."

AI can create generally beautiful dishes.

But it's not the dish customers will actually eat.

AI can depict an ideal store.

However, it's not the store customers will visit.

In advertising, trust can sometimes be more important than beauty.

Combining real materials with AI makes it easier to ensure both production speed and reliability.

Don't let AI decide dates, addresses, or fees

The most dangerous aspect of a flyer is not a visual failure but incorrect information.

Event date.
Start time.
Address.
Phone number.
Fees.
Reservation contact.

These