Design in the age of AI

Our Master of Science in Technology and Design (Human-Centred Design) programme was thrilled to host Arthur Lee, Product Designer at GovTech Singapore, for an inspiring session of our Dialogue with Leaders series, bridging the gap between the HCD programme and industry innovation.

Arthur shared how AI is fundamentally transforming the designer’s role, moving from manual “pixel-pushing” to a high-level “Art Director” mindset. By leveraging AI for rapid ideation and “vibe designing,” designers can now explore vast option spaces in a fraction of the time.

Key takeaways

• The Power of Taste: As AI handles more of the labour, a designer’s true value lies in their Taste, defined by knowing what to build, maintaining a strong creative vision, and obsessing over craft and details.
• Case Studies in Impact: From his wide range of work, Arthur demonstrated how AI-driven workflows allow for faster alignment between PMs, designers, and engineers, accelerating the journey from concept to production.
• His advice to our HCD students: Experiment relentlessly with AI tools, build a diverse portfolio, and “Show Your Work” to the community.

A huge thank you to Arthur for showing us how to stay at the forefront of tech and design!

The Dialogues with Leaders series is an initiative to strengthen connections between the Human-Centred Design Master’s program and industry, in hoping to enrich student learning through first-hand professional perspectives. We are welcoming more distinguished guests to SUTD in future sessions.