The design process is dead. Here’s what’s replacing it. | Jenny Wen (head of design at Claude)

The discussion centers on the evolving role of design in the age of AI, particularly how engineering advancements are reshaping design processes. Jenny Wen, formerly head of design for Claude and a design leader at Figma, shares her perspective on these shifts. A key point is the decline of the traditional design process, emphasizing extensive research and detailed mockups, as engineers can now rapidly prototype and ship features using AI tools. Design work is becoming stratified into supporting implementation and creating a broader vision, with vision shifting to a shorter three-to-six-month outlook. The conversation also explores how designers can maintain craft, quality, and trust in a fast-paced environment, advocating for building trust through speed and iteration.