Dewa Ruci : Jurnal Pengkajian dan Penciptaan Seni
Vol. 21 No. 1 (2026)

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

Andreas James Darmawan (Visual Communication Design, Jakarta International University, Bekasi)
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)



Article Info

Publish Date
06 Jun 2026

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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Journal Info

Abbrev

dewaruci

Publisher

Subject

Arts Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Other

Description

International Journal of Visual and Performing Arts draws its contributions from academics and practitioner-researchers at the interface of new visual and performing arts. It acts as a forum for critical scholarship, innovative practice, and creative pedagogy, addressing themes that may be ...