I Used AI to Make a Valentine’s Day Card—Here’s What Happened
Valentine’s Day is often filled with romantic gestures, thoughtful gifts, and sentimental greeting cards. But what if artificial intelligence could help create something just as personal? That was the question journalist Amanda Smith set out to answer.
Amanda, a freelance writer, never cared much for the commercial side of Valentine’s Day. But this year was different. Her wife was away in Florida for IVF treatment, and Amanda wanted to send something meaningful without resorting to a store-bought card. She also wanted to avoid spending too much, having made that mistake with greeting cards in the past. This led her to Photoroom, an AI-powered design tool known for generating images and layouts using machine learning.
The AI Experiment Begins
Photoroom, which launched in 2020, offers both free and premium features. Its advanced AI tools are available through a week-long trial of its Pro tier, which costs $90 per year. Looking for a creative and personal design, Amanda experimented with different prompts and layouts.
However, she quickly ran into problems. The AI-generated text suggestions felt generic, offering phrases like “You complete me” and “You make my heart smile”—far from the heartfelt message she envisioned. When she tried modifying prompts to make them more specific, the AI often misunderstood or ignored her instructions. Requests for minimalistic designs resulted in awkward layouts, and even basic font preferences were not always followed. At one point, the AI seemed stuck, repeatedly generating the same suggestions without offering anything new.
Frustration Turns to Determination
Despite the setbacks, Amanda was determined to make the AI work for her. She refined her approach, crafting a detailed prompt: “Create an image of two women, one with curly brown hair and the other with blonde hair, holding their baby while walking the streets of New York City.”
This time, the AI delivered something closer to what she had envisioned. After multiple tweaks and adjustments, Amanda managed to finalize a design that felt more personal and meaningful. Although the AI still required a great deal of guidance, she was able to create something that reflected her emotions.
AI vs. Human Creativity
After completing her experiment, Amanda reflected on her experience. While AI-generated Valentine’s Day cards could offer more personalization than a mass-produced Hallmark card, they still lacked a truly human touch. She recalled a special moment when her wife wrote her a poem using lines from her favorite songs—something no AI could replicate.
Her journey with Photoroom revealed both the potential and the limitations of AI-generated design. The tool provided a unique way to create custom artwork, but it often struggled with precision, emotional depth, and adaptability. Ultimately, AI could assist in the creative process, but it couldn’t replace human thoughtfulness.
The Takeaway
AI is a useful tool for those looking to experiment with personalized designs, but true romantic gestures still come from the heart. A handwritten note, a custom poem, or a carefully chosen card all carry a personal touch that technology struggles to replicate. While Amanda’s AI-generated Valentine’s Day card was an interesting experiment, it reinforced a timeless truth: the best way to express love is through genuine effort and thoughtfulness.
