Design Is More Than an AI Prompt

On AI, design, and the human questions that shape a brand.

I’m going to be honest.

Professionally, this year has been really hard. With the rapid rise and constant upgrading of AI, design feels like it’s under threat. AI is surprisingly impressive, fast, and accessible. And now, many of the clients I love most, the dreamers with big hearts, big ideas but modest budgets, are turning to AI to meet their design needs.

I get it. When time or money is tight, it’s tempting to use a tool that gives you direct control and quick results. And in some ways, I’m glad. People who once couldn’t afford design now have a way to make their brands look more polished and personal. Accessibility like that is a beautiful thing.

But here’s the truth: it also makes me wonder if the work I love is still valued. I’ve heard it said we should just “work with AI” to stay relevant. But sometimes, it feels like the human side of design, the part that can’t be quantified, is being overlooked.

Here’s my counter-thought: if you can afford a designer, why still choose AI? Are the results the same as when you work with a human who can understand your values, your voice, and your vision, and translate that into design that feels alive?

AI can replicate aesthetics, but it can’t sit with you and ask:

• What change do you hope to create through your work?

• How do you want your brand to live in people’s hearts?

• Where does your vision meet something bigger: culture, creativity, or the natural world?

These are the conversations that shape identity. They require listening, intuition, and presence. No algorithm can replicate that.

DESIGN IS COLLABORATION

When I work with clients, design isn’t just about making things look good. It’s about creating space for clarity. Together, we uncover the unseen threads; the stories, values, and intentions that make a brand feel true.

That process is slow, intentional, and collaborative. It’s not something you can generate with a prompt or download in seconds.

SHOULD YOU HIRE A DESIGNER OR USE AI?

If you’re a business owner or founder, you might be wondering: should I just use AI instead of hiring a designer?

My answer is: it depends. If you need something quick and disposable, AI might serve you well.

But if you’re building something meaningful, something that reflects who you are and why your work matters, you deserve more than an algorithm. You deserve a process that is deeply human.

FINAL THOUGHTS

AI may be reshaping the landscape of design, but it hasn’t made the work I do irrelevant. If anything, it’s made the heart of it clearer.

Design isn’t just about visuals; it’s about listening, holding space, and translating values into something that feels alive and true. That kind of work can’t be automated, because it’s rooted in human connection, vision and understanding. Far from making my work obsolete, AI has reminded me of what design truly is: a process rooted in listening, intention, and trust. That’s not something an algorithm can replicate.


If you’re looking to build a brand that feels human, I’d love to help you create that. Email me on ariana@ofethr.com, or fill in the contact form.