EP. 89 - Redefining UX in the AI Era: From Design to Full-Stack Development with AI Tools

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In this groundbreaking episode of UX for AI, Adam, a veteran UX designer and entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience, shares his journey of leveraging AI to transition from traditional design workflows to building a full-scale LinkedIn competitor—entirely on his own. The discussion dives deep into the seismic shifts happening in the UX/UI landscape as AI tools like Cursor, Claude, and Builder.IO empower designers to take on development roles, blurring the lines between design and engineering.

Adam begins by outlining his ambitious B150 project: a professional social network combining the best of LinkedIn and Reddit, built almost entirely with AI-assisted coding. He reveals how AI has enabled him to overcome technical barriers, allowing him to prototype, iterate, and even pivot rapidly—something that would have required a full engineering team just a year ago. Key to his workflow is the integration of design tools like Figma with AI-powered development environments, where plugins like Builder.IO translate designs directly into React code, while tools like Neon DB handle backend infrastructure seamlessly.

The conversation explores critical lessons for designers navigating this new paradigm:

• The Rise of the "Multi-Tool Designer": Adam argues that UX professionals must now embrace coding (or "vibe coding" with AI) to stay relevant, as companies increasingly consolidate roles. He shares how his hybrid skills in design, product strategy, and AI-aided development have let him operate as a "team of one."
• AI-Driven Workflows: From generating database schemas with ChatGPT to styling components using Tailwind and Radix, Adam breaks down his stack and demonstrates how AI accelerates tasks like authentication (NextAuth), component libraries, and even dark-mode implementations.
• The Pitfalls and Power of AI: While AI tools like Cursor (his preferred alternative to GitHub Copilot) dramatically speed up development, Adam emphasizes that foundational UX thinking—user flows, accessibility, and design systems—still requires human oversight. He recounts rebuilding his entire app from scratch after a hardware failure, stressing the importance of Git hygiene.

Host Behrad and the audience probe Adam on the future of UX careers, with questions like: Should new designers learn to code? How is AI reshaping job expectations? Adam’s answer is optimistic but pragmatic: UX is evolving, not disappearing. Designers who augment their craft with AI and development skills will thrive as "CEOs of the future," capable of owning products end-to-end.

Packed with actionable insights—from Figma-to-code plugins to database best practices—this episode is a masterclass for designers ready to harness AI and redefine their role in the tech ecosystem. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newcomer, Adam’s story proves that with curiosity and the right tools, the gap between design and development has never been smaller.

Interested in joining the podcast? DM Behrad on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/behradmirafshar/
This podcast is made by Bonanza Studios, Germany’s Premier Digital Design Studio:
https://www.bonanza-studios.com/

Chapters

1. Introduction (00:00:00)

2. Guest Introduction: Adam's Background (00:03:02)

3. The B150 Project: Building a LinkedIn Alternative (00:05:11)

4. AI Coding Journey Begins (00:10:19)

5. Tech Stack Deep Dive (00:16:05)

6. Figma-to-Code Workflow (00:30:10)

7. Database Design with AI (00:46:07)

8. Component Library Showcase (00:57:59)

9. Future of UX Careers (01:01:22)

10. Hard Lessons Learned (01:03:21)

11. Q&A & Closing Thoughts (01:03:40)