+ and what does that mean for the future of designers?
Today we're going back, all the way back to the month of March from this year and our newsletter posting #45! Subscribe here to our newsletter if you haven't yet! You will not be disappointed! Let's get to it...
Back for week 45. The new Ai tools and news keep coming. From Devin AI to AI robots and new tool features, it’s basically impossible to keep up. Best to focus on what we can control. So with that in mind, here’s what’s top of mind for me this week:
- Thoughts: How Complex Will Ai Tools Get? And What Does That Mean?
- Crystal Ball: Generative Ai is No Magic Wand for Product Design, a report by McKinsey
- Community: Putting Out a Call
01 / THOUGHTS
How Complex Will Ai Tools Get and What Does That Mean?
Midjourney recently rolled out their character reference feature. You can now take a character and generate different versions. Here I took the AIxC kindergartner to test out --cref:
Here’s another visual:
Cool factor aside, what stands out to me is how much more complex these tools are getting.
These tools get more powerful by adding more control capability for users. Added control makes these tools plug into our workflows much easier, allowing us to leverage our abilities even more.
It also means that these tools aren't as easy to drive as some like to think.
Every time a feature is introduced and more control is given to us, the tool requires more skill to use.
By the end of the year, a tool like Midjourney will require a much higher level of expertise to run than it does today. By next year, even more. It’s feeling a lot like Photoshop or Solidworks!
It seems to me that folks that can run these soon-to-be complex tools will be very valuable to any company looking to leverage AI in the near future.
If you're ready to jump in and learn to use Midjourney, consider checking out our courses here, Course/Collections & bundles. Simply put, we help beginners and industry leaders harness the power of Ai.
02 / CRYSTAL BALL
Generative Ai is No Magic Wand for Product Design
I recently read McKinsey’s report on generative AI for product design. It aligns with a lot of our findings in the work we’ve been doing with organizations, in that designers play a pivotal role in the future of Ai in design.
I recommend reading the full article here, but here are some key highlights:
- “Generative AI tools can shorten physical product design life cycles significantly and spark innovation, but the knowledge and discretion of design experts are necessary to mitigate potential pitfalls.”
- “In product research and design alone, McKinsey estimates gen AI could unlock $60 billion in productivity.”
- “While the methods for designing physical products may change, design experts are needed to ensure the meaningful use of the technology and delivery of business value.”
I especially found their “getting started” section relevant. A few of their suggestions:
- Set time aside for learning and exploration.
- Educate stakeholders on new processes.
- Upskill designers for future roles.
Again, you can give the full article a read here
03 / COMMUNITY
Putting Out a Call
Have to get back to work so that’s all I have for today.
Until next week,
Hector
p.s.
If we haven't met yet...Hi, I'm Hector, a seasoned industrial designer, brand builder, and entrepreneur, with 22+ years of diverse experience.
With AIxCreative, we help individuals and organizations harness the power of AI tools in order to:
- Enhance design output
- Improve business economics
- Leverage creative advantages
- Future-proof in a rapidly evolving environment
Our services are built on three foundational pillars: Advisory, Consultation, and Training, designed to provide confidence in your capabilities and help you thrive in the AI era. Contact us to learn more or set up a time to chat here. Also, check out our Ai Design courses here!