Designing in the Age of AI: Should We Compete or Collaborate?
Here’s how I use AI in my design workflow—and why I believe it’s not here to replace us, but to evolve with us.
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AI
Dec 19, 2024
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5 Min
A designer balancing hand-drawn design with AI-generated visuals in a modern workspace.
When I first started seeing AI-generated logos, wireframes, and even entire websites pop up online, my reaction was probably the same as yours: Should I be worried?
But as I explored tools like Framer AI, Midjourney, and ChatGPT, something shifted. I stopped seeing them as competition and started seeing them as creative partners—ones that don’t replace me, but help me move faster, explore deeper, and sometimes even surprise me.
“AI will not replace designers. But designers who use AI will replace those who don’t.” – Adapted from a common tech saying
In this blog, I want to share how I integrate AI into my design process, what I’ve learned from experimenting with it, and how I think we can thrive—not just survive—in the AI age.
A side-by-side layout showing AI-generated design vs. human-created interface with notes.
I’ve always believed that design starts with empathy, not just tools. But when tools can generate 10 visual options in seconds—like Midjourney does—it saves me time that I can reinvest in research, storytelling, or testing.
Here’s how I personally use AI in my workflow:
• Framer AI to quickly explore layout structures
• ChatGPT to help write or simplify UX microcopy
• Midjourney for visual moodboards and style direction
• Uizard / Galileo AI for UI concepts during ideation
Still, I never use AI blindly. I curate, tweak, test, and humanize every output. AI gives me a head start—not a finished product.
“The best ideas still come from your brain. AI just helps you get to them faster.” – Me, after too much coffee and ChatGPT brainstorming
To really test the balance, I did a fun mini experiment.
I gave a prompt to ChatGPT + Framer AI to design a landing page for a fictional mental wellness app. Then I did the same myself—starting from scratch in Figma.
🧪 AI Version: Clean. Fast. Usable. But lacked depth, emotion, and clear hierarchy.
👨🎨 My Version: Took longer. But included storytelling, accessible design, thoughtful typography, and emotion in every interaction.
The conclusion? AI can build a frame. But only you can add feeling.
“A tool can give you structure. But soul? That still has to come from the designer.”
So, should we fear AI as designers?
No. We should understand it, test it, question it—and use it with intention.
Design isn’t about who clicks faster. It’s about who understands deeper. And AI can’t (yet) feel what it’s like to be frustrated by a cluttered app or moved by a calming microinteraction.
My approach moving forward is clear:
• Use AI to experiment
• Use my creativity to elevate
• Stay human in every pixel
“The future of design isn’t AI or human. It’s AI with human.”
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“Let’s turn pixels into powerful experiences. Reach out, and let’s create something that simplifies and inspires.” I'm just a message away.
“Let’s turn pixels into powerful experiences. Reach out, and let’s create something that simplifies and inspires.” I'm just a message away.