How Designers Envision Value-Oriented AI Design Concepts with Generative AI

2026-04-30

AI Summary

Generative AI functions simultaneously as both a design tool and a design material, engendering recursive value tensions that challenge designers in envisioning AI-enabled solutions to reconcile competing values and anticipate potential harms. Drawing on design envisioning workshops and semi-structured interviews with 18 designers, this study conducts a qualitative analysis that extends Schön’s “reflection-in-action” framework, revealing a reflective design thinking process centered on harm identification as a critical signal. Findings indicate that designers demonstrate recursive reflection capabilities, awareness of multi-layered value tensions, and proactive assessment of risks related to the propagation of tool-induced biases. Building on these insights, the study advances a novel perspective that positions design at the foundational core of AI development.

Abstract

As AI integrates into design practice, designers increasingly use generative AI tools to envision AI-enabled solutions, positioning AI as both design tool and design material. This dual role creates recursive value tensions distinct from traditional design work. We engaged 18 designers in a concept envisioning activity and interviews to understand how they navigate values and recognize potential harms in this context. Our analysis reveals that (i) designers engage in reciprocal reflection-in-action with AI; (ii) this process surfaces multi-level value tensions across tool, designer, and concept; (iii) designers demonstrate greater attunement to harm recognition as a primary design signal than to articulating positive value fulfillment; and (iv) designers exercise anticipatory judgment through meta-design reasoning about how tool assumptions risk propagating into designed concepts and future use contexts. We extend Schon's reflection-in-action framework and discuss implications for redesigning AI-mediated design tools, supporting harm-centered reasoning, and positioning design as foundational to AI development.

Problem

• value tensions
• generative AI
• design practice
• harm recognition
• AI-mediated design

Innovation

• generative AI
• value tensions
• reflection-in-action
• harm recognition
• meta-design reasoning