Figma’s AI Tool: Enhancing Creativity or Threatening Designers’ Roles?

After having some time to think about it, I’ve collected my own thoughts about the divisive announcements of Config 2024. One of the most controversial additions this year was Figma’s new AI interface generator, integrated directly into the toolbar. This feature has sparked a debate (or often just angry words) among designers, raising questions about the future of our profession and whether this move constitutes a betrayal of the designer audience that helped the company flourish.

Figma’s “Make Design” tool lives in the toolbar next to all the other oft-used tools.

First, it’s important to recognize that the AI interface generator is not something designers should be overly concerned about. Think of it as taking an average of all the competitors in a space. This can be helpful to get an example and make suggestions for inclusions you may not have thought of, but it doesn’t replace anything extraordinary. The AI provides a starting point, an initial spark, or a suggestion, but it lacks the depth, nuance, and creativity that come from human intuition and experience.

What I see with any AI is that it gives you a head start. It offers an idea of where to begin and what to consider, but it will also raise the bar of mediocrity, making it even more important for designers to stand out. Similar to viewing competitors or browsing Dribbble, the AI generates a blurry and extremely generic sense of what a design should deliver, but without any real purpose or intent behind the design choices.

The AI interface generator is akin to using a service like HelloFresh. It hands you prepackaged and measured ingredients but doesn’t teach you how to cook. The result may look appealing, but it lacks the depth of understanding and craftsmanship that a seasoned chef — or designer — brings to the table.

Figma Make Design offers some basic options to augment the output. Is this all that we were doing before?

Despite the concerns, there are a few key points to consider:

1. **Augmentation, Not Replacement**: AI tools are designed to augment our abilities, not replace them. They can handle repetitive tasks, offer fresh perspectives, and free up our time to focus on more complex and creative aspects of design.

2. **Inspiration and Iteration**: AI can serve as a source of inspiration, helping designers to explore new ideas and iterate more quickly. By generating multiple design options, AI allows us to compare and refine our work more efficiently.

3. **Skill Enhancement**: Embracing AI can enhance our skill set, pushing us to stay ahead of the curve. Learning to leverage these tools effectively can make us more versatile and valuable as designers.

4. **Future of Collaboration**: AI can facilitate better collaboration between designers and non-designers, bridging the gap and making design more accessible to a broader audience. This democratization of design can lead to more innovative and user-centric solutions.

In any case, designers should absolutely be aware of how AI is impacting the creative industry. Here are two pieces from FastCompany about some of the implications:

1. AI is Going to Change the Design Profession, But Not Necessarily for the Worse explores how AI can be a beneficial tool for designers, potentially transforming workflows and enhancing creativity.
2. This is How Product Designers Can Thrive When AI Augmentation is Everywhere discusses strategies for designers to adapt and thrive in an environment where AI augmentation becomes ubiquitous.

Ultimately, it is crucial to remember that UI design is just one part of the full design process. Although that will surely give pause UI-focused designers, the full product encompasses far more than the visual interface, including user research, interaction design, and usability testing. AI might assist in generating UI components, but it cannot replace the comprehensive, empathetic approach required to create truly effective and engaging user experiences.

As we move forward, it’s essential to keep an eye on the evolution of AI involvement in design and consider emerging concepts like Generative User Interfaces (GenUI). These advancements will likely continue to shape the landscape, and staying informed and adaptable will be key to thriving in this dynamic field.

In conclusion, while the introduction of Figma’s AI interface generator has understandably caused some anxiety, it’s crucial to view this development as an opportunity rather than a threat. By leveraging AI to enhance our workflow, inspire our creativity, explore solutions faster, and elevate our skills, we can ensure that our role as designers remains not only relevant but indispensable. UI is only a part of the full design process, and as AI continues to evolve, so too must our approach to integrating these tools into our work. I’m optimistic about these changes and how they can keep designers focused on user outcomes.

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Update: Only a week later and Figma has already hit pause on their “Make Designs” tool because of “an issue caused by the underlying design system.” The tool is certain to return at some point, even if at first weakened. The design community will be fighting this battle for years.