Warning to Young Designers: Do not surrender to artificial intelligence, lead it
The rapid rise of artificial intelligence is reshaping design disciplines. Prof. Dr. Neda Üçer pointed out that using AI in design requires care, responsibility, and ethical awareness. “If designers hand over everything to AI, they risk losing their profession. But if they use it to expand their creativity, they can devote more time to the design process and open new horizons in the field,” she said.
Prof. Dr. Neda Üçer, Chair of the Department of Visual Communication Design at Yeditepe University, shared her views on the fast changes AI is bringing to design.
Prof. Üçer noted that the growing use of AI in this century cannot be stopped. “Yet there will always be a clear difference between AI-produced work and designs created by human hands. What carries genuine ideas and originality will stand out and hold value.”
“From Idea to Visual, Now Faster Than Ever”
With the rise of AI-powered design tools such as Midjourney, DALL·E, and Adobe Firefly, design processes have accelerated significantly. Prof. Dr. Neda Üçer noted: “Today, the transition from an idea to a visual can take place in a very short time. This speeds up prototyping and offers designers a wider range of alternatives. As the process gains speed, a new visual language is also beginning to emerge.”
“The Designer’s Role is Changing: An Interpretive and Ethical Curator”
Prof. Dr. Neda Üçer noted that the production opportunities provided by artificial intelligence are drawing non-professional users into the design process, which in turn is redefining the role of the designer:
“The designer is no longer only the one who executes the process, but rather a curator who guides concepts, makes choices, and sets the ethical framework. At this stage, creativity becomes even more central. AI can combine content, but genuine ideas and originality remain human. It can take over repetitive technical tasks such as background removal or color correction. This allows designers to focus more comfortably on what AI cannot do contextual thinking, cultural evaluation, and intuitive decision-making and to express their creativity through these strengths.”
“A Shift in Aesthetics, New Debates Ahead”
Prof. Dr. Neda Üçer stated that the spread of AI-generated visuals is causing a major shift in aesthetic perception:
“On one side, there are plastic, polished, flawless images; on the other, a more natural, pastel, and human-centered aesthetic. The clash between these two approaches will become more pronounced in the coming period. AI-generated visuals that now appear ‘uncanny’ will gradually evolve toward a more human aesthetic.”
An Interdisciplinary Model of Education
As Yeditepe University's Visual Communication Design Department, Üçer emphasizes that they aim to equip students not only with technical skills but also with ethical awareness, critical thinking, and conceptual creativity. Prof Üçer summarizes the projects they have carried out as follows: “In our Spring and Fall Design Meetings, we met with industry professionals to discuss the opportunities and risks of AI. We integrated AI tools into our course content with clear principles for responsible use. In the coming term, through interdisciplinary workshops and projects, we will continue to offer an educational environment that matches this transformation.”
Message to Young Designers: Question, Reflect, Stay Ethical
Prof. Dr. Üçer noted that the growing use of AI is inevitable and continued:
“That is why the ethical and conscious use of AI is critical. Designers who fully surrender to AI risk losing their profession. But if they use it to expand their creativity, they can devote more time to the design process and break new ground in the field. My advice to young designers is to first build AI literacy, to learn how to use these tools responsibly, and to aim to stand out through creative thinking, ideas, and original design work. It is equally important to approach AI with a critical mindset, to develop conceptual and ethical awareness, to gain hybrid skills, and to remain open to mastering emerging technologies.”