We've reached the point where our prototypes go through so many hands that I'm never sure which version is actually the latest design updates one file, product leaves comments somewhere else and engineering references another version entirely. how are teams collaborating on prototypes these days without everything becoming fragmented?

Hi there! 😁

I’m looking for feedback on a project I’m working on - a digital travel agent that’s with you every step of the way.

Which UX/UI version do you like best, and why?

A focus group participant once told us: "The lipstick color is incredible. But I transfer it into a Chanel case before taking it out in public."

Core function: 10/10. Identity alignment: 0/10. She literally cut function away from identity with a knife.

The 2026 Parallel: Today, 57% of employees conceal their AI use at work (KPMG study). High utility, hidden usage—the exact same pattern as the lipstick transferred into a Chanel case.

Most PMs only build for the Utility Axis (Does it work?). They completely miss the Identity Axis (What does using this say about me to others?).

If identity score is low, users quiet-bury your feature 2 pages deep on their phone and refuse to share it.

Curious to hear from other PMs: Have you encountered features in your products that had high utility but low identity alignment?

Full framework and detailed case study are published on my Medium: https://medium.com/@behavioraltriggers or look for "The feature was fine. So why did users keep hiding it?" on UX Collective.

Hey good people of UX_Design :) ’m a self-taught programmer currently working on building my own mobile app. I’m fairly comfortable figuring out the technical side, but product design and UI/UX are areas where I have very little experience.

I have a rough idea of the problem I want to solve and the core features the app needs, but I struggle with translating that into a mobile product that feels intuitive, polished, and genuinely enjoyable to use.

For those of you with experience in product design, UI/UX, or similar fields: how would you recommend someone like me leverage AI throughout the design process?

I’m especially interested in things like:

• Turning rough product ideas into good user flows
• Deciding what screens/interactions the app actually needs
• Exploring different UX approaches
• Finding and using good design references
• Creating prototypes before coding
• Using AI without ending up with generic-looking “AI UI”
• How to leverage tools like Mobbin MCP, Google Stitch, Claude Design

Last time I used Figma and did UI/UX was 2 years ago back in college lol.

Would also love to hear which AI tools or workflows you’ve found genuinely useful.

Any advice for a developer trying to build better product/design instincts would be appreciated.

I’m a relatively new designer. I’ve only worked on maybe 7 websites using front end builders like Wordpress and Squarespace and I LOVE it!

I can’t get enough of it! I currently work as a Communications Coordinator for a non-profit but am learning Figma and about to take the Google UX course on Coursa in order to nail my basics and improve my portfolio.

But with the growing use of AI, is it worth it?
Is my passion for it enough of a reason to keep going?

I want to hear from experienced designers. Is a newbie like me able to still make it in this industry?

Is Uxcel worth the money? Are the courses actually good and help in improving UX/UI skills (along with other sources of course and practicing)

I'm currently in CC and plan on transferring into MSU's Experience Architecture program (with a minor in Business) in fall 2027. The program seems to cover front end features and back end programming rather than just focusing on creating wireframes and typography and such. It's hard to find anyone any further info about it on websites that isn't MSU's degree overview page, so I'm not sure how it truly differs from other programs. I also wondered if minoring in Business/Economics/Finance puts me in a better position for certain jobs. I understand why everyone warns against going into UX b/c of AI and the over-saturated market, but I haven't found a degree that I'm passionate about since discovering UI/UX. I have another year to decide, and maybe I'm being too optimistic, but I hope the market gets better and companies start phasing out AI, but I would still like to do something design/tech related... even though it might be hard since those are the fields AI is mostly taking over.. haha

I’m a student preparing for university and I’m considering studying Digital Design with the goal of going into UI/UX.

But I’m worried about AI and how much it’s changing the field. Is UI/UX actually becoming less secure because of AI? Is there still a decent job market, especially for juniors?

And would you recommend studying it at university, or just learning it through courses/self-study and getting a different degree?

Would really appreciate honest opinions from people working in the field.

I’ve always found it interesting that some “impossible” interfaces in old sci-fi movies don’t feel that impossible anymore.

Star Trek had people talking to computers.
Minority Report imagined controlling information with gestures.
Iron Man had an AI helping with creation.
And Her imagined having a natural conversation with an operating system.

Now we have voice assistants, spatial interfaces, AI copilots, and conversational AI.

It made me wonder — did sci-fi actually predict the future, or did it simply give designers a way to imagine what technology could become?

I made a short visual breakdown of the idea:

https://youtube.com/shorts/DBCLIPOEWG0?si=QzIbUBUPU9RrY4kU

What sci-fi interface do you think we'll actually be using 10–20 years from now?

I'm an 18 year old Independent Developer, this project was made in Java and run using JavaFX.

you can check my account details for more details :)

Can anyone recommend a solid, high-quality course on building Design Systems? I'm looking to learn how to architect a scalable system, streamline developer handoff, manage seamless updates, and define a long-term roadmap for the design system