I’ve been thinking about what the future of design looks like as the era of AI, and AI supported tools enter our industry. Overall, I am hopeful and optimistic - check in with me in a few years though 😉 …

Future A:

I believe the decreasing cost of entry will enable more businesses to leverage design, recognize its value, and seek a higher level of craft.

AI in design sets a standard that will suit many, but not all. It will drive us to improve, challenge the status quo, and elevate our craft. It will push us to expand our roles beyond designers. As one of my old managers used to say “Learn enough to be dangerous”. As designers, we will need to be dangerous in research, business (models, development, strategy), engineering, and data analysis.

AI is just another tool in our arsenal. Similar to prototyping, coding, motion, copywriting, illustration, iconography, systems, etc. Its impact will depend on how we implement it. I’m not naive, I think it has the power to replace some roles; but I know it can also support us and our work.

As a research partner, that can help me understand what’s been done before, synthesize data, or review questions. As a math wiz that can help me create grids across devices, because as designers we only deal in multiples of 4 and 8. As a note taker, and content drafter to get ideas down. It can help us get to a level of good enough.

For many “good enough” will be satisfactory - that is why we need to adapt and upskill. For those that want to challenge good enough, this will be our moment. To solve complex problems across multiple nuances - to raise the level of craft by innovating and applying our expertise and human experience. Remember, design is multifaceted and relies on numerous variables for success, with the human factor being the most significant and hard to predict.

The fear surrounding AI entering the design space is real, rooted in ethics in how it’s trained, the uncertainty of being able to provide for our wellbeing, and our creative Achilles’ heel—imposter syndrome, “What if it’s better than me”. AI has to be trained to get better as do we, so if it is better, practice makes perfect.

Future B:

Design becomes an artisan skill that customers seek for its human touch - think ‘handmade’ furniture vs IKEA. Positive note, we all get to hang out at farmers markets.