ORIBA: Exploring LLM-Driven Role-Play Chatbot as a Creativity Support Tool for Original Character Artists

TL;DR

This paper introduces ORIBA, an LLM-based role-play chatbot that supports visual artists in developing original characters by enhancing imagination and conceptualization, while respecting their creative control and ethical considerations.

Contribution

It presents a novel AI chatbot design that facilitates role-play with OCs, supporting conceptual development and emotional engagement without infringing on visual artistic rights.

Findings

Artists experienced increased imaginative engagement.

ORIBA helped develop multidimensional OC attributes.

The system strengthened artists' bonds with their OCs.

Abstract

Recent advances in Generative AI (GAI) have led to new opportunities for creativity support. However, this technology has raised ethical concerns in the visual artists community. This paper explores how GAI can assist visual artists in developing original characters (OCs) while respecting their creative agency. We present ORIBA, an AI chatbot leveraging large language models (LLMs) to enable artists to role-play with their OCs, focusing on conceptualization (e.g., backstories) while leaving exposition (visual creation) to creators. Through a study with 14 artists, we found ORIBA motivated artists' imaginative engagement, developing multidimensional attributes and stronger bonds with OCs that inspire their creative process. Our contributions include design insights for AI systems that develop from artists' perspectives, demonstrating how LLMs can support cross-modal creativity while preserving creative agency in OC art. This paper highlights the potential of GAI as a neutral, non-visual support that strengthens existing creative practice, without infringing artistic exposition.