About

Research Focus

My PhD research explores the transformative impact of generative AI on visual communication design, focusing on its influence on design methodologies, workflows, and creative practices. Through a combination of practice-based research and theoretical inquiry, I examine the evolving relationship between human designers and AI tools—how these technologies augment, automate, or challenge traditional design thinking and processes.

This research also critically examines the ethical implications of AI in design practice, including authorship, bias, transparency, and responsible AI use. By systematically documenting my own AI-assisted design practice, I aim to develop frameworks for understanding the rapidly shifting human-AI design frontier, particularly in relation to design thinking, creativity, and professional ethics.

Research Objectives

This research seeks to:

• Develop frameworks for effective human-AI collaboration in design
• Identify best practices for AI integration into design workflows
• Examine ethical considerations such as authorship, bias, and accountability in AI-augmented design
• Contribute to critical discourse on the future of design practice in an AI-augmented world

Current Projects

As the research progresses, a series of projects will investigate AI-assisted creative workflows, critical design methodologies, and ethical frameworks for AI integration in design practice.

The first of these, AAABestPrompts.com, serves as both a research tool and documentation platform, demonstrating human-AI collaboration in web development. Built from scratch with AI assistance, it provides a practical case study while showcasing experimental work and findings. This process is being more fully documented in the blog section and project gallery of this site.

Ongoing and future projects include:

• Systematic investigations of prompt engineering in image generation
• Development of AI-assisted design workflows across different creative contexts
• Exploration of ethical considerations in AI-augmented design practice, including issues of bias, transparency, and the evolving role of designers

This project list will continue to expand as new insights emerge, shaping the evolving trajectory of the research.

Research Methodology

Using an auto-ethnographic methodology and grounded theory approach, this research combines practical experimentation with critical reflection. Through systematic documentation of AI-assisted design processes, I examine both the technical capabilities and limitations of current tools, while considering their broader implications for design education and professional practice.

Professional and Academic Context

With over three decades of experience in visual communication design, my work spans both professional practice and academic research, bridging industry expertise with critical inquiry into emerging technologies.

As both an educator and practitioner, I approach this research from a dual perspective—examining the practical and ethical implications of AI in professional design workflows while also considering its pedagogical impact on design education. This includes exploring:

• AI’s influence on creative processes, critical thinking, and industry expectations
• The ethical dimensions of AI integration in design education and professional practice
• Its role in curriculum development and the evolving skillsets of future designers

This intersection between practice and pedagogy informs a broader inquiry: how can AI be integrated into visual communication design in ways that uphold creative integrity, critical engagement, and professional adaptability?