Web design has always lived between logic and feeling. Grids, spacing, rules… mixed with color, tone, and emotion. AI just stepped into that space, and whether we like it or not, it changed how we create.
AI in web design isn’t one thing. It’s a bunch of helpers:
it can suggest layouts, generate visuals, write copy, fix CSS, even personalize pages. Instead of only pushing pixels, designers now talk to tools and get ideas back.
Yes, it’s faster. But the real win is range.
You don’t make 3 versions anymore, you explore 30. And good ideas usually live on the edges, not in the safe middle. Working with AI feels less like clicking buttons and more like a back-and-forth. Sometimes it’s wrong. Sometimes it surprises you. That’s the fun part.
The risk? Everything starts to look the same.
AI loves “pretty good.” If you don’t guide it, it goes average. So bring taste:
your brand rules, your colors, your voice. Ask for weird versions, not just safe ones. Kill most ideas. Keep the ones with energy.
AI is a helper, not the boss.
It’s great at variations and grunt work. It doesn’t feel users, stress, trust, or confusion. That’s still your job. Think of it like a fast intern: useful, tireless, needs direction.
A simple flow:
describe what you want, give brand rules, generate options, throw most away, build fast, test with real people, adjust. Real beats polished.
On the code side: don’t trust blindly. Clean up div soup, keep spacing and type consistent, use tokens, care about performance. Light sites feel better because they are lighter.
Words matter more than people think.
“Submit” is cold. “Save changes” feels human.
Error messages should reassure, not blame. Tiny details build trust.
Accessibility isn’t optional.
Good contrast, focus states, clear structure, real alt text. The most creative thing a site can do is work for everyone.
And yeah, ethics matter. Know where assets come from, respect data, be transparent. Taste isn’t just visual; it’s responsibility.
Bottom line:
AI gives you options. Humans give meaning.
Let the machine explore. You decide what’s worth keeping. off? That’s fine. The web is for humans, not robots. A little roughness actually makes it feel alive.