If you’re like me, then you’re better at drawing stick figures than actual figures. That doesn’t mean I don’t like to play with graphics and Autodraw is a great tool to help with that! This Artificial Intelligence program from Google Labs works on your phone, computer, or tablet and includes basic drawing tools, shapes, text, colors, or freehand drawing. It also allows you to resize the blank Canvas or choose from landscape, portrait, or another size that’s in between the two.
To use, begin doodling a shape and the program will guess what you are drawing and will give you options to choose from and replace it with a more professional-looking image. The drawings that you can use to replace your doodles are drawn by artists, designers, and illustrators. I briefly walk through this process in the gif below:
These images can be downloaded or shared with others and used to create simple graphics and logos or be used in infographics, presentations, projects, and posters.
You can also download the entire database of images using a Creative Commons Attribution license. This type of license means that you can use it as long as you give attribution or credit to the original creator. The database is listed in their Artists section, but there’s no direct link to it. To find it, click on the 3 lines in the upper left corner and select “Artists”.
However, if you can draw, there are still a ton of things you can do. Turn off the auto function and use the space to practice skills or just create! You can also submit your own drawings to the database, but know that Google does include this policy: “Drawings are my own and Google may use my drawings for any purpose,” which basically gives Google all rights to your work, but at the very least, you are growing a great collection of resources for others!
Autodraw is a great little tool and one that can be used in a variety of ways to encourage creativity and visual appeal! Give it a try and let me know what you think in the comments below.
Ms Priester EDU 