Design Tips from AI
Y’all. I was really struggling to think of a blog post to write and decided to take some advice from our owner, Matt, and fire up ChatGPT to see if it could help me get started. I probably could have gotten more specific with the topic but this was my first time (I know, I’m late to the party) and I was genuinely just curious of the process. Here’s how it went.
“Hey, I am a graphic designer seeking inspiration for a blog post.”
“ Nice! What kind of inspiration are you looking for—design trends, portfolio tips, visual storytelling, color theory, something niche like typography, or maybe just general creative motivation? Also, who’s your audience—other designers, clients, or just a broader creative crowd?
I can help you brainstorm angles, titles, outlines—whatever you need.”
“Design tips for other designers.”
“Awesome, love that. Writing for fellow designers opens up space to go deeper than just surface-level tips. You can share process insights, shortcuts, or creative philosophy stuff that really hits home.
Here are a few blog post ideas tailored to that audience:
“If you want, I can help you flesh this out into a full post or design it into a carousel or social promo version too. What vibe are you going for—informal and chatty, sleek and pro, edgy and bold?”
“Informal and chatty.”
It then continued on to write the initial blog to see if I liked the “vibe” and asked if I’d like an IG post/carousel as well. I proceeded to ask for the full blog post (because, why not 🤷♀️) and here is what it spit out.
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Hey fellow pixel-pusher 👋
If you’ve ever stared at a blank canvas for way too long wondering if Comic Sans is actually that bad (spoiler: it is), you’re not alone. Whether you’ve been designing for years or just hit “Export” on your first-ever mockup, we’re all in the same creative boat—trying to make cool stuff without losing our minds.
Here are some design tips I’ve picked up along the way that made my work better, faster, and honestly… way more fun.
🎯 1. Start with the Why, Not the Wow
I used to dive straight into visuals—colors, fonts, layouts—before I even understood what I was designing for. And yeah, it looked cool… but it didn’t always work.
Now I stop and ask:
– What’s the goal here?
– Who’s this for?
– What’s the ONE thing I want them to feel/do?
Once that’s clear, the design decisions practically make themselves (okay, not literally, but you get me).
🎨 2. Color Palettes: Less Is More, Until It’s Not
Color is powerful. But using all the colors at once? That’s a quick way to make your work look like a Skittles ad (unless that’s what you’re going for—no judgment).
I like to:
– Start with 2-3 core colors
– Use neutrals to balance things out
– Add a bold pop only if the design needs energy
Bonus: save your favorite palettes somewhere easy to grab when your brain’s like “uhhh… beige again?”
🔡 3. Fonts Have Feelings, Too
Typography is way more than just picking something that “looks nice.” It sets the tone. Is this serious? Fun? Edgy? Elegant? The right font combo can whisper, shout, or sing.
Some go-to moves:
– Serif + sans-serif = instant class
– Bold headers + clean body text = chef’s kiss
– Don’t overdo it—2 typefaces per project max, please 🙏
📐 4. Grids Are Your Friends (Even If You Hate Math)
I used to think grids were for rigid, boring layouts. Nope. They’re structure, not rules. Think of them like scaffolding—you build cool stuff on them, not because of them.
Try this:
– Use a grid to start your layout
– Break it intentionally when you want something to stand out
– Align stuff. Your future self (and your clients) will thank you
🧩 5. Save Time with Systems
Want to design faster and better? Build yourself a system. Reusable components, saved styles, naming conventions—it’s not glamorous, but it’s gold.
Stuff I always keep on hand:
– Button styles
– Typography hierarchy
– Color swatches
– UI kits / icons / whatever saves me time
Future you will be high-fiving past you every time you don’t have to recreate a primary CTA for the 400th time.
💼 6. Steal Like a Designer (Not a Thief)
Every creative steals. The trick? Don’t copy—curate. Build moodboards. Screenshot layouts you love. Break down what works about them. Then remix those vibes into something new.
No shame in drawing inspiration—just make sure your work has you in it, too.
🔄 7. Keep Evolving (Or Get Boring Fast)
Design trends move. Tools update. AI is doing weird stuff. The point is: don’t get stuck.
Keep learning, stay curious. Some favs I recommend:
– Figma (obviously)
– Awwwards for site inspo
– Podcasts like Design Matters or Creative Pep Talk
– Books like Steal Like an Artist or Grid Systems in Graphic Design
Also: follow designers you admire. Then talk to them! We’re all just nerds who like pretty things.
✌️ Wrapping It Up
That’s my current toolbox of tried-and-true tips. Nothing too fancy. Just stuff that’s helped me stay creative without pulling my hair out (okay maybe just a little).
If any of this hit home—or if you’ve got a fave design tip that changed your life—drop it in the comments or tag me. I love seeing how other creatives work their magic.
Now go design something awesome. And maybe close that 87-tab inspo folder while you’re at it. 😉
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Not bad, huh? Now, I would probably just use ChatGPT for blog post topic ideas in the future but it was pretty neat to see what it could do. How do you utilize AI?
