Product Design
Design a product that brings people a sense of AI from a psychological perspective
The 2023 AI boom is undoubtedly still fresh in everyone’s minds. Over the past year, we have been bombarded with a massive amount of AI products and information, and we have experienced some well-known AI products, such as using ChatGPT for Q&A and creating unique illustrations with Midjourney. We can all feel that these products have a strong “AI vibe.” On the one hand, this is due to their powerful AI features; on the other hand, it could be because they have special design elements that make us feel the AI presence visually and interactively. Today’s topic is about exploring how to design products with an even stronger AI sense.
Making product design “more AI”
An AI product should not only solve problems with its AI capabilities on a functional level but also evoke a sense of AI on a psychological level. This will maximize the product’s appeal to users, increase brand trust, and improve user retention. Here are several universal design elements that can help create a product with a strong AI vibe:
1. AI-vibe icons ✨
Since the launch of ChatGPT, its built-in shiny icon “✨” has become the latest standard in the design industry. As soon as this icon is displayed, users will automatically associate it with AI functionality, even without an explanation. Other similar icons include a snapping finger, a magician’s hat, and wand, etc.
2. Geometric Shapes
In terms of visual expression, adding some rounded geometric shapes can also help enhance the AI feel. If KOL Radar wants to change the icon in 2024, it can also consider following this design direction.
3. Gradient, halo, gloss, frosted glass effect, best paired with purple hues
Through uncommon but aesthetically pleasing colors and textures, users will feel special. Therefore, adding halo, gloss, and frosted glass effects, along with purple and gradient, can create a futuristic vibe.
Gradient effects not only make the interface appear more AI-driven but are also common elements in modern design.
Most commonly used colors include purple-black, purple-blue, and purple-pink, paired with gradient to enhance a high-tech feel.
4. Dynamically Generated Animation
Humans are easily captivated by dynamic images and can easily become fascinated and quickly form emotional connections.
Demonstrating how a function or mode can be used and understood by both people and AI through animation allows users to feel the sensation of a product “growing itself” and makes them appreciate the power of AI more.
In terms of product application, this can be applied to AI feature introductions or new product image videos, deepening users’ awareness even before they onboard.
5. Chatbots
In addition to the visual interface interaction design, if there is a robot participating in the interaction, users can better understand that there are AI elements involved. When they feel that the interface has someone who can understand and answer their questions, it will build a dependence on AI.
If the answers are satisfactory, it will be a positive bonus. On the contrary, if the answers are unsatisfactory, users’ perception of the AI in the product or feature will decrease.
Uncompromising AI Capability
To make users genuinely feel the presence of AI, the ability to solve problems with AI is the core.
Designing from a psychological perspective to influence users’ perception, if the product itself cannot properly solve issues, no matter how good the design is, it will be useless. This has been a common problem with products since the release of the GPT model.
Open-source or commercially available AI modules allow products to evolve. On the other hand, the inherent randomness and error rate of AI can be a double-edged sword, such as giving random responses, neglecting ethics. Perhaps this is where design can come into play, positively enabling users to understand the product and the changes that AI can bring.
In conclusion, visual and interactive elements impact emotional cognition, which when combined with rational cognition of functionality, forms an overall experience. An AI product manager needs to put efforts into both aspects to create AI products not only equipped with AI but also make users feel its presence.
