UX Collective | Medium
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Design is a conversation
The author argues that the word "design" is incredibly broad, encompassing everything from simple plans to complex strategies. They propose a coffee table book filled with 1,234 definitions of design to illustrate its vastness. Despite some believing the term has lost meaning, the author advocates for holding onto its depth and specificity, especially with the rise of AI. They criticize the overused and simplistic term "vibe," contrasting it with the rich human experience that "design" can represent. The author defines design as a conversation, involving the interplay of business, technology, and users, as well as internal thought processes. AI is now a new voice in this conversation, acting like an intern, editor, and brainstormer. The key challenge is not whether AI joins the conversation, but whether humans remain good listeners and discerning choosers of which voices to heed. Ultimately, humans are complex beings with unpredictable experiences, while AI is merely an algorithmic reflection of information. Designers are connectors of meaning, and their "vibes" are valuable when fostered through meaningful conversations.