Tools like Google VEO, invideo AI, ChatGPT, Sora, and Adobe Firefly now sit alongside Photoshop, Illustrator, and Figma in my creative toolbox.
I’m not here to argue that AI will replace designers — but I do believe that if we don’t adapt, we can’t continue to thrive in this industry. The reality is, AI is here, and it’s reshaping creative work. My approach has been simple: learn the tools, master the prompts, and use AI to amplify my creativity, not replace it.
Where AI Fits Into My Workflow
1. Brainstorming & Concept Development
When deadlines are tight, I use ChatGPT to speed up ideation.
- Bad Prompt: “Give me ideas for a social media campaign.”
- Good Prompt: “I’m creating a social media campaign for a premium electric vehicle app. The target audience is Tesla owners in North America, aged 25–45, with a tech-savvy lifestyle. Give me 10 campaign ideas with a unique hook, a suggested visual style, and example copy.”
The difference? The second prompt provides context, audience, and deliverables, giving me results I can use immediately instead of sifting through generic ideas.
2. Storyboarding & Motion Design
With Google VEO and Sora, I can quickly visualize concepts before investing hours in After Effects.
Prompt Example (Sora): “A cinematic 10-second video of a red Tesla driving through a futuristic city at night, with neon reflections on wet pavement — shot in a slow, sweeping drone motion.”
The result? A reference clip I can bring into client discussions, making it easier to sell the concept before production.
3. Asset Creation & Mockups
Adobe Firefly has been a game changer for mockups and content fills.
- Bad Prompt: “Add a background to this product shot.”
- Good Prompt: “Add a blurred, modern co-working office background to this product shot. Keep the lighting warm and consistent with the subject, and add a slight depth of field.”
With the good prompt, I get an asset that’s 90% client-ready — not something that needs another hour of cleanup.
4. Wireframing
When it comes to UI/UX design, a big part of my process involves exploring multiple layout options and user flows before moving into high-fidelity designs. ChatGPT helps me speed up this early stage by generating wireframe concepts, component lists, and even placeholder copy tailored to the project’s needs.
- Before: Spending 30–45 minutes sketching layout variations and manually writing filler content.
- After: 5 minutes generating 10 wireframe ideas with clearly defined sections, suggested UI patterns, and example copy, then refining the strongest one directly in Figma.
By providing ChatGPT with clear project context — target audience, must-have features, and design style — I get actionable wireframe suggestions that make my mockup process faster and more focused.
Efficiency Gains I’ve Seen
- Faster iteration: What used to take half a day of mockups can now be explored in 30 minutes.
- Better client presentations: AI-generated visuals help clients “see” the idea before production.
- More creative headspace: Less time spent on repetitive tasks means more time for strategy and design thinking
The Threats We Can’t Ignore
There’s no denying that AI is a threat to some aspects of the graphic design field. Entry-level production work — resizing assets, simple retouching, stock photography — can now be done by AI in seconds. This means the value of a designer is shifting away from execution and toward conceptual thinking, brand strategy, and art direction. My view? If we resist AI, we risk becoming irrelevant. If we embrace it, we can position ourselves as creative leads who use AI as a power tool. The designers who will thrive are those who can combine human creativity, brand insight, and technical skills with AI’s speed and versatility.
Final Thoughts
AI isn’t the enemy of creativity — it’s a new medium. Just like Photoshop didn’t kill photography, AI won’t kill design. But it will redefine it.
At Helio, my goal is to keep adapting, keep learning, and keep finding ways AI can remove friction from my workflow. That way, I can spend less time wrestling with tools and more time delivering ideas that truly connect with audiences.
Ready to bring your next project to life? We combine human creativity with cutting-edge AI tools to deliver designs that inspire and perform. Contact us today to start your next big idea.
