AI rules.

04.06.2024

As product designers, we have been working on the subject of coffee machines for over 20 years. A tiny period of time compared to the sensational historical designs and apparati, some of which date back to the third millennium BC…

Even if they are just visions and designs of ambitious inventors from the early 19th century – a coffee machine for use under water with a particularly strong flavour, a mobile version for a comfortable and relaxed Atlantic crossing or the design of a coffee machine with an integrated grinder, operated by a cat – these illustrations are no less impressive:

Even nowadays there are groundbreaking designs in all sizes developed. For example a fusion of Minion and kinder surprise egg, which everyone immediately loves, a spectacular system with 1600 bar for the highest demands on aroma and architecture and a new compact device with an integrated USB hub, transversal Internet connection and all-inclusive app on subscription.

But seriously: How does AI help us in developing product design or user interface design? What drives us to integrate AI tools into our design work?

First of all, there is curiosity. Childlike curiosity, coupled with joy, a lot of fun, amazement and astonishment. Like magic. AI amuses, provokes and, not least, serves as a catalyst for thinking “out of the box”. We ask: What does the AI ​​say about this? Depending on the prompts – and this is a new discipline, like riding a wild horse – the results are astonishingly realistic in their presentation, in their structure from surreal to very funny to “actually interesting, but…”. However it develops, it already helps to happily pick up a pen or mouse again.

AI artwork by Danyel Nicholas