Evolving UX: From Tactical to Strategic

Joining me, Paul, are Marcus Lillington and Jared Spool, and together we explore how UX needs to reposition itself, what AI really means for designers, and how to navigate the current UX job landscape without losing hope. We also touch on some interesting new tools from Figma and an exciting AI-assisted prototyping app that could change how we work.

App of the Week

This episode highlights two key apps making waves in the design space:

Figma Sites

Announced recently at the Figma conference, this new tool aims to let you publish websites directly from Figma, competing with players like Webflow and Framer. However, we share a healthy dose of skepticism about its current capabilities—especially its accessibility issues and lack of data entry support, which limits its usefulness beyond very simple sites.

Readdy

This AI-powered assisted coding tool stands out as a promising alternative. Unlike traditional prototyping in Figma, Ready lets you describe your UI in natural language, and it generates real HTML and CSS code that’s responsive and supports data entry. This means you can create interactive prototypes faster, test them in real-world conditions, and iterate with ease. It’s not about replacing designers but augmenting their productivity, and it offers a glimpse into how AI can support design workflows in practical ways.

The Future of UX, AI, and the Job Market

We begin by reflecting on the state of UX and where it’s headed, especially with AI’s rapid development changing the landscape. Jared shares his ongoing work guiding UX professionals to unlock their full potential within organizations, emphasizing the gap between what UX can deliver and what’s often realized. This disconnect often results from a lack of awareness or understanding within teams, and Jared’s leadership sessions aim to close that gap.

AI’s Impact on UX Design

We delve into AI tools emerging in design, focusing particularly on generative AI and assisted coding. While AI is often hyped as a threat to designers, we agree it’s more of a productivity booster than a replacement. AI lets us do more with less effort, but it doesn’t eliminate the need for thoughtful, skilled UX design. The analogy Jared uses — comparing AI’s rise to previous tech shifts like blacksmiths transitioning to new materials — reminds us that professions evolve rather than vanish overnight.

We discuss the limitations of current AI design tools, such as Figma Sites, which lack the sophistication needed for anything beyond very basic websites. On the other hand, Readdy offers a more practical approach by generating actual working code through conversational commands. It’s a step forward but still not a magic bullet. The process requires human input, iteration, and adjustment, which is where UX professionals continue to add value.

An interesting angle comes from the critique of AI as reinventing the command line — a somewhat clunky, text-based interface for describing complex UIs. This makes it tricky to fully express the nuances of design and iterate quickly, especially in production environments where prototyping demands fast, precise changes.

The UX Job Market Reality

Turning to the job market, Jared offers a clear-eyed analysis: although there are more UX jobs available now than ever before, there are also far more UX professionals competing for them. The result? Overcrowded job listings and intense competition, especially for junior roles. The industry isn’t shrinking; rather, it’s saturated.

He points out that the issue isn’t job scarcity but a mismatch between experience levels and job requirements. Many bootcamp graduates enter the market with limited experience, and companies often prefer hiring senior candidates to junior ones due to cost efficiency and immediate impact. For those struggling to find work, Jared advises gaining real-world experience by volunteering on meaningful projects with tangible outcomes, like improving a local charity’s website to boost adoption rates.

For senior professionals, the key is precision: tailoring applications meticulously to each job posting and clearly demonstrating how your skills match the role. Generic resumes won’t cut it when hiring managers sift through hundreds of applicants. This targeted approach greatly improves the chances of landing interviews and offers.

Looking Ahead: Will AI Replace UX?

We debate an intriguing prediction by Jakob Nielsen that many UX battles are “won” and that AI might replace human interaction with websites entirely, as AI agents fetch and personalize content for users. While fascinating, we question the commercial and practical realities. Advertisers still rely on website visits for revenue, and user experience involves more than information retrieval; it’s about connection, context, and trust.

We emphasize the enduring importance of educating organizations about real UX issues, including accessibility and ethical design topics that remain under appreciated despite technological advances.

Final Thoughts

The conversation wraps on an optimistic note: despite challenges, UX as a profession is robust, filled with opportunity, and evolving with new tools and methods. The future may be uncertain, but it’s far from bleak. Embracing AI as an aid, not a threat, and focusing on building relevant experience and clear communication skills will serve UX professionals well.

Marcus Joke

To lighten the mood, Marcus closes with a classic:

“I went to a zoo and saw a baguette in a cage. Apparently, it was bred in captivity.”

Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode. Whether you’re grappling with AI’s role in design or navigating a tough job market, we hope this conversation gives you clarity and confidence to move forward. See you next time!

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