AI-Driven Project Development

Initially, I listed my projects and considered how AI could enhance them. It then occurred to me that I could directly consult AI for improvement ideas, not only for each project but also for my portfolio. This realization opened my eyes to the incredible range of possibilities that AI offers.

Below is a list my three case studies along with my fun projects, showcasing my initial ideas for AI integration and subsequent observations.

Case Study #1 with AI

Design System

I would have used Figma ai if I had access to it of course!

Ask Ai to name everything

Ask Ai to come up with some possible UI designs after looking at NAU

Ask ai to write use cases and guidelines for some

Ask ai to come up with potential website layouts using figma.

This was my first attempt to and mostly I learned to alter my language to alter the results. 

Key Insights from Using AI for DS:

  • Benefits: AI quickly generated novel ideas that I hadn't considered myself.

  • Challenges: AI sometimes included irrelevant or nonsensical elements in its outputs.

  • Future Improvements: In future iterations, I plan to use AI to develop user personas for the design system.

  • Surprising Results: When I provided specific hex codes for colors, the AI's color selection was inaccurate. However, when I specified the university for the design, the AI accurately matched the color palette and incorporated relevant stylistic and imagery elements from the university's branding.



    Design System (Detailed):     My initial attempts to get AI to generate design system components had issues with dark themes, misinterpretations of prompts, and unusual component designs. Later requests with specific instructions yielded better but still imperfect results. Figma AI is expected to provide better control.

Case Study #2 with AI

NAUgo Mobile App

  • Requested AI-generated layouts for all four feature pages.

  • Instructed AI to create designs similar to the existing NAU aesthetic.

  • Asked Leonardo (AI model) to design an app for NAU student cafeteria options.

    • The AI correctly used the school colors (blue and gold), though not perfectly.

    • Requested square corners in the design, which the AI partially implemented.



Key Insights: AI-Assisted Design for Cafeteria Mobile App

  • Positive Outcomes:

    • Enhanced Creativity: AI generated a diverse range of novel layouts, visual styles (photos, illustrations), and design directions, expanding creative possibilities beyond initial expectations.

    • Increased Efficiency: The AI tool accelerated the exploration phase, providing multiple design iterations in a short timeframe.

  • Usability Challenges:

    • Cognitive Load: The AI sometimes produced designs with irrelevant or nonsensical elements, potentially increasing cognitive load for users if implemented directly. Further filtering and refinement are necessary.

  • Future Iteration Opportunities:

    • Early-Stage Ideation: In future design cycles, AI will be leveraged for early-stage brainstorming to explore a broader design space and identify unique solutions.

    • Iterative Feedback Loop: AI will be used to generate design variations between iterations, allowing for rapid prototyping and user testing.

  • Unexpected Success:

    • Visual Harmony: The AI's output for layout, color palette selection, and image placement demonstrated a surprising level of visual harmony and aesthetic appeal, exceeding initial expectations for AI-generated design quality.

Gemini

  • FOUNDER

  • DESIGN DIRECTOR

  • SUSTAINABILITY DIRECTOR

  • SALES MANAGER

  • MARKETING DIRECTOR

  • CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER

Case Study #3 with AI

TimeTimer

Color Palette Exploration

Objective: Investigate AI capabilities for generating appropriate color palettes for the TimeTimer application.

Process:

  1. Initial AI Query (Leonardo): Requested Leonardo (AI model) to suggest a favorite mobile app color palette. The response yielded a palette with similarities to Instagram's, featuring pastel tones.

  2. Refined AI Query (Leonardo): Attempted to request a minimalist, neutral color palette. However, the AI indicated a token limit and prompted a paid membership, preventing the query from being completed.

  3. Alternative AI Model (Gemini): Switched to Gemini's image generator to explore similar color palette options. Gemini successfully provided suitable results.

Outcome: Gemini effectively expanded color palette ideas, demonstrating its usefulness in generating visual design options. Further exploration with Gemini proved more fruitful for this task than with the initial ai, Leonardo..

I Asked chatgpt to brainstorm solutions to major pain points

Below is a pain point from users who tested a special timer app designed for those who identify as autistic. Please write a solution to this problem:

Pain Point: After setting a timer, users searched for a way to know that their timer was set and wasted time looking for a clue.

To address this pain point, implement a clear confirmation system that immediately informs users their timer has been successfully set. This system can include:

  1. Visual Confirmation:

    • Display a large, bold confirmation message (e.g., "Timer Set!") on the screen for 3-5 seconds after the timer is set.

    • Show the timer countdown prominently at the top or center of the screen to make it obvious that the timer is active.

  2. Auditory Feedback:

    • Provide a soft, customizable sound or chime that plays as soon as the timer is set. Users who are sensitive to sounds can have the option to disable this feature in the settings.

  3. Haptic Feedback:

    • Add a vibration or a subtle tactile response for users who prefer physical feedback when the timer is confirmed. This is especially helpful for users who may be visually or aurally overwhelmed.

  4. Persistent Indicator:

    • Add a small, persistent icon or animation (like a clock or a subtle pulsing circle) on the app's interface or notification area to show that a timer is currently active. This provides ongoing reassurance.

  5. Customization Options:

    • Allow users to customize the type of confirmation (visual, auditory, haptic, or a combination), ensuring it aligns with their sensory preferences.

By combining these features, users will receive immediate and accessible feedback, minimizing confusion and saving time.

ChatGPT provided excellent suggestions. I've already implemented the visual confirmation idea, and I think combining several of their recommendations would be highly effective.

I ask chatgpt to generate three user personas for the app.

Here are three personas of people who might use the Time Timer app, catering to different special needs and considerations:

Persona 1:

Alex, the Student with Autism

  • Age: 10

  • Needs: Predictability, Visual Cues, Managing Transitions

  • Goals:  To understand how long tasks take, reduce anxiety around transitions, and increase independence.

