Is AI going to take my job as a designer?

Joshua McDonald

Published on

July 10, 2024

In the fast-paced world of technology and design, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has brought about a mix of excitement and concern. While some people worry about AI taking over jobs, others see it as a fantastic tool that can help us work smarter.

So which one is true? Or is it both? How should we respond as designers? It's easy to be complacent and spend all of your time wondering if you're wasting your time in a dying field. I've thought about this a lot, and I've concluded that the insights below are the best way to approach this sudden and certain AI revolution. This method has helped me a lot and I hope that you also find some assurance and direction through it.

Focus on the craft.

Think about a horse wearing blinders. They're not just some fashion statement. These blinders help the horse stay focused on the path ahead, without getting distracted by what's happening around them. Similarly, in our careers, it's crucial to stay focused on improving our craft and delivering great work.

Fear can be a huge distraction — worrying about being replaced, fear of new technology, and anxiety about change can hold us back. Instead of letting these fears take over, we should concentrate on what we do best and keep getting better at it. Remember why you worked your way into this field in the first place. AI is here to help us, not replace us. By embracing AI, we can get rid of the repetitive tasks and spend more time on the creative aspects of our jobs that we love.

No more swinging hammers.

Just as the automobile revolutionized transportation and computers transformed the world of manual typesetting, AI is the next step in our tool evolution. Computers didn't eliminate jobs; they changed them. People adapted and found new ways to use their skills. The same thing is happening with AI today.

AI can take care of repetitive and time-consuming tasks, allowing us to focus on higher-level work that requires human creativity. For example, AI can automate routine and uninspiring process work, and provide insights on your clients. By using AI in our workflows, we can work more efficiently and produce better work which in turn provides more value for our clients.

AI is a project manager you can actually afford.

Think of AI as your design administrator (only it costs less than $30 a month). It can assist with generating ideas, organizing projects, and even executing basic design tasks. There is a plethora of tools available that can suggest colour schemes, layouts, and typography pairings for your projects. This has personally helped me streamline my design process and inspire new creative ideas for my work.

On top of that, AI can analyze user behaviour and preferences, providing insights that can guide your design decisions. With this context around how users interact with your designs, you can create more intuitive and user-friendly experiences — ultimately improving the effectiveness of interactive design projects.

Embrace the Future

The future of design isn't about choosing between AI and human creativity; it's about combining the two to achieve great results. Embrace AI as a tool that complements your skills and enhances your potential. By focusing on your craft and using AI to handle routine tasks, you can stay ahead in a rapidly changing industry.

The key is to keep learning and adapting. Stay curious about new technologies, explore how AI can benefit your work, and continuously refine your skills. By doing so, you'll not only survive but thrive in the age of AI. Godspeed!

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