I test the AI tools, design trends, and brand moves marketers are talking about, then tell you what holds up and what doesn’t. Written by the author of the bestselling The Visual Marketer, after 20+ years leading brand, creative, and digital experience marketing teams.
Designing in the AI Era: Change is Coming Sooner than Expected
People don't like change. And people really don't like hearing that change is coming for them against their will. This past weekend I posted on LinkedIn about how even Google results are torn on whether AI will replace graphic designers, and it led to a lot of conversation. Take a minute to read the post and let me know what you think. I'll probably expand on it in a future blog post.
This past week also saw a report by McKinsey that estimates that generative AI will achieve human levels of performance far earlier than originally predicted. The area that surprised me the most was Creativity. It was originally expected to reach high human potential between 2045-2065, and it's now down to 2025-2031. That's a huge jump! I recapped parts of the report with my thoughts. With the report findings, as well as feedback on the LinkedIn article, it's clear that many designers are in denial when it comes to AI. Designers need a wake up call on this subject. I want to help them be aware and preparted for when reality comes knocking at their door. If you know anyone that is like this, please point them in my direction.
AI is Your Co-Pilot. You are the PilotMicrosoft's VP of Design and Artificial Intelligence, was recently on a design podcast where he talked about how to best use generative AI with your designs. And he talks about WHY it's important for designers to learn and understand generative AI. Toyota Research Institute Reveals AI-Powered Vehicle Design ToolToyota Research Institute has introduced a generative AI tool that aids vehicle designers in generating design sketches through text prompts, enabling the exploration of creativity while ensuring efficient design development. This technique, which blends optimization theory with text-to-image generative AI, could expedite new design creation by quickly and efficiently balancing aesthetics and engineering considerations. Design Army Uses AI to Craft Innovative Brand CampaignDesign Army, a popular design studio, made use of AI technology to design an entire brand campaign for longtime client Georgetown Optician, highlighting the practical capabilities of AI in design. The successful and efficient completion of the project in just weeks rather than months, suggests a prominent role for AI in the future of design. Also, I'm now offering a 15-minute one-on-one to help you set up your generative AI systems. If you don't know where to get started, let's chat! Next week I'll be digging into why designers need to be worried about some employers or clients. HOW CAN I HELP YOU?
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Marketing by Design – Design thinking that makes marketing work
I test the AI tools, design trends, and brand moves marketers are talking about, then tell you what holds up and what doesn’t. Written by the author of the bestselling The Visual Marketer, after 20+ years leading brand, creative, and digital experience marketing teams.
09 November 2026 | Issue #139 In this issue: Marketing is your starting pitcher MPB2B Design quote of the week Marketing is Your Starting Pitcher In baseball, the starting pitcher is the star. Fans pick the night they buy tickets around who is on the mound, and an ace can make a game must-see and nearly guarantee a win. Teams pay for it. In 2026, a pitcher was the highest-paid player on 12 of 30 MLB teams, and Zack Wheeler leads the way at $42M. Middle relievers carry the game to the closer,...
26 October 2026 | Issue #138 In this issue: Creativity is less important than consistency Amazing real-world video effects Design quote of the week Why Consistency Beats Creativity in B2B Branding Your audience isn’t nearly as familiar with your brand as you are. And that’s a problem when you’re constantly changing it. Years ago, I worked with a CMO who had a habit of explaining our solution story to the marketing team. Over and over again. He’d stand at a whiteboard or one of the glass walls...
11 October 2026 | Issue #137 In this issue: Avoid these AI design tropes Don't use Muse if you like privacy Design quote of the week I Know You Used AI for Your Design You already know the em dash is a dead giveaway of AI writing (sorry, Ann Handley). Design has its own tells, and there are a lot of them. None of them is wrong on its own. A good writer can use an em dash on purpose, and a good designer can use any pattern below on purpose. They become a tell when they show up because nobody...