Editing with AI: An Experimental Study Comparing Speed, Quality, and User Control in Photoshop

Abstract

AI has revolutionized creative software, particularly Adobe Photoshop. This thesis explores the impact of AI tools on the design process by comparing traditional (manual) editing methods against AI-assisted workflows. The research question is "Editing with AI: An experimental study comparing speed, quality, and user control in Photoshop". Adopting an autoethnographic approach, the researcher performs four common editing tasks: object removal, canvas expansion, object selection, and portrait adjustment. Each task is evaluated on three metrics: speed (time to complete), quality (final result), and creative control (perceived user agency). The study aims to contribute to the ongoing conversation about AI's role in creative industries by analyzing these practical results and reflecting on how AI alters workflow, efficiency, and the designer's decision-making process.