AI in Design

Why Original Thinking Still Matters

Design has always been at the core of human experience. What we like, dislike, use, or abandon often comes down to design. Products that are thoughtfully designed—simple, intuitive, and meaningful—tend to earn loyalty.

Think of Apple: its influence comes not just from technology but from design that feels natural and easy to navigate.

With the rise of AI, design has become even more important. Many people with ideas are now building products using AI, but too often these products end up looking the same—cluttered with similar purple-pink interfaces and generic layouts. This sameness is where designers have a chance to stand out. By doubling down on research and focusing on how design impacts and retains users, creators can make products that people actually remember.

The AI overload

We live in a time where everything around us uses AI. From websites to mobile apps, it’s becoming hard to tell products apart. Many are generated by giving the same prompts to the same models, producing near-identical outcomes.

In the race to adopt AI, we’ve risked forgetting that humans innovate. Machines only replicate.

I use AI myself to design and code, but the key question is not “Should we stop?” but rather:

Is using AI itself a problem?
Should we stop using it?
If not, what’s the right solution?

Is Using AI a Problem?

Yes and no. The real issue isn’t the technology but our dependence on it. If we let AI do all the thinking, we stop innovating. That leads to a market flooded with similar products solving the same problem in the same way.

Should We Stop Using AI?

Absolutely not. Avoiding AI would only put you behind those who use it effectively. AI can optimize workflows, automate repetitive tasks, and unlock new possibilities. The problem isn’t using AI—it’s not using your brain.

I rely on AI daily, and I recommend others do too. But only as a tool, not a crutch.

So What’s the Solution?

The solution is how we use AI. Start with your own thinking. Your brain draws on personal knowledge and experiences, and that’s what makes you unique. No dataset can replicate that.

Think First: Define the problem, sketch ideas, structure your thoughts.
Then use AI: Validate, refine and stress-test your ideas. Ask AI to play the role of a customer, critique your design, or suggest edge cases.
Stay original: Use AI as an amplifier, not a replacement, for your creativity.

This combination—human imagination + AI support—produces originality and impact.

Conclusion

AI is here to stay. The question is not whether to use it, but how. If you rely only on AI, you’ll blend into the crowd. If you think first, then use AI to sharpen and expand your ideas, you’ll create work that stands out.

Design is about people, not machines. Use AI wisely, but never outsource your originality.