Six human skills that will future-proof your design career

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses how AI is impacting the design industry and how designers can leverage their unique human qualities to future-proof their careers.

🙋 Q&A

[01] AI's Impact on Design

1. What are the key points about how AI is impacting the design industry?

• AI is advancing rapidly, with the speed of innovation doubling every 6 months, compared to every 2 years previously (Moore's law)
• This rapid pace of AI advancement is creating a scenario where AI could automate many design tasks, such as designing app screens and illustrating user maps, faster than expected
• The article suggests that designers need to adapt and evolve their roles and skills faster than in the past to stay relevant

2. What are the potential downsides of AI-generated art and design that the article acknowledges?

• The article mentions that the TV segment on AI-generated art acknowledged the possible downsides of automation, though it does not go into specifics.

3. How does the article suggest designers should respond to the impact of AI?

• The article argues that since computers can never replace the "humanness" of designers, the key is for designers to leverage their unique human qualities and skills to future-proof their careers.
• Some of the human qualities and skills highlighted include:
  • Adaptability and "shape-shifting" to fill different roles as needed
  • Soft skills like empathy, relationship-building, and storytelling
  • Unique experiences, hobbies, and perspectives that can bring a human touch

[02] Evolving the Designer's Role

1. How does the article suggest designer roles and responsibilities will evolve with AI?

• The article suggests designer responsibilities may evolve to overlap more with product management or product ownership roles, as the "designed experience" will need to focus more on context rather than just pixels.
• Rather than just specializing in a specific design skill, the article advocates for designers to become "blob-shaped" - adaptable and able to flex their skills across adjacent disciplines as needed.

2. What are some of the "human" skills the article identifies as important for designers to develop?

• The article highlights skills like empathy, relationship-building, storytelling, and the ability to adapt one's skillset to different scenarios and client needs.
• It suggests these "human" skills will be valuable as AI automates more design tasks, and designers need to focus on what computers cannot replace.

3. How does the article suggest designers can future-proof their careers in the face of AI?

• The article argues that designers should focus on leveraging their unique human qualities and skills, rather than just reskilling.
• This includes developing adaptability, soft skills, and unique perspectives/experiences that can bring a human touch to design work.
• The article suggests designers who can tell compelling stories and provide value beyond just pixel-perfect outputs will be well-positioned for the future.