Many individuals begin by requesting, "design me a coat of arms" from an AI tool. While the initial result may appear medieval, closer examination often reveals anatomical inaccuracies, mismatched symbols, and crests that do not fit the shield. These inconsistencies can raise questions about the design's true meaning and validity.

If you want personal arms you can be proud of, pass down, and use with confidence, hiring a heraldic artist isn’t just a luxury. It’s the key difference between a decorative picture and a true identity. To illustrate why, consider these seven reasons:


1) Heraldry is a language, not a vibe

Generative AI is good at making images that look like heraldry because it copies patterns it has seen before. But real heraldry is more like a visual language, with its own rules, traditions, and a grammar called the blazon. A heraldic artist uses these rules to create arms that are not just nice to look at, but also clear and meaningful within the tradition.


2) A real artist designs for uniqueness, AI designs for resemblance.

Building on the idea that heraldry has its own language, it’s also important to consider uniqueness. AI often mixes elements it has seen before, so your arms might look like many others, using common, overused designs. A heraldic artist can avoid these clichés and create something unique that still fits the heraldic style. It might sound odd, but following the rules actually helps your arms stand out.


3) It is important to remain cautious of "heraldic bucket shops."

Such scams have existed for many years and AI-generated content can inadvertently replicate their errors. Bucket shops have sold “family crests” and “arms for your surname” for years, often copying from unrelated sources or making them up. AI can make the same mistake, creating arms that look real but have no real history or design rationale.


The following are important warning signs:

  • A seller offering you a “registry certificate” that functions mainly as a sales prop
  • Arms crowded with random symbols because “more meaning” feels better
  • A design that cannot be described clearly in a blazon (because it is essentially illustrative, not heraldic)
  • A so-called “family crest” presented without a shield, and without an explanation of the relationship among crest, helm, torse, and mantling.


4) Symbolism is not a scavenger hunt

AI can pile on lots of symbols, but a heraldic artist chooses each one carefully. This matters because heraldry works best when it’s simple. Rather than a scattering of random details, a few meaningful symbols, a clear layout, balanced colors, and a crest that all fit together tell a stronger story. Good heraldry often looks simple, and that’s why it lasts.


5) Craft is also a way to correct, and AI has no accountability

When an artist designs arms, they spot problems early, like clashing colors, awkward shapes, too many symbols, unclear outlines, or a crest that doesn’t fit the shield. AI doesn’t know when it makes mistakes; it just creates images. If something is wrong, there’s no one to fix it, no real process for improvement, and no promise that the next version will be better.


6) You are not only buying an image, but you are also buying a system you can actually use

Your arms need to work in many places: on a signet ring, letterhead, social media, a seal, embroidery, engraving, banners, or bookplates. AI usually gives you one fancy image. A heraldic artist plans for all uses, ensuring the design is clear at any size, maintains consistent lines, and remains recognizable even when simplified.


Most importantly, a coat of arms is meant to last for generations, and people are much better at making that happen than any AI generator.


Personal arms are meant to last. That means making choices that hold up over time: a blazon you can pass down, a design that can be redrawn correctly, and clear reasons for each part so future generations understand them. A heraldic artist can record the design, explain the choices, and make sure your arms become a true family symbol, not just a one-time image.


AI can make images that look like heraldry. A heraldic artist can create arms that truly work as heraldry, in their appearance, their history, and how you use them. If you want to use your arms in public and for years to come, ask yourself: Do you want something that fades with trends, or a true legacy that endures?