How are you adapting your design process for AI in 2026? What's your plan?

#design #ai #productdesign #ux

With 2026 around the corner and AI tools getting more powerful every month, I'm rethinking my entire design process. Figma AI is getting better, new AI tools are launching constantly, and honestly, I feel like I need a strategy or I'll get left behind.

Here's what I'm planning:

I want to learn prompt engineering properly because I feel like that's becoming as important as design fundamentals. I'm also setting boundaries - AI for exploration and speed, but human judgment for final decisions. And I'm doubling down on user research because that's something AI can't replace (yet).

What I need guidance on:

Step 1: Learning/Upskilling

What AI skills are you focusing on learning in 2026?
Are you taking courses, or just experimenting?

Step 2: Tool Selection

Which AI tools are you committing to for 2026?
Are you going all-in on Figma AI or diversifying?

Step 3: Workflow Changes

How are you restructuring your design process to include AI?
What parts stay human, what parts become AI-assisted?

Step 4: Portfolio & Career

How do you showcase AI-assisted work without looking lazy?
What makes you valuable as a designer when AI can do the basics?

Step 5: Staying Relevant

What skills are becoming more important (strategy, research, storytelling)?
What skills are becoming less important?

I'm asking because I genuinely want to hear how other designers are thinking about this. Are you excited about AI, worried, or both? What's your 2026 game plan?

Share your strategy, your concerns, your predictions. Let's figure this out together.