From Designing to Building
One example comes from a designer who recently created and launched a Shopify app independently, using no dedicated development team or startup funding. Instead, the process relied on a clear understanding of a merchant pain point, a set of AI-powered tools, and design expertise. The significant change was not simply shipping a product but approaching design by actively building the solution, rather than producing handoffs for others to develop.
AI as an Enabler
Historically, designers have been problem-solvers within certain boundaries, such as visuals and user flows. With the introduction of tools like ChatGPT and Cursor, those boundaries are shifting. Designers can now bridge the gap between an idea and a functioning product without relying solely on engineers. This evolution enables them to consider broader contexts—data, logic, and implementation—alongside traditional design considerations.
A Shift in Team Dynamics
This movement is not about turning designers into full-time engineers. Instead, it allows designers to express their ideas more completely across multiple layers of product development. Some continue to focus on motion or interaction design, while others expand into service logic and system flows. Teams are beginning to value diverse perspectives rather than fixed titles. In this environment, it is not unusual to see designers writing backend logic or product managers prototyping features directly in production.
The Expanding Role of Designers
As AI reduces technical barriers, many designers are taking on responsibilities traditionally handled by product managers. They are not doing this to replace roles but because their proximity to user needs, friction points, and system flows positions them to deliver solutions directly. This shift suggests that design thinking—defined by problem analysis, system shaping, and user-centered focus—is increasingly central to product leadership.
Why It Matters Now
The current wave of AI tools gives designers greater autonomy. It allows them to not only create interfaces but also build systems and services that address core problems. While some organizations may turn to AI for automation, others are using it to empower those best equipped to define and solve user challenges. In this context, designers often demonstrate a wider range of capabilities than their counterparts in other disciplines.
Looking Ahead
This transformation does not imply designers must acquire every technical skill. Instead, it underscores that strong design systems, clear intent, and user-focused principles are critical in an AI-driven future. Well-defined design systems will ensure consistency, accessibility, and alignment with brand standards as AI-generated elements become more common.
The evolving landscape suggests that the future of product development will not be defined by rigid job titles. It will be shaped by individuals who deeply understand problems and can now build end-to-end solutions. Increasingly, that individual is likely to be a designer.
