How AI design tools are changing the design process… for the better?

Unlimited Possibilities

Without relying on a developer or being limited by certain software, there were suddenly no constraints. My designs could be anything. A truly blank slate. No more chains holding us down. This is what we wanted, right?

But instead, I found myself wondering where to start. With no problem to solve, I was faced with a new question: what do I actually want to design?

Back to the Basics

I went back to the basics. Laptop down, pen and paper out. Scribbling ideas, sketching prototypes, and noting down whatever came to mind. I went for walks to give space for ideas to grow, bouncing thoughts off my fiancée, to her dismay, until I had a few directions to explore.

In my day-to-day, I rarely make time for this part of the process. With deadlines looming and the awareness of how long it takes to design, build prototypes, and iterate, that creative breathing room often disappears. AI is starting to give some of that time back, freeing us up to spend more time in the idea phase as execution becomes faster with every new Ai design tool.

The Build

With no problem to solve, this became a project focused purely on creating an experience. I started with some basic designs in Figma and then went to work, partnering with Figma Make to iterate and refine until everything felt right.

This wasn’t just a case of throwing mud at the wall to see what sticks. It took around twenty or more re-prompts to get the designs working how I’d imagined. Along the way, the AI made changes and suggestions I hadn’t considered, improving the functionality in unexpected ways.

I could quickly test concepts, make adjustments, and pivot without being scolded by the development team for constant changes. My final concepts:

The Client Calculator

A tongue-in-cheek calculator designed to put a price on those sneaky client requests that eat up time and energy. It serves as a reminder to protect your value and highlights why having a clear scope of work is essential. Because “just one more tweak” always costs more than it seems. Check it out for yourself: Client Request Calculator

Pixel Putt Mini Golf

For those behind the desk but dreaming of the golf course, here’s a fun little mini-game to sneak in some putting practice. Just try not to get stuck in a bunker or lost in the pond.

Built with a love for old-school retro games, it’s a simple idea with a randomly generated course for hours of distracted fun. Think you can sink it under par? Try it for yourself: Pixel Putt Mini Golf.