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Designing AI products when the path feels blurry 🤯
When I first started working on the UX for a new AI product, I thought, "How hard could this be?"
Spoiler: it’s hard.
AI UX design isn’t like designing your typical app or website. It’s a whole different beast.
The workflows feel ambiguous, the interface options are endless, and how the system will function as a whole can feel… well, blurry 😵💫
The challenges go beyond just pretty interfaces or smooth user flows. You’re often working with systems that adapt, predict, or even make decisions—things users might not fully understand or trust yet.
Your job isn’t just about usability; it’s about helping people feel confident using something inherently complex and sometimes unpredictable.
For example: Imagine designing an AI-powered tool that suggests actions based on user behavior.
- How do you make sure the suggestions feel helpful and not invasive?
- Or what if the system gets it wrong?
Suddenly, you’re not just a designer; you’re a translator between tech that’s "smart" and users who don’t want to feel dumb.
These aren’t just abstract problems; they directly impact adoption, trust, and the product’s success. The stakes are high, which makes it even more frustrating when you feel stuck.
If you’re in the same boat, don’t worry; it’s normal to struggle. Why? Because designing for AI products is still new territory.
There are 3 big reasons why you might feel stuck:
- You don’t fully understand the system yet.
- You don’t have much (or any) experience with AI design.
- You’re diving in without a clear approach.
Let’s break these down and get you unstuck 🧩
1. You lack a holistic understanding
Before you can design, you need to understand the system inside and out. Without that foundation, you’re designing in the dark.
Here’s how to fix that.
Talk to the people who know the product best. Set up stakeholder interviews with:
- Engineers → They’ll outline tech constraints and possibilities.
- Product Managers → They’ll explain the business case and product goals.
- Customer Success → They know your customers’ pain points better than anyone.
Your goal? Piece together the big picture. Ask yourself:
- How does the product work?
- What’s realistic?
- What problem are we solving for users?
The more you dig, the clearer the system becomes.
2. You lack experience with AI UX
Maybe you’re new to designing AI products. Or you’ve used AI tools before, but haven’t built one yourself. That’s okay—every pro starts as a beginner.
Here’s what you can do today:
- Study common AI workflows → Use resources like Teardown AI to see how others are tackling similar challenges.
- Explore UX patterns → Check out Mobbin to find trends in AI-driven designs.
- Spy on competitors → Sign up for their products and audit their UX. (Reverse engineering is underrated!)
The goal here is simple: build your knowledge quickly. You’ll start to see patterns that can guide your own work.
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3. You lack a clear design approach
It’s tempting to jump straight into designing screens—especially if you’re under pressure to deliver. But trust me, that’s a fast track to chaos.
Here’s a better way:
- Zoom out first. Map out the system’s key use cases. Get a high-level view before diving into details.
- Use Dan Winer’s See/Do approach. For every screen or component, ask yourself:
- What can the user SEE?
- What can the user DO?
This helps you understand the journey before creating the interface.
When you take a step back to think holistically, your designs will feel intentional—not rushed.
Final thoughts
If designing for AI feels overwhelming, remember: you’re not alone. This is still uncharted territory for most designers.
By taking time to understand the system, learning from what’s already out there, and following a clear approach, you’ll build something that actually works—not just looks good.
AI UX isn’t easy, but it’s an exciting challenge. So take a deep breath, grab your favorite design tool, and start piecing it all together.
You’ve got this 💪
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