Series
Design by AI
A practical series on building products with AI.
AI helps build. Designers make the calls.
5 parts · since October 2026 · latest
- 01 Using AI to design AI. “I use AI to design AI products. The useful part is not the model.” Read on LinkedIn (opens in a new tab)
Product context
PRD, transcripts, prototypes, benchmarks
Skill
Rules the AI reads first.
UX layer
Claude in Figma
Builds flows from design-system components.
Opus 5.5 via MCPWorklog
Decisions, sources, open questions. Context outlives the session.
Review and iterate
Designers, PMs and business heads review every flow.
people close the loopEvery round sharpens the skill’s UX layer.
- 02 Fix the system, not the output. “Don't just fix the output. Fix what the next version starts from.” Read on LinkedIn (opens in a new tab)
Fixing the output
Patch each screen. The next one breaks the same way.
123 patchesFixing the system
Fix it once in the checklist. Every screen after comes out right.
Checklist
- 03 Check, play, fix. “How I audit my prototypes now.” Read on LinkedIn (opens in a new tab)
1Check
Every path through the flow.
2Play
The sheet hides the title.
Title hiddenWelcome back
3Fix
Lower the sheet. The title clears.
Welcome back
- 04 Step, then step. “Why do you still design in Figma when AI can write the code directly?” Read on LinkedIn (opens in a new tab)Decisions made on purpose
Where decisions get made
Each layer is reviewed before the next one builds on it.
1reviewed Input PRD, calls, Slack2reviewed Define Problem, users, goals, KPIs3reviewed Benchmarks What good looks like4reviewed Flows + IA Moves and the bigger picture5reviewed UI What it feels like6reviewed Code If neededOne prompt skips all of this. The model fills the gaps with whatever it already knows.
- 05 One path first. “AI makes building faster. It also makes it easier to jump into solutions before the team agrees on the problem.” Read on LinkedIn (opens in a new tab)
One path first
Define together. Refine one path. Then expand.
1Define
Agree on the problem, who it’s for and the outcome.
- The problem
- Who it’s for
- The outcome
Everyone involved, not just design.
2Build one happy path
AI drafts the main journey first, not every screen.
3Refine together
I question it, give feedback and steer. AI iterates. Repeat.
YouAIfeedback next iteration v1v2v34Align
Review the refined path with the team before expanding.
One path first
Define together. Refine one path. Then expand.
1Define
Agree on the problem, who it’s for and the outcome.
- The problem
- Who it’s for
- The outcome
2Build one happy path
AI drafts the main journey first, not every screen.
3Refine together
I question it, give feedback and steer. AI iterates. Repeat.
You feedback → v1v2v3 ← next iteration AI4Align
Review the refined path with the team before expanding.
5Expand
Then add alternative paths, edge cases and the remaining states.