AI Design Engineer: a first step towards the future of product design

At Source.paris, we're keenly (and enthusiastically) observing the impact of artificial intelligence on the product design profession. But this transformation is not without questions, nor without responsibilities.

A new paradigm for exploratory phases

These new tools allow designers to realize concepts from the very first phases of work. In our practice, we see an organization of work emerging based on a constant back-and-forth between traditional creation tools (like Figma) and vibe coding environments. This combination allows for a rapid exploration of avenues, creating drafts of ideas while maintaining a high level of visual demands.

Letting AI propose a complete UX solution from a brief summary often amounts to generating an accelerated synthesis of "best practices," or even a response perceived as obvious by the model. In short, an operational benchmark, directly transcribed into code. The speed at which these tools evolve is staggering. And week by week, we get closer to a new standard: where deliverables are no longer simple static mockups but living artifacts, designed for code and real constraints.

How we plan to continue creating value for our clients

If these tools become accessible to everyone, including our clients, why continue to call upon an agency? We humbly believe that our role is evolving but remains central. It is up to us, designers, to continue creating value above generative AI. Not in opposition, but in complement.

An experienced product designer does not simply assemble components. They reconcile sometimes conflicting constraints—organizational, professional, user, branding—anticipate the limits of tools, avoid the pitfalls of vibe coding, and stabilize the quality level. They help our clients stay on course in a constantly changing technological environment.

Craft as a barrier against uniformity

As we already wrote in our manifesto four years ago, machines complement us and surpass us in many areas, but there is one thing they will never be able to produce: the unexpected.

We make "craft" a pillar of our demands. By this, we mean: the quality of finishing, precision in execution, mastery of the fundamentals of visual design (typography, color, rhythm, balance). These details make the difference between a simply functional interface and a memorable interface.

Generative AIs produce designs that are immediately clean, modern, but often standardized, very close to libraries like Tailwind or Material. The risk? An ultra-uniformity of interfaces that cannot accommodate the expressive needs of brands.

Craft, on the contrary, allows brands to stand out, strengthen their uniqueness, and offer truly differentiating experiences.

AI and team reduction: a risky temptation?

Some companies, believing they have reached a sufficient level of maturity in their design system, have decided to reduce their design or product teams, betting on AI to automate production. This choice may seem logical in the short term, but it raises fundamental questions: what remains of the capacity to innovate? To adapt to complex needs? To create unprecedented experiences?

At Source, we are convinced that while AI transforms our way of working, it does not replace vision, culture, or collective intelligence. The role of the AI Design Engineer fits precisely into this dynamic: a hybrid profile, rooted in a strong product culture, capable of making the most of these new tools while maintaining a high level of demands.

This is our way of preparing for the future: clear-sighted, demanding, and focused on what truly matters for our clients.