Objective: In this stage of the design thinking process, my main objective was to develop a clear layout for the app.

The three key features:

The goal: was to create a visual and functional representation of how these features would be organized within the app to ensure easy and effective navigation. By focusing on these main features, I aimed to address user needs effectively and prepare for usability testing.

AI Usage: To assist with the layout and design ideas, I used Figma AI. This generative AI tool helped me brainstorm and visualize potential arrangements for the app’s interface. I specifically asked Figma AI for suggestions on how to user-friendly layout that could accommodate the three main features. One prompt I used was: “ user-friendly layout for an app with task prioritization, calendar syncing, and sharing availability features.” In response, the AI provided layout concepts that showed where each feature could be placed for optimal accessibility and flow. These suggestions helped me overcome my initial struggle with deciding the placement of certain elements and gave me a clearer picture of how the app could look. Using AI in this way allowed me to quickly generate ideas and explore different design possibilities.

Benefits and Challenges: The use of Figma AI brought benefits to the design process. It accelerated the ideation phase by offering visual suggestions that I might not have considered on my own. This saved time and helped me focus on refining the concepts rather than getting stuck on basic layout decisions. AI also inspired creativity by presenting fresh perspectives on how to organize the app’s features. However, there were challenges as well. Sometimes the AI’s suggestions didn’t fully align with my vision or the specific needs of the app, so I had to adjust and customize the layouts accordingly.

Reflection: Reflecting on AI’s role in this stage, it was clear that the tool served as a helpful assistant rather than a replacement for human decision-making. The AI helped speed up the creative process by providing layout ideas, but the final design choices and user testing were tasks that required human judgment and insight. I used AI to generate initial concepts, then created a paper prototype of the three key features to test with users. This prototype helped gather feedback on the effectiveness and usability of the design.