  • Challenges: Difficulty with abstract time concepts, sensory overload, resistance to change.

  • How the App Helps: The visual timer provides a concrete representation of time passing. Clear visual cues and alarms help with transitions. Customizable settings accommodate sensory sensitivities.

Persona 2:

Sarah, the Parent of a Child with ADHD

  • Age: 35

  • Needs:  Structuring Child's Day, Managing Time for Tasks, Reducing Conflict

  • Goals:  Help her child stay on task, create a consistent schedule, and minimize power struggles.

  • Challenges: Child's distractibility, difficulty with time management, frequent arguments over time.

  • How the App Helps:  The app helps create visual schedules and routines. Timers for tasks promote focus and completion. The app acts as a neutral authority on time, reducing conflict.

Persona 3:

Emily, the Teacher with a Neurodiverse Classroom

  • Age: 28

  • Needs:  Classroom Management, Individualized Support, Inclusive Learning Environment

  • Goals:  Maintain a calm and structured classroom, meet diverse student needs, and promote engagement.

  • Challenges: Varying student abilities and needs, keeping students on task, accommodating different learning styles.

  • How the App Helps: The app can be used for individual students or the whole class. Visual timers help with time management and transitions. Customizable settings cater to different needs. The app fosters a sense of fairness and predictability in the classroom.

Chatgpt, how could we display different information app tools to individually meet each of these persona's needs?

To cater to the unique needs of each persona, the Time Timer app could display different information and app tools:

For Alex, the Student with Autism:

  • Visual Schedule: A clear visual schedule with images and/or text outlining the day's activities, with a Time Timer integrated into each activity.

  • Simple Visual Timer: A large, clear visual timer with minimal distractions. The ability to choose calming colors and sounds for the alarm.

  • Task Timer: A timer specifically for tasks, with a visual countdown and a "Finished!" message when the time is up.

  • Transition Warnings: Customizable alerts that give advance notice of upcoming transitions, helping to reduce anxiety.

For Sarah, the Parent of a Child with ADHD:

  • Family Schedule: A shared family schedule that everyone can access, with assigned tasks and Time Timers for each.

  • Activity Timers: Timers for specific activities, like homework or chores, with the option to set rewards for completion.

  • Progress Tracking: A visual representation of the child's progress on tasks, helping to build motivation and self-esteem.

  • Parent Dashboard: A dashboard where parents can monitor their child's use of the app and adjust settings as needed.

By offering these tailored features, the Time Timer app could become an invaluable tool for individuals with special needs, their families, and educators, helping to create a more structured, predictable, and supportive environment for everyone.

For Emily, the Teacher with a Neurodiverse Classroom:

  • Classroom Timer: A large classroom timer that everyone can see, with customizable settings for different activities.

  • Individual Student Timers: Smaller timers for individual students who need extra support with time management.

  • Group Activity Timers: Timers for group activities, with the option to assign roles and responsibilities to each student.

  • Behavior Management Tools: Visual cues and reminders for classroom expectations, with the option to track positive behaviors.

  • Teacher Resources: A library of resources and tips for using the Time Timer app in the classroom.

Fun with Physics

Ask ai for multiple ideas of Leonardo, in his style of work

I specifically requested that Leonardo generate an image depicting Leonardo da Vinci underwater, equipped with a breathing apparatus, holding a red ball on a string, and observing the light."

"I've noticed a striking resemblance between Gemini's output and an image of my work that is publicly available online. This is concerning, as it appears Gemini may have directly referenced my image."

Make Leonardo's hair gray and show a reflection of the red ball in the bubbles floating

"It's insightful to see my own images interpreted through Gemini's output. I feel like I can gain a new perspective on my work."

Prism Font Exploration

  • Objective: Generate diverse design concepts for prism-inspired fonts.

  • Process:

    • Requested AI to create various interpretations of prism fonts.

    • Specifically asked for images combining the letter "F" with prism colors.

    • Requested a design featuring a black letter "F" against a white background with surrounding prism colors.

  • Observation: One of the AI resembled mine, except for my intentional separation of warm and cool colors, which reflects a natural phenomenon I observe and use as inspiration. This makes me wonder, can AI independently derive inspiration from natural phenomena?

Sun-catcher Invite

Requested AI-generated illustrations in the style of Milton Glaser. The results suggest the AI may not have a comprehensive understanding of his work. I attempted to have Gemini generate an image in the style of Milton Glaser's Bob Dylan poster, but it was unsuccessful and instead produced images similar to Shepard Fairey's work.

Stars to Whale

Create an image that shows the stars and galaxies above the ocean as the sun is setting with a close up of a blue whale deep under the water in the Spider-Verse style.

I think that because most whale and ocean imagery is highly realistic and color-saturated, the AI was less likely to produce a more stylized, animated version.

Ideas and Opinions

Let’s get Ideas!

To gather design ideas, I asked the AI to create an image of an inside book cover. I specified a modern, minimalist aesthetic with light fonts and provided the following text to be included: "Ideas and Opinions, by Albert Einstein, INTRODUCTION BY ALAN LIGHTMAN, THE MODERN LIBRARY NEW YORK."

Summary & Suggestions

AI Integration Suggestions:

  • Adi's Suggestion:

    • Use AI to generate persona use case scenarios.

    • Deliver tailored information based on the viewer's persona.

  • Sunday's Suggestion:

    • Ask AI for ways to improve your portfolio.

    • Inquire how to best utilize your AI section to enhance the portfolio.

    • Request AI to edit and organize all text for clarity.

AI Tool Preferences:

  • I preferred Leonardo for image generation.

  • I found ChatGPT more useful for longer text content.

  • I utilized Gemini for generating design ideas.