A Value-Oriented Investigation of Photoshop's Generative Fill

TL;DR

This study uses a value-sensitive design framework to assess how Photoshop's Generative Fill (GF) aligns with professional creatives' workflow values. By analyzing 566 GF-related posts from Photoshop-user forums through reflexive thematic analysis, the authors identify GF as useful for touch-ups, prototyping, and image expansion, and as a productivity booster. However, it also reveals value tensions between ease of creativity and the authenticity of human-made art, along with concerns about the lived experience of craft and regulatory ethics around content. The findings inform design and policy considerations for aligning generative tools with professional values and preserving the essence of human-centered creativity.

Abstract

The creative industry is both concerned and enthusiastic about how generative AI will reshape creativity. How might these tools interact with the workflow values of creative artists? In this paper, we adopt a value-sensitive design framework to examine how generative AI, particularly Photoshop's Generative Fill (GF), helps or hinders creative professionals' values. We obtained 566 unique posts about GF from online forums for creative professionals who use Photoshop in their current work practices. We conducted reflexive thematic analysis focusing on usefulness, ease of use, and user values. Users found GF useful in doing touch-ups, expanding images, and generating composite images. GF helped users' values of productivity by making work efficient but created a value tension around creativity: it helped reduce barriers to creativity but hindered distinguishing 'human' from algorithmic art. Furthermore, GF hindered lived experiences shaping creativity and hindered the honed prideful skills of creative work.