From Image to Imagination: Exploring the Impact of Generative AI on Cultural Translation in Jewelry Design

The current proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) is prominently shaping the design industry. Generative AI, such as text-to-image and image-to-image models, has gained widespread use, notably for its efficiency and quality improvements. However, their potential to aid in cultural translation within creative design is underexplored. To address the existing gap, this study aims to assess the impact of generative AI on cultural translation within jewelry design. Specifically, a comprehensive study was conducted through a design-action experiment, collecting 46 student designers’ design-action data and self-reports, and enlisting the evaluation from 30 design experts. The findings highlight the substantial influence of generative AI on the ideation phase of jewelry design, especially in depth rather than breadth, and in the shape factor at the technical level such as detailization and unexpected composition. Leveraging AI image generators has shifted the designer’s focus from technical tasks to strategic decisions related to visual appeal, cognitive engagement, and emotional resonance. Furthermore, the challenges inherent in human–AI collaboration have been revealed, stemming from communication difficulties and the risk of fixating on specific details to stylistic constraints. Based on data analysis, a novel hybrid model regarding human–AI co-creation on cultural translation in jewelry design is proposed. Overall, this current study offers a valuable reference point to future research in terms of examining the effect of emerging technologies on cultural translation in creative fields.