Design Gist

Design Gist
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Enny and Elsy explore how cultural factors influence the design process, particularly in the context of designing for African users.

  1. 5d ago

    Why Designers are losing control of the AI creativity conversation

    AI is changing the creative industry, but what happens when it starts recreating the work of designers? In this episode, we explore where the line should be drawn when using AI, how designers can navigate this rapidly changing landscape, and what all of this means for the future of creativity and the society. We also discussed the ethics surrounding its use, and the tension between objective standards and subjective perspectives. 🎧 Listen in and join the gist. Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:04 AI Is changing more than just design 00:07 Recap of the last episode 00:22 The need for permission to recreate a design with ai 00:52 Is virality changing how we create? 01:24 What happens to creative jobs as AI gets better? 02:04 Where should designers draw the line with AI? 02:23 What’s new? 02:52 Has AI changed what we consider “good” design? 03:56 Who should regulate AI in the creative industry? 05:01 Why AI-generated content hits differently 05:19 The ethical problems AI creatives can’t ignore 05:57 Can creativity stay authentic in the age of AI? 07:03 Permission and consent in AI use 07:59 Can humans & AI actually create together? 08:17 Who decides what good design looks like? 08:56 Should we be more open to different views on AI? 12:08 Is creative quality objective or subjective? 15:46 Where is AI taking creativity? 20:01 How AI could change culture & society 24:33 So how do we navigate the AI era?

    Why Designers are losing control of the AI creativity conversation

  2. Aug 30

    Don’t Feed My Work to AI: Irapada on AI, Imitation, Consent & Creativity

    “Don’t feed my work to AI.” That was the response from Nigerian motion designer Irapada Abraham after an AI creator recreated his work and posted it online. But where exactly is the line between inspiration and imitation? Does credit make a difference? Should you ask permission before using someone's work as an AI reference? And if a human can study and recreate another designer's work, why should AI be any different? In this episode, Irapada joins us to unpack the controversy and share his perspective on AI, creativity, and what it means to be a motion designer in 2026. We also talk about the future of motion design, whether AI will take creative jobs, how designers can adapt, and what it's really like building a creative career in Nigeria. Watch/listen and tell us: Where do you draw the line? Connect with Irapada: IG page: https://www.instagram.com/irapss.ae?igsi=azcwNWw5ZjFiaXh6&utm_source=qr Twitter page: https://x.com/irapss_ae?s=11 His portfolio: http://irapsinmotion.cv His product thumbs up as promised: https://x.com/motionimo/status/2092099678032568673/video/1

    Don’t Feed My Work to AI: Irapada on AI, Imitation, Consent & Creativity

  3. Aug 16

    Do We Need More Visual Designers?

    In this episode we explore the other side of design, the parts that don't get talked about nearly enough. We discuss overlooked areas like wayfinding, technical illustration, agricultural branding, pharmaceutical packaging and service design. We ask why design in Nigeria and across Africa is so often reduced to logos, branding and digital interfaces, when design can also shape systems, processes, environments and entire experiences. We also explore the service design gap, and how designers can evolve as AI changes the industry, and whether the answer lies in finding new niches. And, of course, we end up asking the bigger question: what actually makes someone a designer? Chapters (00:00) Intro (00:14) Product Thumbs Up & Thumbs Down (07:56) The Design Niches We Don’t Talk About (10:08) What Does It Mean to Be a Designer? (14:00) Wayfinding & Designing Experiences (19:58) Why Are These Design Areas So Overlooked? (27:20) The Service Design Gap in Nigeria (35:04) What Exactly Is Service Design? (37:23) Copying vs. Adapting Solutions for Africa (45:41) Finding Your Niche in an Oversaturated Industry (50:47) How Do Designers Evolve With the Times? (54:32) Specialization vs. Being a Multidisciplinary Designer (58:31) Again what Makes Someone a Designer? (1:04:58) What Is Design? (1:08:41) Finding the Unsaturated Parts of Design (1:10:59) Social Media Gist: The GoLemon Story (1:14:04) Outro

    Do We Need More Visual Designers?

