The design process is dead. Here’s what’s replacing it. | Jenny Wen (head of design at Claude)

By Lenny's Podcast

Categories: Product, Startup, VC

Summary

The design process as we know it is dead - now designers must focus on helping engineers execute, not just creating beautiful mocks. AI is already assisting with ideation, pushing designers to develop better taste and judgment.

Key Takeaways

  1. Designers now spend only 30-40% of their time mocking and prototyping, down from 60-70% just a few years ago.
  2. A core part of the design role is now helping engineers and teams execute on ideas, not just handing off designs.
  3. Designers must now create 3-6 month visions, not 2-10 year plans, and focus on quick prototypes over comprehensive decks.
  4. AI is already assisting with ideation, so designers need to focus more on developing taste, judgment, and decision-making skills.
  5. When hiring designers, look for those who can execute quickly, provide ongoing support, and make tough decisions on what actually gets built.
  6. Ultimately, someone still needs to be accountable for deciding what gets built and what truly matters, even as the design process evolves.

Topics

Transcript Excerpt

This design process that designers have been taught, we sort of treat it as gospel. That's basically dead. You as a designer actually like do not have the time to make these beautiful mocks anymore. >> A big part of the design role now is helping engineers and teams execute, not just telling them here's the design. >> Few years ago, 60 to 70% of it was mocking and prototyping. But now I feel the mocking up part of it is 30 to 40%. >> You're better off not blocking that, letting them cook. It's n...