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How a designer can use AI, task by task

O*NET 27-1029.00: Designers, All Other15 common activities

All designers not listed separately.

How this page is built: O*NET doesn't publish a task list for this catch-all occupation. This playbook is built from the related occupations it groups together: the work activities most of them share, classified the same way as every other task on the site. For a full task list, see Art Directors, Craft Artists, Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators, Special Effects Artists and Animators, Commercial and Industrial Designers, Fashion Designers, Floral Designers, Graphic Designers.
Type your own title and every prompt on this page updates to match. Also called: —.

Where AI fits in this job

AI-ready 16%AI-assist 63%Stays human 21%

Share of the job's common activities across related occupations, weighted by how important and how frequent each task is (O*NET ratings). 3 AI-ready, 8 AI-assist and 4 human-led tasks out of 15. This measures where AI can help, not whether the job will disappear.

Shape of the job: importance of each kind of work activity (O*NET, 1 to 5).

🗓 Start here on Monday

The most frequent, most important tasks where AI can help right away.

  1. Draw detailed or technical illustrations.Create & design · Weekly
  2. Develop artistic or design concepts for decoration, exhibition, or commercial purposes.Create & design · Weekly
  3. Confer with clients to determine needs.Prepare to ask · Weekly

💪 Lean into these

Core tasks that stay human. These skills get more valuable as the routine work gets automated.

  1. Construct distinctive physical objects for artistic, functional, or commercial purposes.Hands-on work · Weekly
  2. Build models, patterns, or templates.Hands-on work · Monthly
  3. Coordinate design activities.Lead people · Weekly

AI can draft these 3

AI produces a usable first pass. You review it, fix it and own it.

Conduct research to inform art, designs, or other work.

WeeklyIn 6 related jobs

AI is a patient tutor for new rules and techniques.

Show prompt & steps

AI is a patient personal tutor. It explains new rules, techniques and technology at your level, quizzes you and builds a study plan.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a designer. Part of my job is to conduct research to inform art, designs, or other work.

Context: The work draws on fine arts, design and communications and media.
Project: [design, artwork, safety research]
Question: [what you need to know]

Summarize relevant knowledge and sources. Use examples from my line of work, quiz me with 5 questions one at a time, and list trustworthy sources.

10-minute exercise: Research to inform my work

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you conduct research to inform art (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Project] and [Question] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check one claim against an official or professional source.

AI's knowledge has a cutoff date. For new regulations and standards, always confirm against the official source.

Importance 3.8/5 · O*NET work activity: Conduct research to inform art, designs, or other work..

Maintain records, documents, or other files.

WeeklyIn 4 related jobs

AI writes the first draft from your notes; you check every fact.

Show prompt & steps

Give AI your rough notes, numbers or last version and it will turn them into a clean, well-structured first draft. You check every fact and figure before it goes anywhere.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a designer. Part of my job is to maintain records, documents, or other files.

Context: We use Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Word.
Records: [paper, electronic]
Users: [describe]

Draft a filing structure and naming rules. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Filing system

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you maintain records and documents (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Records] and [Users] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every fact, name and number against your source before it goes anywhere.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Importance 4.0/5 · O*NET work activity: Maintain records, documents, or other files..

Monitor current trends.

MonthlyIn 5 related jobs

AI maps out the topic and options; confirm with real sources.

Show prompt & steps

AI is a fast research assistant. Ask it to map out a topic, compare options or list what to check. Use a tool with web search and ask for its sources.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a designer. Part of my job is to monitor current trends.

Context: The work draws on fine arts, design and communications and media.
Field: [craft, art, design, industry]
Why: [new work, marketing, buying]

List current trends with examples, what's fading, and where to watch for new ones. Give sources I can check and say clearly when you're unsure.

10-minute exercise: Trend scan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you monitor current trends.
Step 2Fill in [Field] and [Why] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Sketch one idea inspired by a trend.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Importance 3.3/5 · O*NET work activity: Monitor current trends..

AI can help you prep these 8

AI speeds up the prep, drafting or thinking. The core of the task is still yours.

Draw detailed or technical illustrations.

