Post by Siya Divate

Thanks to Figma, I attended the Figma for Edu webinar today, on making sense of AI as a new designer, and it left me feeling surprisingly grounded. This was not just another discussion about tools or technology; it felt like a space where everyone collectively acknowledged that this era is overwhelming, exciting, confusing, and full of possibility. What struck me most was that Rodrigo Davies, Tammy Taabassum, Robert Managad, Pavan Garidipuri, and Jin Park focused not just on AI but on the designer behind the tool. As someone still growing my voice across visual communication, interaction design, and illustration, that perspective felt grounding. Shaping my identity as a designer, moving from visual communication to interaction—hearing honest conversations about the emotional side of this transition was reassuring. I realized that my journey has been about learning to sit with uncertainty, trusting my creative instincts, and showing up even when the landscape feels unfamiliar. A key takeaway was the reminder that we’re all still learning. None of us have it all figured out, and that’s okay. The things that feel intimidating now won’t feel that way forever. Every time we explore, practice, question, or even fail a little, we grow into the designers we aspire to be. AI will continue to evolve, but what resonated with me is that it doesn’t replace the heart, intuition, and curiosity we bring to our work. This era challenges us to know ourselves better, understand our thinking, values, and how we want to shape the world through design. I’m grateful to Joanna Chen for hosting a session that felt human, honest, and inspiring. Leaving today, I feel a little more confident, a little less afraid, and a lot more excited to keep growing in this rapidly changing space. #FigmaForEdu #DesignCommunity #InteractionDesign #VisualCommunication #UIDesign #ProductDesign #DesignStudents #EmergingDesigners #AIDesign #DesignJourney #CreativeGrowth #LearningInPublic #WomenInDesign #DesignThoughts