The AI Effect: Rethinking Design Workflows for Enhanced Productivity and Creativity

Abstract

Advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning are transforming how designers work with computers. This thesis explores the developing relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and design processes, focusing on how it impacts the creation of digital experiences. This study examines the impact of AI on design, highlighting how AI can improve efficiency and creativity alongside ethical challenges and the need to preserve human uniqueness in digital creations. It investigates AI's effects on design workflows, creativity, and the designer's evolving role through interviews, content analysis, case studies, and surveys. The aim is to understand AI's influence on designer productivity, innovation, and ethical issues. The need for this research stems from significant changes in the design field due to AI, focusing on optimizing design workflows within ethical and user-centric frameworks. This thesis contributes to discussions on AI in design, advocating for a thoughtful integration of AI. It is based on assumptions about design's digital transformation and AI's ethical implications, framing the inquiry into this intricate topic. With an emphasis on the collaborative intelligence model, wherein human and AI synergies enhance design outcomes, the study investigates the practical, ethical, and creative facets of AI in design. This research aims to empower designers to navigate the evolving AI landscape effectively, advocating for a future where AI enhances human creativity and problem-solving in the design of compelling digital experiences.