Design Process & AI Approach

“Time isn’t the main thing, it’s the only thing”
Couldn’t have said it better myself, Miles.

My process has always prioritized speed, clarity, and impact, but in recent years, it’s evolved to integrate generative AI as a strategic lever. I use it to deepen research, sharpen synthesis, and accelerate every layer of the design cycle. But good design still starts with good thinking. Here’s my typical approach:

🤔 Align on the problem we’re trying to solve with leadership

📚 Read about the space, conduct research & competitive analysis, focused on market gap & target audiences

🗣 Engage with potential users via surveys & interviews, prioritizing surveys & screeners to optimize for expenses

⚖️ Frame the opportunity by defining the “dream product” vs. the minimum lovable version and shape the scope

🧠 Put awesome ideas for later in a backlog, prioritized by impact, effort, and validation potential

🧪️ Create quick low to mid-fi wireframes, prototype, and test ideas, copy, and flow

🗣 Review w/ team, iron out issues, & remove unnecessary complexity for content clarity

👩‍🎨 Upgrade to hi-fi UI with modular system components (reusable design system = consistency & speed)

🎯 Document structured specs, track feedback, and test implementation to ensure outcomes match intent

⏭ Use learnings & leadership stakeholder feedback to refine the next critical feature or improve the system

For example, this process scaled to 62 user stories across 12 epics in under a year at Weavechain.

📁 My Toolkit Includes

  • Competitive research, synthesis decks, journey maps

  • User research - surveys, interviews, focus groups, and workshops

  • Structured user story spreadsheets

  • Meeting agendas, decision logs, and structured docs

  • Living sitemaps, flows, and Figma files

“None of us is as good as all of us”
Ain’t that the truth, Ray.

The most critical part of any process isn’t in the deliverables, it’s in the collaboration. I prioritize strong partnerships with engineers to:

  • Share early ideas for feasibility so we identify low-hanging fruit that unblocks momentum and scope heavier lifts

  • Maintain consistent annotation patterns and versioning systems so engineers are unblocked and know what’s ready

  • Try to put everyone in the best mood possible & ensure we all have what’s needed to get our best work done =)

✨ Generative AI in My Process: Clarity, Speed & Insight

I use GenAI as a co-pilot to help reduce busywork, deepen thinking, and accelerate delivery. Here are a few ways:

  • Generating summaries of articles, makes insights, or creating deep dive research lists

  • Learning niche concepts in AI/ML, Finance, Data Infrastructure, Audio Engineering, etc

  • Transcribing & synthesizing qualitative input

  • Drafting & refining content for realistic wireframing

  • Supporting early branding or UI brainstorming and creating AI imagery for wireframes or quick mockups

I stay vigilant about ethical use, leadership alignment, and copyright/privacy concerns. I also dive into primary sources to validate authenticity and credibility, and I double-check outputs for accuracy, nuance, and relevance.