I think you would see a quality difference between 'a monkey mascot' at $40 and $200. The $200 designer is shining a light on his personal brand.
The mascot is friendly, vaguely memorable, well-proportioned, soft, and not attention-seeking. Its expression tells a story, adds humanity, and creates unresolved tension.
The AI ones are sharp and confident and eye-catching, zero subtlety, completely missing the point. I'm willing to bet a $40 designer would drop the ball in a different, equally bad way (probably make it too corporate, or miss the precise "cute but low-effort" spot the original designer hit).
The mascot is friendly, vaguely memorable, well-proportioned, soft, and not attention-seeking. Its expression tells a story, adds humanity, and creates unresolved tension.
The AI ones are sharp and confident and eye-catching, zero subtlety, completely missing the point. I'm willing to bet a $40 designer would drop the ball in a different, equally bad way (probably make it too corporate, or miss the precise "cute but low-effort" spot the original designer hit).