“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

The 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 the Research Through Design approach, the study developed and compared two poster concepts: a collaborative human–AI poster and a provocative AI-idolization poster. Began with poster creation, which conveys a message regarding the position of AI and humans. Poster with knowledge tree theme was chosen to represent harmony between organic and technological elements. This poster depicts humans and AI sitting side by side under a tree with circuit-shaped roots, symbolizing synergy and connectedness. However, despite its aesthetic and communicative value, this visual model has been widely used, resulting in a weak awareness effect; audiences are accustomed to similar metaphors. As an alternative, a second approach was taken, creating a quirky poster that combines a religious figure with robotic elements as an AI modern idol. This provocative visual creates shock awareness, forcing audiences to consider the position of AI, whether read as a colleague or excessively glorified. Using a qualitative approach with descriptive methods, results confirm that the AI ​​goddess poster is more effective in raising critical awareness than the tree poster. Through visual rhetoric and semiotic analysis, findings suggest that unconventional visual metaphors have greater potential to stimulate critical reflection regarding AI's position in contemporary society.

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Vol. 21 No. 1 (2026)
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Articles
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