AI Will Replace These Designers – Will You Be One of Them?

Summary

In this video, the speaker explores how AI will impact various design careers, assessing their vulnerability with the 'Dodo Bird Index.' Roles like production designers and illustrators are at high risk of being replaced, while brand designers and creative directors are more resilient due to their human-centric skills. The video offers advice on adapting to the AI era, such as building client relationships, developing a unique style, and using AI as a co-pilot. Ultimately, designers are encouraged to embrace AI, stay relevant, and focus on the personal and creative aspects that machines can't replicate.

Takeaways

• 😀 AI will replace some design roles, but not all. It’s about which designers will be affected, not if AI will replace them.
• 😀 The 'Dodo Bird Index' helps categorize design roles based on how vulnerable they are to AI automation, ranging from 1 (invincible) to 5 (extinct).
• 😀 Freelance designers are more adaptable to AI advancements and have a better chance of surviving if they embrace AI tools as co-pilots.
• 😀 Production designers, especially in fields like social media design, are at high risk of being replaced by AI and templates due to the repetitive nature of their work.
• 😀 Brand designers who focus on strategic branding and storytelling will continue to be valuable, but low-cost logo design jobs are increasingly vulnerable to AI.
• 😀 Illustrators face significant risk, as AI can quickly replicate their styles, reducing the demand for traditional illustration jobs.
• 😀 Creative directors are safe from AI because their role involves complex problem-solving, managing different stakeholders, and handling creative direction, all of which are too messy for AI to fully replace.
• 😀 UI/UX designers must adapt to AI by leveraging it for tasks like user testing and research, but their strategic roles will remain safe if they embrace AI as a tool for improvement.
• 😀 Print and packaging design is less affected by AI, but AI will support certain aspects, like creating catalogs more efficiently.
• 😀 To protect yourself from AI job replacement, it’s essential to focus on relationship-building, developing a unique personal style, and becoming adept at using AI tools to enhance your work.

Q & A

What is the main point of the video regarding AI's impact on design careers?

The main point of the video is that AI will undoubtedly affect design careers, but the impact will vary. Some roles, like production designers and illustrators, are at high risk of being replaced or significantly altered, while others, like creative directors, are more secure due to the human-centric nature of the work.

What is the 'Dodo Bird Index' and how is it used?

The 'Dodo Bird Index' is a scale used to assess the vulnerability of different design careers to AI. A rating of 5 means the role is likely to go extinct, while a rating of 1 indicates the role is relatively immune to AI disruption, much like a tortoise.

Why are production designers more vulnerable to AI?

Production designers are vulnerable because their work often involves executing predefined briefs and templates, tasks that AI can handle quickly and efficiently. AI and template tools can generate multiple design variations rapidly, reducing the need for human involvement in this type of work.

How does the role of a freelance designer differ from that of a production designer in terms of AI impact?

Freelance designers are less likely to be fully replaced by AI because their work involves more creative thinking, client interaction, and problem-solving. While AI can assist with certain tasks, freelancers who embrace AI as a co-pilot will be better positioned to adapt and succeed.

What advice is given to brand designers to stay relevant in the age of AI?

Brand designers are advised to embrace AI tools as assistants rather than competitors. Those who work on high-value branding projects that involve deep client interaction and storytelling will remain relevant. However, low-cost logo designers, particularly those on platforms like Fiverr, are at risk of being replaced by AI.

What does the speaker suggest illustrators should do to survive in the AI-driven design world?

Illustrators are advised to develop a unique style that AI cannot easily replicate. Additionally, building strong client relationships and offering personalized artistic services will give illustrators a competitive edge, allowing them to survive despite AI advancements.

Why is the creative director role considered relatively safe from AI?

The creative director role is considered safe because it involves managing complex projects with multiple moving parts, including stakeholders, clients, and creative teams. This messy, human-centric aspect of the role makes it difficult for AI to replace, even though AI can assist with research and mood boards.

How is AI affecting UI/UX design, and what is the outlook for this field?

AI is impacting the UI/UX field by automating tasks like user testing and basic design decisions, especially in junior roles. However, senior roles that involve strategic thinking, user research, and aligning designs with business goals remain safe. UI/UX designers must adapt by embracing AI tools and continuously improving their skills.

What is the outlook for print and packaging designers in the age of AI?

Print and packaging designers are less impacted by AI than other design roles. While AI will make tasks like catalog production faster and more efficient, the tangible, real-world connection in print design is something AI cannot replace. Print designers are considered 'Alligators'—resilient but evolving.

What are some key strategies designers should adopt to protect themselves from AI disruption?

Designers should focus on relationship building, developing a personal style, and embracing storytelling. AI is good at delivering predefined work, but designers who understand the 'why' behind their projects and foster strong client connections will be more resistant to AI disruption. Also, adopting AI as a co-pilot will help designers do more with less.