How did I learn to stop worrying and love robots?
The following content is translated and edited by the Mockplus team for learning and communication only.
You were able to read my article here because you’re a creative person who works in the tech industry, and you’ve probably heard that robots are working for us. In this article, you might expect to see that your job is “safe” and that you don’t have to worry about machines automating and taking your place.
This view is both true and false, automation is an inevitable part of the future, but our role as creators in predicting and solving problems will be invaluable. Now, in 2018, many of the roles of designers in technology have been automated, and will continue to be until our roles fully evolve into other roles.
So how can designers prepare for this inexorable trend, especially since there are so many advanced technologies and problems yet to be predicted?
Understand traditional design theory
Having strong skills in visual design has traditionally been the foundation for designers in technology. However, trends suggest that designers will begin to devote less time and energy to visual design tasks in the coming years.
Color palettes, web layout, typography, logos, and even illustrations have all been handled by AI. When AI tools are used effectively in a designer’s workflow, they can make the visual design phase of a project faster and simpler.
The designer’s responsibility with these automated tools is to use their high level of understanding of design theory to ensure that the quality of the results is guaranteed and continuously improved. This is especially important in the early years, as the technology itself matures and becomes more complex to learn and understand.
Learn more about design ideas and business strategies
It’s a common belief that designers should learn how to code, but now designers are encouraged to learn business strategies as well.
Because the designer’s traditional role is identified with art, aesthetics, and craftsmanship, it can be difficult to think of a designer as a complete business strategist. In recent years, the industry has seen the rise of “design thinking” and heard success stories about its business value, and it’s no coincidence that this is happening. It will come naturally when visual design tasks become rapidly automated.
Become a self-taught expert
Gone are the days when you learned a selection of tools that you could only use for the rest of your career. Technology is constantly learning and improving, and designers need to do the same.
Because of the proficiency, it’s easy to get complacent about the tools and design processes you already have. But in fact it is not enough, the designers need to challenge myself, out of their comfort zone, learning new things – whether it’s to try new applications, automated tools can be incorporated into the work flow, learn some code, involved in the design of VR, a careful reading of machine learning, and even learn how to design innovative technology, can be.
If you’re a creative person at every level, self-directed learning is just part of your job to keep your brain full and your curiosity alive. Make time for yourself and schedule your learning regularly: make a reading list, study through online tutorials, watch Ted talks on new topics, connect with other creative people in your community, and set goals that you want to learn and improve.
Slow down, don’t stress out, build up slowly, don’t burn yourself out.
Constantly interact with new technologies
When you regularly attend new technology fairs, you’re more likely to find interesting design challenges. Don’t get frustrated, this is your chance as a designer to use your creative analytical skills to design and solve this problem.
If you’re not ready to talk to smart people like Alexa or Google, see if you can spot any behavior that could be improved. In addition to ARTIFICIAL intelligence, we’re seeing technologies like VR and augmented reality become a part of everyday life. Designers need to be early adopters and use as much new technology as possible. Identify problems in the process of use and find solutions to improve its relationship with human needs.
Think with your heart
One of the great strengths of designers is that they can resonate with the people who use their products. Designers have an innate ability to look at a project from a different Angle and predict flaws based on human thinking and usage patterns.
It is this ability that creatives must think with their hearts, which is invaluable in the robot revolution.
“The success of creating effective AI could be the biggest event, or the worst event, in the history of our civilization. We just don’t know. I’m an optimist and I believe we can create ARTIFICIAL intelligence for the benefit of the world. It can live in harmony with us. We just need to be aware of the dangers, identify them, use best practices and management, and prepare ahead of time.”
— Stephen Hawking
What the world needs is not rejection and fear of new technologies, but curious, adaptable and compassionate designers who embrace them, anticipate problems and solve them before they become dangerous. I truly believe that creative people will be the ones who learn to grow and work with these robots in order to create a brighter future for humanity.
Originally written by Nat Cooper
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