Reflections 2025: Looking Back to Leap Forward
I’ve always believed that to look forward effectively, you must first look back. As we wrap up the first month of 2026, it’s clear that while the tools of our trade are changing at lightning speed, the core of our value remains rooted in human judgment.
Here are two key shifts I believe will define the rest of the year ahead.
1. From Craftspeople to Guardians
The AI debate often centres on the "craft"—the pixels and the automation. But the real shift is happening in our responsibilities. As AI handles the laborious, repetitive parts of design, our role is evolving into that of critical thinkers. We are becoming the natural guardians of ethics in product development. Our value won't be measured by how fast we can output, but by our ability to ask the difficult questions:
• Should this be built?
• How does this impact the edge cases?
• Where does the liability lie?
In 2026, we must shift from simply building products to intentionally designing experiences.
2. Soft Skills: The Ultimate Design Tool
Last year, many of my talks focused on a simple truth: you must know your stakeholders as well as you know your users. Despite the technological upheaval, the "human" side of the office remains unchanged.
Building relationships and securing buy-in is still where the most important work happens. Influential designers aren't just those who use the best tools; they are the ones who build trust. Refined soft skills are what allow you to move from being a "service provider" to a valued strategic partner.
The State of the Industry
Interestingly, 2025 felt like a continuation of 2024's narrative. While technology is sprinting ahead, the industry is moving at a steady pace. We are still navigating a landscape of layoffs and a shifting job market.
However, this friction only highlights our necessity. Even as the market stabilises, the core mission remains: companies need designers to ensure they are solving the right problems. Technology will continue to evolve, but our ability to navigate complexity with empathy and critical thought is what will keep us indispensable.
