Top AI TOOLS You MUST KNOW in 2024

How I Leveraged AI to Level Up My Design Career in 2024

6 min readJan 29, 2024

AI’s Impact and How to Thrive Despite Disruption

As a UI designer in 2024, I’ve learned to embrace AI as a creative partner rather than fear it as a job-stealing monster. By integrating the latest AI tools into my workflow, I’ve been able to work faster, smarter and stay ahead of the competition. In this article, I’ll share the techniques and resources that have allowed me to leverage AI to new heights in my design career. From brainstorming ideas to creating polished deliverables, AI has become an indispensable asset in my creative process.

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Upscaling Images with Ease Using Upscale

As designers, we often have to work with low-resolution images that don’t quite cut it for professional use. Rather than painstakingly tweaking images by hand, I now use the free AI tool Upscale to instantly enlarge images without compromising their quality.

After uploading an image to the Upscale website, I simply choose the upscaling type and desired size. With just one click, Upscale’s advanced AI algorithm goes to work enhancing the image through deep learning techniques. The result is a high-resolution version ready for mockups and presentations.

Upscale has saved me countless hours that I would have previously spent manually enlarging pixelated images. Its user-friendly interface and customizable options make it my go-to for all my image upscaling needs.

Finding the Perfect Color Palette with Ease Using Chroma

One of the most time-consuming parts of the design process is nailing down a visually appealing color palette. I used to waste hours obsessively tweaking color combinations until I discovered the AI-powered web tool Chroma.

Chroma’s ingenious interface allows me to intuitively build a color palette through the simple act of selecting colors I like. After choosing 50 of my favorite hues from Chroma’s vast library, the tool’s algorithms analyze my selections and generate endless palette options to browse and customize.

With Chroma, I create in minutes what used to take me hours. It’s become an indispensable resource for quickly exploring different color schemes at the start of each new project.

Effortlessly Pairing Fonts Using Fontjoy

The right font pairing can make or break a design. I used to rely solely on my own trial-and-error to find complementary fonts, which often resulted in a lot of wasted time and unsatisfactory results.

Now I entrust the first phase of the process to Fontjoy’s AI capabilities. With just one click of the “Generate” button, Fontjoy creates a new set of font pairings tailored to my needs. I can then easily refine the pairings using Fontjoy’s intuitive editing tools.

Because Fontjoy draws from a vast font library, I’m able to experiment with diverse options I may not have considered. This gives my designs an edge that catches the viewer’s eye. Fontjoy has been a game changer for how efficiently I develop designs with typographic impact.

Streamlining Presentation Design with Gamma

Creating visually compelling presentations is a key part of my workflow. Rather than starting from scratch each time, I now save hours of effort by using the AI presentation tool Gamma.

After typing in my presentation topic and keywords, Gamma’s algorithms get to work generating an entire presentation deck complete with written content, images and graphic elements.

Gamma’s AI capabilities allow me to instantly conceptualize and create presentations in a fraction of the usual time. Its dynamically generated content and designs are the perfect starting point that I can then tweak according to my own creative vision.

Generating Design Assets in a Flash Using Canva

Even with years of design experience, I still find myself wasting precious time on routine tasks like making logos, ads and social media posts. With Canva’s recently added AI features, I can now instantly generate polished design assets for any need.

Within Canva’s Magic Suite section, tools like Magic Brand and Magic Media enable me to simply describe an asset I need and Canva’s AI will create tailored, high-quality options in seconds. Whether I need an eye-catching Instagram story, minimalist logo or banner ad, Canva’s AI takes care of the heavy lifting while I focus on bigger picture creative challenges.

Automating Mundane Design Tasks with Figma Plugins

As amazing as design tools have become, certain repetitive tasks still drain my productivity and creativity. Lately I’ve found relief through Figma plugins that automate the busywork and empower me to focus on big ideas.

For instance, Magician turns my text descriptions into stunning visual assets with just a click. Fig GPT helps me quickly rephrase, rearrange and expand text passages. Wireframe Designer instantly builds app wireframes from my typed descriptions. And Avatar Generator creates customizable avatar images tailored to any project needs.

By integrating these time-saving plugins into my Figma workflow, I bypass the drudgery and maintain a steady flow of creativity throughout a project.

Getting a Creativity Boost from AI Writing Tools

Even as a seasoned pro, I still struggle with writer’s block from time to time. Recently, I’ve started using AI writing tools like ChatGPT and Rytr to reinvigorate my creative process when I feel stuck.

I’ll describe the type of content I need, whether it’s a website caption or blog post, and let the AI tools provide unique starting points I can expand on. The fresh perspective gives me new ideas I likely wouldn’t have considered on my own.

Though I still craft the final product, prompts and passages generated by AI writing assistants help me break through creative ruts and develop content that truly engages audiences.

Leveraging ChatGPT for Design Feedback and Ideation

As useful as AI design tools are, I’ve learned some of the biggest benefits come from conversational platforms like ChatGPT. Within an ongoing chat, I can access on-demand feedback and guidance tailored to my specific needs.

For instance, when I’m unsure how to approach a website layout, I’ll describe the project details to ChatGPT which then provides targeted layout suggestions. Or if I’m stuck on a certain UI element, I’ll prompt ChatGPT to offer case studies and design considerations.

ChatGPT’s conversational nature helps me think through challenges and get an extra set of virtual eyes on my work. The AI’s broad knowledge base and analytical skills have become an invaluable resource for taking my work to the next level.

Crafting Standout Job Application Materials with AI

In the competitive job market, having standout application materials can be the key to landing your dream design role. Thankfully, AI-powered platforms like Resume Worded now enable me to create polished resumes and LinkedIn profiles that catch recruiters’ eyes.

After uploading my documents to Resume Worded, the AI provides personalized feedback and suggestions tailored to my experience level and field. I’m able to refine my materials to align with the latest trends and best practices recruiters look for.

For important roles, I’ve also started using ChatGPT to craft tailored cover letters and even prepare for interviews by simulating common questions. With AI, I present my skills and experience in the best possible light for each opportunity that comes my way.

The Future is Now: AI is Here to Stay

Just a few years ago, I never imagined AI would become such an integral part of my creative process. But the tech has improved by leaps and bounds, and I’ve learned firsthand how it can augment (not replace) uniquely human skills like strategy, imagination and empathy.

While AI will no doubt continue advancing, I’m confident that professionals who embrace it as a collaborative tool will thrive. Creative fields are constantly changing, and those who adapt to leverage new technologies will stay ahead.

By integrating the latest AI into my workflow, I’ve seen my productivity and skill level surge over the past year. I’m now creating my best work yet in a fraction of the time thanks to my new virtual creative partner. While the future promises even more revolutionary AI capabilities, the time to start leveraging it is now.

I hope sharing my experience gives you ideas for how to begin boosting your own career with artificial intelligence. As technology, tools and techniques keep advancing, there’s never been a more exciting time to be a designer. The possibilities are truly endless when we open ourselves up to new partnerships and potential.