“blank canvas problem” figma says

raw and unformed feelings…
this should not be shared.

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Look, I love AI!

I lead and design products for AI & Data Solutions in one of the largest firms in the world.
I use them every day.
I’m one of the biggest advocates of AI.
I do NOT fear it. I leverage it.

I appreciate what Figma is trying to do here.
Good intentions to help designers build faster.
Make the design easier and accessible for everyone.
And of course profit from it meanwhile. It is a business after all and it is perfectly fine.

While I was watching Dylan generate detailed designs from a text prompt,
I started seeing aspiring designers getting attached to these tools and having everything easy, ready, quick… and a series of questions started to arise in my mind;

Are we going to see a generation of designers who lack resilience and love/appreciation for craft?

Designers who are easily hurt and seek help from AI tools every time a client raises a criticism for the proposed design?

Are these designers going to blame AI tools for the outcome and not take accountability for it?

Perhaps they will go back to the AI input and generate 20+ options for clients in 5 mins without thinking instead of talking to the client, understanding the product positioning and actually thinking/exploring/working for the best design solution?

Are we going to see lazier designers?
and weak, giving up, getting frustrated easily?

Dylan says ” This tool helps us to get past the blank canvas problem”
Blank canvas is one of the best parts of this work.
A new fresh start with endless possibilities.
Staring at the blank screen and reflecting on our past experiences, our conversations with the client, transforming these thoughts on screen pixel by pixel…
That’s how we truly understand the problem at hand and grow as designers.

You may say I’m being a romantic, trying to stay in the past.
No. Again, I build these tools and encourage everyone to leverage them.

However, yes, I have concerns.
Not about the efficiencies this technology brings,
Concerns about;

AI may raise a generation of weak-minded designers who lack an appreciation for the craft.

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It is 2:14 am, I should go to sleep.
I should not share this writing.
this is not meant to be for others but for me.
just thinking in writing…
thinking….
thinking…
…