  4. May 17

    Too many choices, too little decisions: Analysis Paralysis

    In this episode, we talk about analysis paralysis. We also got into the discourse around Nomba (formerly Kudi) going viral for allegedly vibe-coding their website redesign. Product 👍: Tailwind colors, Google Gemini summarising long email threads Product 👎: iOS Photos App collections Concepts discussed: Analysis paralysis in e-commerce (Amazon, Temu, Shein)Stakeholder pressure as a driver of overloaded UIsInformation hierarchy and prioritising primary user tasksAI-assisted personalisation as a possible (imperfect) solutionThe "casino effect" in e-commerce designVibe coding and what AI-generated design actually looks like in the wildDesigners communicating ROI to non-designer stakeholdersBPMN (Business Process Model and Notation) — yes, it's relevant, please stay with usKey takeaway for designers:Know your user's primary task. Build the hierarchy around that task. Follow us: Instagram: @designgistpod

  5. Mar 22

    Social media (Design Gist) special

    We had big plans to break down analysis paralysis from the Laws of UX deck, but Enny's mic had other ideas. What you're getting instead: our intro (which slaps), and a social media listening session where we gist about Google Stitch's new features, Anthropic's survey about what people actually want from AI, and a spicy take about discovery on the internet being dead (due to hyperpersonalisation).

  6. Feb 15

    In the era of AI-assisted design

    We're looking at AI-assisted design today. We talked about how the 'designer' title has evolved and how to design with AI without losing your creative voice. Plus, we're breaking down the brand designer vs. product designer debate that blew up on Naija design Twitter few weeks ago. We're also giving you a free design system template to start designing with AI today. 👍 Product Thumbs Up: Dayo Cyrus on Instagram@wearegst and their influence on graphic designers making infographics relating to Nigerian corruption👎 Product Thumbs Down: Microsoft Excel redesigniOS Photos collectionApple Magic mouse (yes, still)The Evolution of Design Tools Mini history lesson: how the term "designer" came to beHow fast new tools are being shipped right nowTools We're Watching: Claude CodeFigma's Vectorise toolRemotionChatGPT's Atlas2026 Design Process & Toolkit with AI How it differs from the traditional design processWorking with AI on side projects vs. in big teamsThe hidden costs and trade-offs nobody talks aboutBypassing developers: building real apps, not just prototypesWhy you need to pass your design philosophy to AI before anything elseIs AI-Assisted Design Anti-Creative?We tackle this question head-on with personal experiences and honest takes. Brand Designers vs. Product DesignersWe break down the debate that took over Naija design Twitter a few weeks ago. Hot takes included. 🎁 Free Template: Design Philosophy for AI ToolsWe're sharing our framework for feeding your design philosophy to AI so you can actually build things that match your vision. Download it here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uCvDScQATh6JAFtBWgYD-Z3Z51HI2BK_2rAelzamusM/edit?usp=sharing Follow us on Instagram: @designgistpod © 2026 Design Gist Podcast

  7. Jan 18

    The UX of Flying (Air Peace) to Nigeria

    In what is actually the 31st episode of the Design Gist podcast, we yap about the user experience and customer experience of flying, particularly with Air Peace, a Nigerian airline. We discuss the various phases of air travel, from pre-booking to post-flight, highlighting the importance of design in each of those stages. And the conversation opens up the frustrations and challenges faced by travellers, especially when dealing with third-party booking sites like Trip.com, which can complicate the experience due to misinformation. We share personal anecdotes about our travel experiences, emphasising the need for better communication and user-centred design in the airline industry. We recounted a series of frustrating events, including a lack of clear signage at inaccessible airports, the chaotic atmosphere during baggage claim, unending in-flight delays.... Chapters (00:00) Intro (02:19) Discussing User Experience in Air Travel (14:34) Exploring the Phases of Air Travel (20:18) The Importance of Design in Travel (24:07) Traveling Troubles: A Personal Experience (25:39) How important is Information in Air Travel (30:37) Misinformation from Online Travel Agencies (36:00) The Importance of Transparency in Booking (48:15) Dark UX Patterns in the Travel Industry (51:02) Frustrations with Ticketing and Travel Apps (54:16) Navigating Airport Signage and Wayfinding (01:01:08) Cultural Differences in Customer Service (01:12:45) In-Flight Experiences and Service Quality (01:13:53) Understanding Customer Service Expectations (01:17:05) Anecdotes from the Airline Experience (01:20:05) Critique of Air Peace and Service Failures (01:29:59) The Need for Design Overhaul in Nigerian Air Travel (01:37:51) Innovations in Travel Tech (01:39:10) Customer Experience in Nigeria (01:40:33) Social media gist 01:55:00) In closing

  8. Jan 18

    Cheers to 2026!

    Quick heads up: we had some audio gremlins in this one (ironic for our first episode of the year, we know!). The content's solid though, so stick with us. Better sound coming in the next ep!

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About

Enny and Elsy explore how cultural factors influence the design process, particularly in the context of designing for African users.

Information

  • Creator
    Design Gist
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Design Gist
  • Show Website
    Design Gist