By: Lute Chongo

The rise of design-focused AI tools has made creating designs faster and more seamless. Tools such as v0.dev, Lovable, Builder.io, and UX pilot have made it easy for almost anyone to design and even develop a platform. However, this convenience has led to a high level of similarity in aesthetics. More importantly, not enough thought goes into why a design looks the way it does, whether users find it useful, or if they can complete a task from A to B effortlessly.

That’s why, even though AI can assist with design and development, we can’t, and hopefully will never, run away from the human touch. By that, I mean thoughtfully considering why elements are placed in certain ways, how they function, and how they support the user experience.

To avoid what I like to call the “AI aesthetic,” here are a few tips to help your designs stand out, remain user-centred, and establish you as a designer or developer who truly adds value.

Tip 1: Still Do Your Research (Always)

AI can not interview your users, observe their frustrations, or understand real-world contexts. Research helps you uncover what users actually need, not just what looks trendy. However, when given context, AI can help you come up with questions to fill gaps that you miss or overlook. Ask questions like:

• What’s the user trying to accomplish?
• Where do they get stuck?
• What annoys them in similar products?

Sometimes the solution is simple, like moving a button or adding a label, not a full aesthetic overhaul.

Tip 2: Use AI for Structure

AI is great for generating layout ideas or quick wireframes. I’m old-school and love sketching by hand, but AI can help you speed up early-stage prototypes and give clients something functional to review. 

It’s especially useful when timelines are tight. But remember, this is just the starting point. Your real value as a designer comes in refining, adjusting, and aligning everything with human needs and behaviour.

So let it inform you, not be the end product. That leads to Tip 3.

Tip 3: Refine. Then Refine Again.

Once your research, wireframes, and flows are approved by stakeholders and align with user insights, it’s time to add personality. This is where you differentiate your design from a generic AI output. It is where human creativity shines.

Use your creativity to:

• Choosing meaningful colours and effects
• Adjusting spacing, alignment, hierarchy (this is my favourite!)
• Adding smooth interactions or micro-animations where useful

A well-designed product doesn’t just enable users to complete tasks smoothly; it makes them enjoy the process.

Great design also improves user retention. Think of the “Aesthetic-Usability Effect” in UX principles: if it looks good, users perceive it as easier to use.

Tip 4: Test on Real Humans, Not Just Your Screen

Even the prettiest UI fails if users get confused. Before finalising designs:

• Share with actual users (even 5 people is enough for a start)
• Watch them perform common tasks
• Note where they pause, get stuck, or hesitate

AI cannot measure user frustration or facial expressions, but you can. Testing reveals insights no algorithm can predict.

Bonus Tip:

Use AI for UX Writing (Smartly)

Design is not just visuals; words are a key part of the user experience. If copywriting is not your strength, AI can help you. Here is how:

• Rewrite cold text into friendlier copy e.g “Welcome Back” can change to “Hey Lute! Ready to continue where you left off?”
• Turn “Submit” into “Let’s Get Started”

Better words = better connection + more user action.

Resources for Better Design Inspiration 

Here are some places to get design inspiration:

1. mobbin.com  – Real-world mobile/app UX patterns
2. land-book.com   – Best website landing pages
3. awwwards.com  – Award-winning digital products
4. a1.gallery  – for web design inspiration
5. icoon.co  – free 3D illustrations, icons & more

AI is changing the way we design, but it shouldn’t change why we design. Tools can generate layouts and speed up workflows, but they can’t generate empathy or replace human intention. Great design will always be about people, how they feel, think, and interact. Therefore, when we combine AI efficiency with human insight, we don’t just create beautiful screens; we create meaningful experiences.