AI Redefines Taste and Design: A Revolution in Progress

The Illusion of Measurable Taste by AI

In the modern world, the concept of taste is increasingly approached as an entity that could be captured and analyzed using artificial intelligence. The underlying idea is that if enough data or opinions are gathered, a universal and correct answer might emerge. However, this simplistic vision does not do justice to the complexity of taste.

Taste, in reality, is deeply rooted in the ability to discern quality. This stems from continuous exposure to exceptional works, studying great historical achievements, and a nuanced understanding of elements such as proportion, typography, and composition. Designers who struggle to make firm decisions do not necessarily suffer from a lack of confidence, but rather from an absence of this internal repertoire of references. Yet, recognizing quality is only the starting point of a long process.

The Impossibility of Delegating Taste

Aurélie Radom

The rise of AI in design has led to a certification aimed at designers fatigued by the hype surrounding this technology. While AI does not transform every designer into a gifted expert, it fundamentally alters the way quality products are designed. This AI product design certification program offers three practical courses, a final project, and an accreditation that focuses on real and applicable skills. A detailed guide to the program is available for those wishing to deepen their knowledge.

Editor's Picks

• Dan Maccarone: Designers are preparing for a battle that may not be the right one. The current discussion remains centered on building, but is that really where the challenge lies?

• Adrian Levy: User experience (UX) is often perceived as a mere layer of orchestration. Yet, the work has not disappeared with the screen; it has simply evolved.

• Om Prakash: With the emergence of chat, voice, and agentic AI, the user interface is undergoing a transformation, thereby redefining the user experience.

The UX Collective positions itself as an independent publication that highlights often-overlooked design voices, encouraging designers to adopt a critical approach to their work.

The Museum of Human Web

• The Challenges of Design: This section is aimed at those deeply invested in their craft. Design veterans, those who have led teams for years, are well aware of the passion for craftsmanship. However, the costs associated with this passion, the daily sacrifices that design imposes, are less frequently discussed compared to engineering or product management. Here is a reflection on these costs and the reasons they persist.

• Those Who Will Thrive in the Age of AI: With each introduction of a new technology meant to save labor, some experts predict an easier life. Yet, reality shows that many use these technologies to intensify their pace of life.

The Harsh Realities of Design

The true challenges of design include elements such as:

• Taking significant risks in one’s career
• Publicly owning one’s creations
• Facing repeated rejections
• Finding the courage to persevere despite prevailing skepticism
• Accepting that one may sometimes disappoint others
• Watching peers progress while feeling stagnant

Discoveries of the Week

• Takuma Kakehi: The problem of Kintsugi, a metaphor for modern design.

• Zeeshan Khalid: When design becomes a standalone organization and AI redefines the creative process.

• Patrick Neeman: A guide to designing with web standards in the age of AI.

Tools and Resources for Designers

• Darren Yeo: The SAID framework, a method for reclaiming the design process.

• Christopher Balogun: Promoting sustainable design as the norm rather than the exception.

• Laís Lara Vacco: How AI has meaningfully integrated into the UX design workflow through thoughtful experimentation.