I test the AI tools, design trends, and brand moves marketers are talking about, then tell you what holds up and what doesnβt. Written by the author of the bestselling The Visual Marketer, after 20+ years leading brand, creative, and digital experience marketing teams.
The New Normal? Settling for AI's "Good Enough" in the Workplace π
19 July 2023 | Issue #6 |
There is a popular meme making its way around the Internet where a designer dismisses the idea of losing their job to AI because it means clients would have to be able know what they want and then articulate it. I thought the same thing at first. I've spent decades doing revisions on projects because I gave the client exactly what they asked for. But then I built the After Design website and I paid attention to my thought process as I was working. If you've ever designed and built something for yourself (and I'm sure you have), it's a great feeling. You get to make every decision! You get to decide what's important and what's not. You know where you need to go the extra mile, and you know where you can cut corners. You call the shots. The same applies to when someone else is building their own designs, or ads, or a website, or whatever. These are the people who will have you do four rounds of revisions because they're paying for your time and expertise. But when it's their own time on the line, the phrase "good enough" will start to creep in. They'll realize it's not how they want to spend their time and suddenly "good enough" becomes justifiable because they're saving money. Not every boss/client is like this. But many are. I dig into it a bit more in my most recent blog post.
Changing careers can be very scary. I've slowly evolved my career over the years (and at one time I did a complete shift to product development, but then moved back to my comfort zone). The unfortunate reality is that some designers will need to evolve their careers because the industry isn't going to be able to support everyone. In this LinkedIn post, I talk about how AI will disrupt many careers, but designers are uniquely qualified for this moment.
Wix's New Tool Can Create Entire Websites From PromptsWix has released an innovative tool capable of building entire websites from user prompts, drastically simplifying the website development process.
βKeep readingβ Designers Sue Retailer Shein Over AI Rip-Offs of Their WorkSeveral designers have launched legal action against fast-fashion retailer Shein, accusing the company of using AI to replicate their unique designs.
βKeep readingβ Employers Leveraging AI to Reduce Gen Z WorkCompanies are increasingly using AI technologies to undertake tasks traditionally assigned to Gen Z workers, reducing their responsibilities.
βKeep readingβ 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 write about how designers can prove their worth. If you know anyone that might find this useful, let them know they should sign up now. HOW CAN I HELP YOU?
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Marketing by Design β 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 doesnβt. Written by the author of the bestselling The Visual Marketer, after 20+ years leading brand, creative, and digital experience marketing teams.
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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...