AI and the future of web design 🚀

The future of web design is rapidly evolving with the increasing popularity of AI and no code tools. With the continued evolution of technology, it's clear that AI will play an even larger role in shaping the future of marketing and design. The following will dig into the rise of no code tools, the emergence of AI tools for both imagery and writing, and why the future of web design will rely on evoking real human emotion.

The Rise of no-code tools

No code is a transformative approach that's changing how we think about web design.

You may have heard of no code platforms, or WYSIWYG builders such as Squarespace, Caard, Shopify and Webflow. If you're not quite sure what they are, here's the gist: these tools allow you to build websites visually, without writing any code at all.

It should be noted that no code doesn’t literally mean no code. No code simply provides the tools for designers to build visually rather than writing code. However, websites are still built on code. So, when you are using a no code tool and dragging a metaphorical lego block into a frame, you are actually dragging a piece of code. Pretty magical, right? ✨

“The code is still there–it’s just prearranged into bite-sized visual elements that creators can use to start designing right away means you still get the functionality of HTML5, JavaScript and CSS, but the building process is simpler and more efficient”

No code is a key enabler of digital transformation. Today, organizations can build websites in record time, iterate to meet business goals, collaborate more efficiently and use their website as a true marketing tool.

As an article from Webflow put so well:

“It democratizes technology, makes website creation accessible to a broader audience, speeds up innovation, and as a result, pushes the industry forward.”

- Webflow

The rise of AI generated copy

Recently we have seen a rapid rise in AI-generated copy and the development of tools like chat GPT, Jasper, and Copy.ai. These technologies have revolutionized the way in which content can be created, allowing for faster production of content. Business owners and marketers can now capitalize on AI-generated copy to produce compelling product descriptions, ad copy and blog posts. Not only does this improve productivity, but it can also cut down on costs. With all that said, AI generated copy is not all magic.

AI generated copy has limitations

AI generated copy is becoming increasingly popular in the world of content creation. However, the use of automated systems to generate content can result in unoriginal and plagiarized content. Since AI writing tools use pre-existing content to create new pieces, there’s a good chance the content generated content will mirror or match existing content that is already on the internet. AI-generated copy also lacks creativity, a true tone of voice, human emotion, and can feel pretty mechanical.

We don’t need more spammy, redundant blog content for the sake of boosting SEO

Google recognizes that AI writing tools can assist with mundane tasks and free up time for content creators to focus on higher-level tasks. That said, Google also emphasizes the importance of ensuring that the content generated by these tools is still of high quality and provides value to users.

Google states, “Appropriate use of AI or automation is not against our guidelines. This means that it is not used to generate content primarily to manipulate search rankings, which is against our spam policies.”

Ultimately, Google suggests that AI writing tools can be a useful tool in a broader SEO strategy, but they should not be relied upon as the sole means of content creation or optimization.

AI should be used as a tool to enhance human effort, not replace it

It’s important individuals and businesses do not rely on AI generated copy alone, and rather use AI writing tools to improve their marketing mix and workflow. AI writing tools can be incredibly helpful for writers who are looking to generate outlines and talking points for their content.

With the ability to analyze large amounts of text data, these tools can quickly identify the most important themes and ideas within a given topic, help people organize their thoughts and create a starting point for their writing. Additionally, these tools can also suggest different angles or perspectives to approach a particular topic.

The rise of AI-generated copy is an exciting development, and it will be fascinating to see how it continues to grow and evolve in the coming years.

The rise of AI generated imagery

There has been a significant rise in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to generate high-quality imagery and graphics. Platforms like DALL.E and Midjourney have emerged as key players in this field, offering a wide array of AI-generated designs that can be used for various purposes, such as web design, branding, and product packaging.

The use of AI-generated assets has proven to be both time and cost-effective for businesses and individuals alike, as it eliminates the need for extensive manual design work. With this technology constantly evolving and improving, it is likely that we will see even more sophisticated AI-generated designs in the years to come. That said, just like AI generated copy, AI generated imagery is not without some very real problems.

AI generated imagery is frequently non inclusive

Although artificial intelligence can be a powerful tool for generating images, it is important to acknowledge that it is not immune to perpetuating harmful biases. In fact, AI-generated imagery has been found to be frequently racist, sexist and non-inclusive, particularly when it comes to recognizing and representing individuals from underrepresented communities.

“AI can inherit all the biases of the humans who design them, and any present in the data that feeds them. The end result mirrors society, with all the ugliness baked in.”

-Wired, AI Is Steeped in Big Tech’s ‘Digital Colonialism

One reason for this is that AI algorithms are often trained on biased data sets, which can reinforce or even amplify existing stereotypes and discrimination.

In order to create truly inclusive and representative imagery, it is important for web designers and marketers to be mindful of these potential biases and actively work to include diverse perspectives and voices in their designs and marketing materials.

AI generated imagery is built from the creations and ideas of real artists

As the use of AI-generated imagery becomes more prevalent, questions about the ethics of its use are coming up. One of the issues with Midjourney AI-generated imagery is that it often relies heavily on the work of existing artists to create its designs. While the technology behind Midjourney AI is impressive, it is important to remember that these designs are built on the creations and original ideas of real artists.

This is problematic because it takes away from the originality and creativity of the artist’s work, and can easily be viewed as ripping off the artist. As AI technology continues to develop, it will be important to examine the ethical implications of its use in art and design.

Creativity and problem solving are the future of web design

With AI-powered tools and no-code web design, business owners and designers stand to benefit significantly from these technologies. However, these tools should not be seen as a replacement for human creativity and critical thinking. Instead, designers should use them as a tool to enhance their skill set and efficiency, ultimately contributing to a better overall design experience for the end-user.

Instead of designing within the confines of cookie-cutter templates, designers are encouraged to use their imagination to create unique and functional designs that engage users. As AI becomes more integrated into web design, creativity will be a key differentiator in a very competitive landscape.

Successful businesses will be the ones who can use their creativity to solve complex design problems, rather than relying on pre-existing solutions. The future of web design lies in embracing the freedom that AI provides, and using creativity to create website experiences that are truly one-of-a-kind.

Real human emotion and connection are at the centre of good web design

AI tools are streamlining processes and making it easier to create visually stunning websites. However, while these tools may be efficient, they lack empathy and the ability to truly connect with audiences in a human way. In the end, resonating with your audience is about understanding their unique experiences, recognizing their needs, and evoking real human emotions. AI tools can only go so far in providing solutions to these important aspects of web design.

I can’t help but remember many years ago when some of my favourite e-commerce websites served more as a culture hub including artists series, photography, playlists, blog articles and so on. In time, this more boutique feel has been increasingly replaced with streamlined, and incredibly optimized websites. Designers want to remove any and all of the distractions that lead people away from purchase. Sure, this makes sense, and while I’m all for improved UX, this sterile approach to e-commerce can take some of the connection and community away.

As AI tools becoming increasingly widespread, I think we will eventually see a return to the website as a culture hub. With AI taking on more of the technical heavy lifting, humans will be be looking for something that evokes feeling, something more, and something meaningful.

People want to see themselves seen and represented in marketing and design. This will require real human effort that goes beyond using the latest tools in the name of efficiency.

The future of web design requires humanizing design by considering the needs of our audiences and creating experiences that go beyond mere technological capability. Ultimately, our goal should be to make a meaningful experiences that resonate and evoke real human feelings.