Should you use AI in your work?

Before discovering how AI could enhance my workflow, my experience with it was limited to everyday conveniences—using Google for web searches or asking it to play music in my home. My first meaningful interaction with AI came when a professor recommended Grammarly to help polish my grammar and catch typos. While I found it useful for professional communication, I often felt that its corrections stripped away some of my personality from my writing. Still, I embraced it as a helpful tool.

Writing has always been a passion of mine—I’m an avid reader and love to write when I find the time. That said, I’m far from perfect (I am human, after all). I’ve always taken pride in my work, excelling in high school English despite struggling with grammar, because we spent so little time focusing on it. Admittedly, my writing can be long-winded and occasionally redundant (thanks for pointing that out, AI!). And while I’m a bit of a perfectionist, my poor eyesight—and the bifocals I now need—mean I’m not immune to the occasional typo, especially in quick texts, so grammarly is an essential tool for me.

AI is undoubtedly here to stay, and its impact on the design industry is undeniable. The ability to produce stunning images in mere seconds has sparked important discussions about the future of creativity and craftsmanship. However, it’s crucial to recognize AI’s limitations—it still struggles to grasp the intricacies of human creativity and context. While AI has produced some impressive visuals by pulling from vast internet resources and the work of human talent, its creations can sometimes miss the mark. Have you ever seen an AI-generated human with feet for hands, limbs misplaced or overly exaggerated, almost comical grins? These quirks remind us that AI, for all its capabilities, isn’t quite ready to fully replace human artistry.

Image Above: My first experiments with AI in Canva during my internship earlier this year had me in fits of laughter. The image features a woman with an exaggerated, almost cartoonish smile, painting a wall with a bizarre tool that looks like it extends into extra-long fingers beyond her hand. In her other hand, she’s holding what appears to be a red ladder. To top it off, her arms are twisted in a way that resembles a straightjacket, with an additional arm seemingly sprouting from her back.

When and When Not to Use AI in Design: A Thoughtful Approach

As a designer passionate about innovation and craftsmanship, I’ve seen how AI is transforming the creative landscape. From enhancing workflows to inspiring new ideas, AI has become a powerful ally in the design process. But as with any tool, knowing when to use AI—and when to lean on human expertise—is key to delivering impactful results.
For potential collaborators or employers, this balance between leveraging AI and preserving the artistry of design is central to my approach. Here’s my perspective on when AI can amplify creativity and when a human touch is essential.

When AI Adds Value to Design Projects

1. Accelerating the Creative Process AI tools are invaluable for brainstorming and rapid prototyping. They allow me to explore multiple concepts quickly, ensuring the best ideas rise to the top while leaving more time to focus on the finer details that make a project stand out.

2. Streamlining Repetitive Tasks Repetitive tasks like resizing assets or formatting templates can slow down production. By letting AI handle these, I stay focused on strategic thinking and high-value creative work.

3. Enhancing User-Centered Design In UX/UI design, AI helps analyze user behavior, identify pain points, and refine interfaces. Combining this data-driven insight with my design expertise ensures every project delivers an exceptional user experience.

4. Supporting Accessibility Goals Accessibility is a cornerstone of great design. AI tools that test color contrast, suggest accessible layouts, or generate alt text help ensure that designs resonate with diverse audiences.

5. Meeting Tight Deadlines AI’s ability to generate placeholder content or visual drafts is a lifesaver for fast-paced projects. By using AI to kickstart ideas, I can meet deadlines without compromising on quality.

When Human Expertise Takes the Lead

1. Crafting Unique Brand Identities Every brand has a story to tell, and creating a distinctive visual identity requires more than algorithms. My ability to understand a client’s vision, values, and audience ensures that designs resonate on a deeper level.

2. Navigating Complex Contexts Design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about storytelling, emotion, and connection. AI can’t replicate the nuance and cultural understanding I bring to projects, especially when tailoring designs for specific audiences.

3. Delivering High-Stakes Results Projects requiring technical precision, such as detailed infographics or medical visuals, benefit from the meticulous care and attention that only human expertise can provide.

4. Building Relationships Through Collaboration Great design comes from collaboration. Whether I’m working with clients, team members, or stakeholders, the insights gained from human interaction inspire creative solutions that AI simply can’t replicate.

5. Ensuring Ethical Integrity In today’s design landscape, originality and ethical considerations are more important than ever. I’m committed to creating designs that respect intellectual property and stand apart from generic, AI-generated content.

My Philosophy: Innovation Meets Intention AI is an incredible tool, but great design is always grounded in human insight and creativity. By thoughtfully integrating AI into my workflow, I bring a balance of innovation and craftsmanship to every project.
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If you’re looking for a designer who values originality, efficiency, and collaboration, I’d love to work with you. Together, we can create designs that make a lasting impact.

Curious about how I approach design challenges? Let’s connect and discuss how I can bring value to your projects!


#AI #ArtificialIntelligence #WorkFlow #Streamline #GraphicDesign #BrandingExpert 

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