WeeklyIn 10 related jobs

AI generates options and references; taste and the final call are yours.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI to generate lots of options, references and rough mock-ups fast. The craft, the taste and the final call are what make it yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a designer. Part of my job is to draw detailed or technical illustrations.

Context: We use Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Creative Cloud software; the work draws on fine arts, design and communications and media.
Subject: [device, fixture, product]
Purpose: [manual, plan, marketing]

Suggest views, labels and style. Give 10 quite different options from safe to bold, then develop the best 2.

10-minute exercise: Technical illustration plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you draw detailed or technical illustrations (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Subject] and [Purpose] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Pick the idea that sparks something and develop it yourself for 5 minutes.

Check the usage rules for AI images and text in your field, and make sure the final work is original.

Importance 3.9/5 · O*NET work activity: Draw detailed or technical illustrations..

Develop artistic or design concepts for decoration, exhibition, or commercial purposes.

WeeklyIn 10 related jobs

AI generates options and references; taste and the final call are yours.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI to generate lots of options, references and rough mock-ups fast. The craft, the taste and the final call are what make it yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a designer. Part of my job is to develop artistic or design concepts for decoration, exhibition, or commercial purposes.

Context: We use Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Creative Cloud software; the work draws on fine arts, design and communications and media.
Project: [interface, craft, exhibit]
Brief: [goals, audience]

Generate 10 concepts and develop 2. Give 10 quite different options from safe to bold, then develop the best 2.

10-minute exercise: Design concepts

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you develop artistic or design concepts (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Project] and [Brief] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Pick the idea that sparks something and develop it yourself for 5 minutes.

Check the usage rules for AI images and text in your field, and make sure the final work is original.

Importance 3.9/5 · O*NET work activity: Develop artistic or design concepts for decoration, exhibition, or commercial purposes..

Confer with clients to determine needs.

WeeklyIn 6 related jobs

AI helps you prepare questions; the listening is yours.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI to prepare better questions and to organize your notes afterward. Listening to the person in front of you is yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a designer. Part of my job is to confer with clients to determine needs.

Context: The work draws on fine arts, design and communications and media.
Project: [design, craft, presentation]
What I need to know: [goals, budget, audience, constraints]

Write brief-taking questions and a summary template. Order the questions sensibly, add follow-ups for vague answers, and give me a note-taking template.

10-minute exercise: Client brief interview

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you confer with clients (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Project] and [What I need to know] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Read the summary back to the client to confirm.

Don't record people or paste their answers into AI without consent and your employer's approval.

Importance 4.3/5 · O*NET work activity: Confer with clients to determine needs..

Select materials or props.

WeeklyIn 6 related jobs

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a designer. Part of my job is to select materials or props.

Context: The work draws on fine arts, design and communications and media.
Piece: [product, artwork, set]
Requirements: [strength, look, cost, weight]

Suggest materials with pros and cons. Give sources I can check and say clearly when you're unsure.

10-minute exercise: Material or prop selection

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you select materials or props (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Piece] and [Requirements] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Open two of the sources it gives and confirm the key claim before you use it.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Importance 4.1/5 · O*NET work activity: Select materials or props..

Present work to clients for approval.

WeeklyIn 5 related jobs

AI helps you prepare clearer wording and likely questions.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI to prepare: simpler wording, analogies, likely questions and a one-page handout. The conversation itself is yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a designer. Part of my job is to present work to clients for approval.

Context: The work draws on fine arts, design and communications and media.
Deliverable or plan: [describe]
Client: [what they care about]

Structure a short presentation: the headline, 3 key points, visuals to show, and answers to likely objections.

10-minute exercise: Client presentation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you present work to clients for approval (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Deliverable or plan] and [Client] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Rehearse once and check every number on the slides.

Rules, prices and policies change. Make sure AI is working from your current official version.

Importance 4.2/5 · O*NET work activity: Present work to clients for approval..

Collaborate with others to develop or refine designs.

WeeklyIn 4 related jobs

AI drafts clear messages and talking points.

Show prompt & steps

AI can draft updates, emails and talking points so your message is clear and complete. Relationships and real-time calls are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a designer. Part of my job is to collaborate with others to develop or refine designs.

