Lightspeed of AI

Opportunities & Angst

* I have to say, I'm feeling some existential angst about how AI will affect design work. AI is advancing at an incredible pace, and it can be overwhelming for designers to keep up.
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Designers are often problem solvers, tasked with creating solutions to a wide range of challenges. Whether they're designing a new product or creating a new brand identity, designers must consider a wide range of factors, from usability and functionality to customer requirements. They must be able to think critically and creatively, analysing problems from multiple angles and developing innovative outcomes that meet their clients' needs.

As designer and educator Emily Campbell said, "AI is like a rocket ship, and we're all on board." While some designers worry that AI will replace them, others see it as a powerful tool to aid their creative process

Microsoft Design recently published an article suggesting that AI will eventually replace some routine tasks of designers. However, designers possess essential creativity and intuition, serving as translators between the user's needs and the possibilities of technology, which AI lacks.

On the other hand, AI has many benefits in UX design. With the ability to quickly analyse vast amounts of data and generate predictions, designers can use AI to create more personalised and effective designs for customers. As designer Marc Hemeon said, "AI is the ultimate assistant, capable of amplifying the designer's abilities and allowing them to focus on the creativity within their projects."

Tools of the trade

Although AI can perform certain tasks more efficiently than humans, designers should view AI as a tool to aid the design process, not as a replacement for human creativity. As designer Dieter Rams famously said, "Good design is making something intelligible and memorable. Great design is making something memorable and meaningful." AI-generated designs may lack the uniqueness and diversity that human designers bring to the table, limiting creative expression in design and harming a brand's identity and reputation. There is also a potential for "deep fake" designs that could seriously affect brand trust and reputation.

In UX design, AI-generated user experiences may not align with human values and preferences, which could harm a brand's reputation and trust with its customers. Similarly, in UI design, AI-generated interfaces may be too complex or confusing for users, leading to poor usability and user experience.

Therefore, AI should be approached with mindfulness and used ethically to ensure that it benefits both the designer and the end user.

Therefore, AI should be approached with mindfulness and used ethically to ensure that it benefits both the designer and the end user. AI can be a tool for generative design, allowing designers to explore more design options than they would manually, and design automation, where routine tasks can be automated, freeing designers to focus on creative aspects of the design process.

*Written with ‘some’ help from AI 😊.

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