Moleskine's AI Lord of the Rings collection can only mock

What was actually AI-generated

• Commenters note Moleskine’s update: covers are said to be made by in‑house designers; AI was used to “enhance the background” of marketing images.
• Some suspect this still leaves room for AI use in cover design or mockups, pointing to an unused cover with an obviously wrong Middle‑earth map.
• Others think this is just standard marketing imagery work and not a significant issue.

AI in marketing vs product art

• Some see no problem using AI in ads, comparing it to Photoshop or stock photography; marketing is already manipulative and “anti‑art.”
• Others say it matters if ads misrepresent the product or if AI recreates the very art being sold.
• A subset would avoid buying AI-decorated products but care less if AI is used only in ads.

Authenticity, intent, and “art vs commodity”

• One side frames notebook graphics as commodity packaging for a franchise; efficiency and accessibility of AI tools are seen as positives.
• Opponents stress authenticity, human intent, and alignment with Lord of the Rings themes; reducing everything to efficiency is viewed as reductive.
• Debate on whether prompting an AI is “artistic creation” parallels questions about whether a film director is an “author.”

False advertising and the map issue

• Several highlight that an ad image includes a blurry, geographically inconsistent Middle‑earth map and/or gibberish place names.
• Some argue this is literally false advertising; ads should depict the real product and be checked, AI or not.
• Others counter that ads have always embellished, though one commenter links to US law about deceptive advertising.

Impact on artists and “the market will decide”

• Some argue AI will inevitably dominate low‑end commercial art, and artists should “move up the stack” to more specialized or high‑value work.
• Others see this as work simply disappearing, worsening already precarious artistic livelihoods; boycotts and backlash are framed as legitimate market pressure.

Perceptions of Moleskine as a brand

• Multiple commenters say Moleskine’s paper and construction quality have declined and no longer justify premium pricing.
• Using AI “slop” (or even appearing to) is framed as part of the brand’s enshittification, especially given its historic positioning as a beloved tool for artists.

Legal and IP questions

• One commenter wonders whether AI‑generated images are uncopyrightable and thus freely copyable, implying a business risk for companies leaning on AI art.
• The thread notes this as an open question; no clear case law is cited.