Design: [describe]
Issues: [changes, methods]

Draft discussion points and options. Keep it under 150 words with a clear ask, plus a 2-sentence version for chat.

10-minute exercise: Design refinement discussion

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you collaborate with others (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Design] and [Issues] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Edit it until it sounds like you, then send it yourself.

Never let AI send messages for you. Read every word, because tone mistakes cost trust.

Importance 4.0/5 · O*NET work activity: Collaborate with others to develop or refine designs..

Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.

MonthlyIn 5 related jobs

AI preps the paperwork; approving and paying stay with you.

Show prompt & steps

AI can prep the paperwork, extract details from documents and make checklists. Approving, paying and verifying stay with you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a designer. Part of my job is to maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.

Context: We use Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Excel.
Materials: [parts, supplies]
Data: [paste counts]

Organize inventory with reorder flags. Point out anything missing or inconsistent and suggest a template I can reuse.

10-minute exercise: Materials inventory

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you maintain inventories of materials, equipment and products.
Step 2Fill in [Materials] and [Data] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Save the template and use it on the next one. Time both.

Personal, financial and health data shouldn't go into AI tools unless your employer has approved one for it.

Importance 3.8/5 · O*NET work activity: Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products..

Estimate costs for projects or productions.

MonthlyIn 4 related jobs

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a designer. Part of my job is to estimate costs for projects or productions.

Context: We use Microsoft Excel; the work draws on fine arts, design and communications and media.
Project: [describe]
Inputs: [time, materials, fees]

Build a budget table with timeline. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Project budget estimate

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you estimate costs.
Step 2Fill in [Project] and [Inputs] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest. Recompute every total yourself.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Double-check every number. AI can make arithmetic and rounding mistakes.

Importance 3.7/5 · O*NET work activity: Estimate costs for projects or productions..

These stay human 4

They need your hands, your presence or your accountable judgment. Lean into them: they get more valuable as routine work is automated.

Construct distinctive physical objects for artistic, functional, or commercial purposes.

WeeklyIn 5 related jobs

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a designer. Part of my job is to construct distinctive physical objects for artistic, functional, or commercial purposes.

Context: The work draws on fine arts, design and communications and media.
Object: [what I'm making]
Materials and methods: [describe]

List steps, tools and finishing. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Craft piece plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you construct distinctive physical objects (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Object] and [Materials and methods] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Make a small test of any new technique first.

Importance 4.0/5 · O*NET work activity: Construct distinctive physical objects for artistic, functional, or commercial purposes..

Build models, patterns, or templates.

MonthlyIn 6 related jobs

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a designer. Part of my job is to build models, patterns, or templates.

Context: The work draws on fine arts, design and communications and media.
Object: [prototype, pattern]
Materials: [describe]

List build steps and measuring checks. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Model or pattern build

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you build models, patterns and templates.
Step 2Fill in [Object] and [Materials] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Compare the model with the design before production.

Importance 3.7/5 · O*NET work activity: Build models, patterns, or templates..

Coordinate design activities.

WeeklyIn 4 related jobs

Leading people runs on trust. AI can prep the paperwork around it.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can prep the paperwork around leading: meeting agendas, feedback drafts, rotas, briefings and difficult-conversation rehearsals.

Prep prompt

I work as a designer. Part of my job is to coordinate design activities.

Context: The work draws on fine arts, design and communications and media.
Team: [designers, artists]
Project: [describe]

Help me prepare: the key message in 2 sentences, what good looks like, how people might react and how I'll respond, and one thing I'll check next week.

10-minute exercise: Coordinating designers

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you coordinate design activities (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Team] and [Project] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Afterward, note one thing people responded to and one thing you'd change.

Importance 3.7/5 · O*NET work activity: Coordinate design activities..

Arrange artwork, products, or props.

WeeklyIn 3 related jobs

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a designer. Part of my job is to arrange artwork, products, or props.

Context: The work draws on fine arts, design and communications and media.
Items: [artwork, products, props]
Space: [gallery, set, store]

Plan layout, spacing and lighting. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Arranging work or props

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you arrange artwork, products and props (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Items] and [Space] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Step back and view from the audience's position.

Importance 4.0/5 · O*NET work activity: Arrange artwork, products, or props..

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