AI isn’t coming for your job—but it is changing how designers work. In this episode of Working With Designers, we unpack the real impact of AI on creative work, design strategy, and client expectations.

Jake and Kristin explore how AI tools like ChatGPT and Canva are showing up in real projects, what designers should (and shouldn’t) worry about, and how to navigate the shifting landscape of originality, ownership, and value.

Whether you’re using AI to write proposals, polish emails, or speed up mockups, the message is clear: your value isn’t in what you make—it’s in how you think.

In this episode

• How clients are misunderstanding AI’s capabilities

• The best use cases for AI in a design workflow
• Why taste, strategy, and curation matter more than ever
• What new designers should not worry about
• The legal and ethical gray areas of AI-generated work

Chapters

00:00 Strategic Design vs. Production

01:39 AI in Creative Work

04:14 Understanding AI Tools

06:33 Communication and AI

09:00 Client Expectations with AI

11:30 The Accessibility of Design

14:07 Legal Implications of AI Generated Content

17:58 The Challenges of AI in Art and Copyright

19:50 The Rise of Handcrafted Art in a Digital Age

20:17 AI's Role in Communication and Professionalism

23:42 AI as a Tool for Brainstorming and Mental Health

26:59 AI: A Reactor, Not a Collaborator

29:42 The Future of AI and Copyright Issues

30:57 The Value of Human Curation in a Digital World

35:44 Navigating the Pressure of AI in Design

40:32 The Efficiency of AI in Creative Processes

48:56 The Impact of Social Media on Creativity and Comparison

50:24 Navigating Social Media's Impact

53:01 The Homesteading Trend: A Cultural Reflection

01:00:57 The Future of AI and Marketing

01:06:45 Authenticity in Marketing and Content Creation