“God or Idol?” Research exploration of AI idolization awareness in poster design

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Published: Jun 6, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.33153/dewaruci.v1i21.7759
Keywords:
AI awareness, Poster design, Human and AI , Collaboration

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Andreas James Darmawan
Visual Communication Design, Jakarta International University, Bekasi
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5557-6352
Sugiyanto Sugiyanto
Visual Communication Design, Universitas Dian Nuswantoro, Semarang
Putri Karin Cinthya
Visual Communication Design, Jakarta International University, Bekasi
Sitinjak Eunike Yolanda Zefanya
Visual Communication Design, Jakarta International University, Bekasi

Abstract

This study aims to explore how poster design can be utilized as a medium for critical reflection on the relationship between humans and artificial intelligence (AI). Using a research-through-design approach, the study developed and compared two poster concepts: a collaborative human–AI poster and a provocative AI-idolization poster. The design process began with the creation of a poster intended to convey a message about the respective positions of humans and AI. A knowledge-tree theme was selected to represent harmony between organic and technological elements. The poster depicts humans and AI sitting side by side beneath a tree with circuit-shaped roots, symbolizing synergy and connectedness. However, despite being aesthetically appealing and communicative, this visual model relies on a widely used metaphor, potentially resulting in a weak awareness effect because audiences are already accustomed to similar representations. As an alternative, a second approach was developed through a provocative poster that combines a religious figure with robotic elements to represent AI as a modern idol. This unconventional visual creates a sense of shock and prompts audiences to reconsider the position of AI, questioning whether it should be perceived as a collaborative partner or excessively glorified. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, the results indicate that the AI-goddess poster is more effective in stimulating critical awareness than the knowledge-tree poster. Through visual rhetoric and semiotic analysis, the findings suggest that unconventional visual metaphors have greater potential to stimulate critical reflection on the position of AI in contemporary society.

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Issue
Vol. 21 No. 1 (2026)
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Articles
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