Photo by Sigmund on Unsplash

In 1882, renowned philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche made a profound statement that would forever alter our perception of humanity:

“God is dead. He remains dead. And we have killed him.”

Nietzsche, known for his nihilistic worldview, did not intend to evoke an atheistic joy with his declaration. It was instead a message of sorrow.

During that era, the predominance of science and secularism was gradually replacing religious beliefs and institutions. Nietzsche held concerns that science and reason alone could not offer the same profound sense of morality and purpose that God and religious beliefs provided people for generations. Hence, Nietzsche’s relentless pursuit to discover meaning within the human essence.

In many ways, we’re undergoing a similar cultural experience. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) raises profound questions regarding what it means to be human and what can and should be replaced by “machines.”

In a culture where God has the potential to be substituted by science, who’s to say that AI can not just replace designers, but design itself?

Defining Design

There’s no one-size-fits-all definition of design. However, in my estimation, design is a translator of sorts. A design aims to communicate information visually, tactically, or experientially into something understandable and usable.

Whether it’s a life-saving fire escape sign, an intuitive digital interface, or an ergonomic television remote, the fundamental purpose of design is to solve problems by improving user experiences.

Design also serves as a persuasive mechanism. A shopper may opt for a particular protein bar due to its package design. Similarly, an enticing shoe advertisement might capture our attention, driving us to purchase the product. Whether we acknowledge it or not, design has always had an intimate role in our lives.

The functions of design are deeply intertwined with our culture. However, our world…