AI in UX: Learning from Holiday Ad Misfires
Recently, I came across an insightful piece on AI-generated holiday ads that really made me pause. The article by Huei-Hsin Wang (read more here) highlights how companies like McDonald’s and Coca-Cola have been experimenting with AI-esque holiday campaigns – with results that, frankly, missed the mark and felt rather “creepy” instead of cutting edge.
It got me thinking about how we, as UX designers, need to focus on purpose-driven AI usage. Rather than letting AI simply serve as a flashy gimmick, it should complement our creative processes by building trust and adding genuine value to our designs. The takeaway? Always pair AI tools with a human touch, ensuring that the technology serves our users, not the other way around.
This example serves as a timely reminder not to let innovation overshadow authenticity in our work.
Digital Trends and Top UX Videos of 2025
I also found NN/g’s roundup of the Top 10 UX Videos of 2025 particularly invigorating. The list culls together some stellar content from the UX community, ranging from AI-generated interface designs in “GenUI: AI-Generated Interfaces” to discussions on whether we’re witnessing the “Return of the Generalist.”
These videos offer a pretty diverse view on how AI is being woven into our workflows – even including debates around design staples as mundane as hamburger menus (yes, even the good ol’ hamburger menu received a modern update!). It’s a great reminder that even the seemingly trivial parts of design can drive deep discussions on usability and trend evolution.
For those looking to deepen their AI integration in design, NN/g even offers a related course on AI for Design Workflows (check it out).
Navigating the Pitfalls of Journey Mapping
Another gem I discovered this week was Sarah Gibbons’ video on Common Journey Mapping Mistakes. It’s a quick four-minute watch that encapsulates many of the issues teams encounter when they overcomplicate the mapping process or bypass essential user research.
The video breaks down how critical clarity and focus are when crafting user journeys. It underscored for me that keeping a tight scope and rooting my maps in user needs really does pay dividends in making our designs actionable.
If you’re wrestling with journey maps, I’d recommend giving this a watch – sometimes a four-minute reminder is all you need to get back on track.
Advancing Your AI Strategy in Design
Finally, as the pace of AI integration accelerates, resources like NN/g’s new course on AI Product Strategy and their episode on “AI Accuracy in UX Analysis” are invaluable. The course is designed to help us transition from buzzword-driven ideas to evidence-backed strategic direction, something our field desperately needs as AI tools become more ubiquitous.
This content really resonated with me because it reinforces the idea that while technology can speed up our processes, it’s ultimately the strategy behind it that ensures sustained impact and user trust.
All in all, whether you’re tweaking a journey map or rethinking the role of AI in your next project, these insights offer practical takeaways to boost your design game. Happy designing!