5 Strategies for Upleveling Your Design Career in this Crazy AI World

Your job isn’t ending. It’s evolving.

Not all is lost.

As someone in the design trenches since 1998, I’ve witnessed countless technological shifts transforming our industry. From the arrival of desktop publishing to responsive design to the current AI takeover, I’ve seen how these changes initially sparked fear before ultimately expanding what’s possible for creatives. I don’t buy into the fear-based story that we’re all going to be automated out of existence.

But here’s what I’ve learned. The designers who thrive aren’t those who resist change, they’re the ones who strategically adapt and leverage new capabilities to amplify their uniquely human abilities.

You don’t have to compete with AI, it’s here for us to collaborate alongside it.

While it can generate countless variations and execute with mind-boggling speed, it still lacks the human elements that make exceptional design forever impactful: taste, judgment, cultural awareness, strategic thinking, and the ability to connect emotionally with audiences.

So how do you evolve? How do you ensure your skills remain valuable and your career continues to grow?

I’ve identified five essential strategies to help you weather this transformation and…