- AI
- Design
AI and human input: the future of product design is collaborative
December 8 — 2023
Product design is a harmonious blend of art and science.
Product design is the practice of crafting technology to serve the needs of individuals, putting people first. Simply put, it's about making technology work for people, not the other way around. This core principle is the linchpin to ensuring the happiness of users and the success of your product or service. By identifying and addressing user needs, designers can create relevant, usable, and possible solutions for the target audience. Well-executed design goes unnoticed; its true impact only becomes apparent when it falls short.
The importance of a good brief
The success of a product and the team working on it is usually related to the quality of the brief. It encapsulates the project's goals, scope, expectations, and constraints, aligning all stakeholders and team members around a common vision. A well-crafted brief not only saves time and resources by minimizing misunderstandings, it also ensures that the outcome effectively meets the client's objectives.
It's a powerful tool for clarity and accountability, and without it, projects risk drifting off course, leading to miscommunication, delays, and potentially unsatisfactory results.
If an AI improves UX, but no one notices the change, is the experience any better?
Generative Artitifical Intelligence is not confined to simply executing our commands. AI has become an immeasurable tool in problem-solving, idea generation, and innovation, providing new solutions for businesses.
If you limit AI to straight forward tasks (task automation, A/B Testing, mockup generation, content generation and product validation) the value add should be a clear acceleration of your process. However, there is still a risk of over-relying on data, stifling creativity, generating more cookie-cutter designs, or missing opportunities to capture qualitative aspects such as emotional responses. These missteps can probably be avoided if we just approach AI differently. If tools like ChatGPT, Figma & Figjam are capable of creating complete flowcharts, wireframes, accessibility validation, ui mockups, (and much more) of your product, then, are they really just a tool?
AI and human ingenuity in design alchemy:
In the alchemy of design, where art meets science and human creativity dances with artificial intelligence, true magic unfolds. From the foundational power of a well-crafted brief to AI’s subtle enhancement of user experiences, the essence of product design lies in collaboration. Let's not confine AI to the realm of tools; let's embrace it as a dynamic partner in our creative endeavours. Remember, it's not just about making technology work for people but about orchestrating a symphony in which human creativity, AI insights, and thoughtful design briefs harmonize.
If a great digital product is a harmonious blend of art and science, we should expect our teams to have the same balance.