Exploring Generative AI for XD

Russell Jon Reyes

ChatGPT, MidJourney, CoPilot, Automation—you're probably familiar with these terms. Generative Artificial Intelligence or GEN AI is becoming a part of our everyday lives, showing up in our phones, chatbots, and even in art. It's exciting but can also be a bit intimidating to encounter this new concept of emerging innovation. For digital professionals, it might seem like AI could threaten their jobs, but here's a comforting thought: AI's purpose is not to replace people, but to assist those who use it.

As a User Experience/User Design (UX/UI) professional, my work involves focusing on users while also utilizing various digital tools. It's fascinating to see how technological innovations can improve our ability to better serve users, creating intuitive and satisfying experiences. 

In this article, I want to share a list of GEN AI-related tools that UX/UI Designers can leverage in our day-to-day work.

1. Adobe Photoshop Generative Expand

This feature on Adobe Photoshop enables a user to expand any given photo and fill empty space using Generative AI. The feature does this by predicting what the photography would look like based on the objects in the original image.

Image shows a photography before Generative Expand

Image shows a photography before Generative Expand

Other variant results from Generative Expand

Use case in UI/UX Design

This feature will enable us to expand the aspect ratio of the selected image. For example, adjusting and expanding the image's aspect ratio to the exact dimensions needed for a webpage.

2. ChatGPT

ChatGPT is a language model developed by OpenAI that can understand and generate human-like text based on the input it receives. It's designed for natural language conversation, making it versatile for various applications, from answering questions to engaging in dialogue.

Image of ChatGPT UI in web browser version

Use case in UI/UX Design

Ask ChatGPT to create a list of article titles to use as dummy text for your UI Design, example for an Article Page.

Image of ChatGPT UI in web browser version

3. Figjam's Jambot by Figma

Jambot, a Figjam widget, is a tool that enables the user to ask various questions or perform different tasks. These include prompts like Ideate, Quick Question, Teach Me About This, and Give Me, among others. The user just needs to plug their text into a sticky note, then click a command and let the AI perform its magic.

Image of Jambot initial state

Use case in UI/UX Design

In case you need a jump-start during an ideation session, you can ask Jambot to ideate on a certain topic and see the results. Isn't it nice to have an extra participant during workshops?

Image of Jambot when you plug it to a sticky note

4. Miro Assist by Miro

Miro Assist is Miro's answer to GEN AI. It has a Chatbot that accepts natural language commands to then generate a relevant output. For example, you can ask Miro Assist to arrange your sticky notes and create an idea map, expand a single piece of text to multiple branches of ideas in a mind map, or analyze and edit your spelling or grammar.

Image Miro Assist button on the Bottom-Right of Miro's interface

Use case in UI/UX Design

With these features in mind, Miro Assist would be a great tool that help you organize your thoughts during ideation and flow charting. An extra helping hand (or brain) during workshops.

It's important to remember that AI, at this point, is just a tool that requires human involvement. It is also important for professionals and the business to access its security and risks before using it.

Currently, it can't operate independently; it needs humans to provide guidance on tasks. The rise of AI offers us the chance to concentrate on essential matters and accelerate routine tasks. Consider it a tool to enhance your workflow.