Redefining Design: The Impact of AI on the Designer’s Role

AI was a major focus at this year’s Config conference, signaling a significant shift for designers as Figma, a leading tool, continues to invest heavily in AI. This development raises critical questions for our field: How will AI shape our daily tasks? Will it unexpectedly impact roles from junior designers to senior leads? Many speakers at Config stressed, “AI is just a tool.” But is it? Or could it eventually reshape our roles and redefine what it means to design?

The Role of AI in Design

One of AI's key advantages in design is its potential to eliminate repetitive, non-creative tasks, freeing designers to focus on innovation. For example, Figma’s “rename components and layers” feature received widespread praise for simplifying an often-tedious process. Tasks like these, especially for junior designers, can detract from more meaningful creative exploration. By automating such processes, AI fosters deeper creative thinking.

However, not all AI tools were met with enthusiasm. For instance, Figma’s feature that auto-generates prototypes raised concerns about the risk of replacing designers. Yet, rather than fearing replacement, we could view AI as a collaborator, generating iterations that spark fresh ideas—similar to platforms like Dribbble or Mobbin, which inspire. This dynamic partnership with AI could amplify our creative potential rather than constrain it.

The Human Touch: Empathy and Patience

An important question is whether AI can ever genuinely replicate the human touch. While AI may handle tasks efficiently, it lacks the personal connection that defines our work. Designers go beyond interfaces—we empathize, listen, and adapt to user needs, shaping experiences that resonate emotionally. This is a dimension of our work that AI cannot authentically replicate.

At Config, Joyce Croft from NASA emphasized the value of flexibility, continuous learning, and collaboration. She likened designers to therapists, stressing that "being vulnerable builds trust" and encouraging us to see mistakes as growth. Navigating AI and other tech shifts requires adaptability and patience as we continue to create a genuine connection with users.

Balancing AI and Human Skills

Balancing AI and human skills is essential to enhance both efficiency and creativity. AI can streamline routine tasks, but it’s our role to infuse empathy, originality, and human insight into design. Cam Worboys' The Broken Promises of Design Systems highlighted the risk of compromising quality for speed. Cam noted that teams should receive “a recipe, not just ingredients,” to encourage intentional, creative work. By viewing AI as collaborative creative support, we empower designers to engage in inventive tasks, moving beyond monotonous patterns to foster fresh ideas and design experiences that stand out.

Conclusion

As AI continues to reshape the design landscape, finding the balance between technological efficiency and human connection is crucial. AI allows us to streamline repetitive tasks, but it’s our role as designers to maintain empathy, creativity, and personal connection with users.

• AI for Efficiency: Leverages automation to free designers for more meaningful work.
• Human-Centered Skills: Empathy, adaptability, and innovation remain irreplaceable strengths.
• Collaborative Balance: Utilizing AI thoughtfully can help us enhance creativity without sacrificing the human touch.

By embracing AI as a supportive ally, we can continue crafting experiences that resonate deeply and make technology feel more human-centered.