How does AI fit into the future of design?
According to recent data, ChatGPT currently boasts over 100 million users, and in June 2023 alone, the website has generated more than 1.6 billion visits.
What does this mean for the future of design and for our own experiences with AI? The wind of change is blowing across the digital world, and in light of the spectacular progress made by artificial intelligence (AI), I cannot help but wonder:
- Will AI take over our jobs or will it, instead, open up new and unforeseen horizons?
- Where do we stand between a future completely overturned by AI and the actual realities of this technology?
With tools such as Figma, Notion or Spline, I can certainly see the potential of AI to help in automating and reducing repetitive tasks as well as optimise workflows. We must not see AI as a mere product, but as a platform that is clearly revolutionising design.
Emancipation through automation: balancing creativity 🌈 and technology 🤖
The evolution of AI raises questions regarding its impact on our role as designers. Historically, design has always evolved in parallel with technology. By saving us precious time, AI optimises the way we work. It allows us to move from simple pixel-based graphics to more sophisticated designs, ultimately resulting in smoother and improved digital experiences.
“As a designer, ChatGPT has completely changed the way I work. I have lots of ideas, but sometimes, I can find it difficult organise them or lay them out on paper. With ChatGPT however, it’s much easier. Content is no longer a problem in my work.” Alban
AI does not intend to replace designers, but to support them. Thanks to great tools such as Adobe Sensei and Figma, the whole design process is simplified, optimised and accelerated. For many designers, AI can be a breath of fresh air. Say goodbye to spending long hours on time-consuming tasks such as typology adjustments or A/B testing. But while the ability to carry out certain technical tasks may become less of a necessity, artistic and nuanced skills will become increasingly important. As we know, AI is currently capable of generating suggestions based on pre-existing on trends, patterns and models. However, the authentic creative process, which combines innovation and emotional expression, remains a discipline which is deeply rooted in human experience and driven by intuition.
Indeed, in the world of design, as in the field of communication, applying nuance requires a certain sensibility and in-depth understanding of the object at hand, whether to decipher the implications of a particular chromatic preference (choice of colour) or to fully grasp the connotation of a particular terminology (an idiomatic expression for example). AI has yet (to my knowledge at least) to come close to accurately replicating this subtle set of skills.
Figma’s latest conference highlighted AI’s incredible potential in transforming every stage of the product development process. The company has massively invested in AI, with over 100 plugins powered by this technology and developed by its community. Diagram, a start-up based on AI-powered design tools and recently acquired by Figma, shows how AI can help bring design to the next level.
Here are a few key examples:
- Suggesting alternative “design components” so that different interactions can be studied more rapidly;
- Creating quick and contextualised assets in a common style;
- Text-generation with real meaning and greater clarity;
- Automating essential but time-consuming tasks such as renaming.
AI is transforming product development by empowering designers and providing them with the design pairing we all secretly wish for when we are in that dreaded creative slump.
Towards a tailored user experience: from “One-Size-Fits-All” design to real-time customisation
When I started working as a designer, products and services were designed to appeal to and accommodate as many people as possible. This one-size-fits-all universal approach has since yielded before the rise of advanced technology and data analysis.
Tailored content
Imagine flipping through your favorite magazine and finding out that each and every article, image or advertisement accurately captures and reflects your current interests. This is now possible thanks to the algorithms that analyse your online habits. So, instead of consuming generic information, you can enjoy a feed of information specially tailored to you, making your reading and/or browsing experience much more relevant and engaging.
A friend of mine recently started a very interesting company centered around AI and user research. I really like his description: “Discover the power of our AI, which automatically categorises your users’ feedback.” Go and check out my friend Antoine from Synopsis!
Dynamic and adaptive content
In the same way, website and application designs are evolving. Various platforms can adapt their layout based on your habits, thereby proving you with an even more personalised browsing experience. For example, if you suffer from poor eyesight or any other visual impairment, the website you are on could automatically increase its font size or adjust contrast, thus making it easier for you to read.
Smarter interactions
Modern interfaces can “learn” from every user, subsequently fine-tuning their content to deliver the best experience possible. For example, if you’re in the habit of checking out the sport section of a particular news website every morning, then, that same website could highlight that particular section each morning, and even further customise the content based on your favourite team or sport. These smart interactions make your browsing experience even more intuitive and seamless.
Towards the end of the “One-Size-Fits-All” paradigm
The one-size-fits-all notion has become obsolete as it fails to meet the diverse demands and expectations of today’s users in an increasingly interconnected world. Nowadays, users expect experiences that cater to their personal preferences and evolve with them over time. So, instead of providing a generic product or service for all, businesses and content creators are now shifting toward creating unique tailored experiences, thereby enhancing the relationship and tightening the bond between the brand and the user.
💡 To conclude, AI offers us a unique opportunity for us to excel. For digital professionals such as ourselves, staying at the cutting edge of technology and remaining adaptable and innovative is key to transforming challenges into opportunities.
AI in practice: untangling myth from reality
Introducing AI into a company requires thorough knowledge of its potential, but also its limitations. Tools such as ChatGPT, impressive as they are, require careful and thoughtful implementation.
If you’ve already tried to adopt a new application or tool in your company, you know how long this process can take. Large companies are like ferryboats: changing direction takes time. When I see that some of my colleagues prefer Google doc to Notion… ;)
ChatGPT: a miracle tool? No, but it is very powerful… and it’s only the beginning!
In our digital professions, as technology enthusiasts, we love ChatGPT. But even with its incredible potential, every trade and industry has its own specific needs and requirements. One tool can’t do it all! Asking ChatGPT a question is a bit like asking a friend who’s read a lot of books. They might have the answer… then again, they might not. ChatGPT is a pattern-based technology, not a crystal ball. It’s important to understand how ChatGPT actually works, and rather than seeing it as an oracle, we should think of it as a data detective, searching for patterns in a vast sea of information.
Digital assistants are valuable but should be taken with a grain of salt
If you’ve ever asked Siri to remind you of an important appointment or Alexa to play your favorite song, you’ve interacted with a digital assistant. These assistants, also called LLM*, are like virtual personal assistants. They can organise your schedule, answer simple questions and even manage certain aspects of your life.
- Pros: they are available 24/7, never asked for time off and can process a large amount of information in the blink of an eye.
- Cons: they are not infallible. They can easily misinterpret a query or even provide you with an inaccurate or inappropriate answer. That is why it is crucial to exercise human control at times. Think of them as valuable tools, but ones that require human oversight.
💡 To conclude, it is fair to say that technology continues to evolve at a dizzying pace, offering ever more sophisticated and complex tools to improve our day-to-day. However, it is imperative that we keep a close eye on these technological advances and approach them with great care while never underestimating the value of human intervention and judgement.
*LLM: an LLM or Large Language Model is a type of artificial intelligence algorithm using deep learning techniques and which is trained to understand and generate natural language. These models are designed to process and understand massive amounts of text-based data from a wide variety of sources.
Ressources :
Why AI Will Save the World | Andreessen Horowitz
Designing for Speed | Google Senior UX Designer | Mustafa Kurtuldu
ChatGPT Tutorial — How to Create a Profitable Blog with AI (Step By Step)
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/23/2023/amazons-vision-an-ai-model-for-everything?
