EP 54: Authenticity in the Age of AI - Real Talk with Laurie Laizure from Interior Design Community

In episode 54, Jenna and Laurie dive deep into the current state of AI in the design world, especially how it’s showing up (for better or worse) on social media. Laurie gives a brutally honest take on how many designers are either all-in with AI or still sitting on the sidelines waiting to see if it’s worth the hype. Spoiler: it is, but not the way some people are using it.

This episode is like a fireside chat between two industry vets who’ve been on the front lines of design and tech, and aren’t afraid to call out the nonsense. Here’s what you’ll learn: The Real Talk on AI Use in Design

• There’s a huge range in adoption—from “wait and see” legacy firms to new-school designers building custom GPTs for daily use.
• Some designers are using AI responsibly to get time back. Others? Not so much—think generic content and passing off AI work as their own.
• Ethics are messy. And Laurie’s not afraid to call out friends when their captions scream ChatGPT.

Social Media Faux Pas & Fixes

• Laurie breaks down the dead giveaways of AI-generated content: overuse of em dashes, awkward emojis, weird formatting, and cringey comparative statements.
• Gen Z and Gen Alpha already see through AI content. If your 9-year-old can spot it, your clients can too.
• They both agree: use AI for support, but don’t let it erase your actual voice. Even misspelled captions can feel more “real” than polished AI output.

Designers as Product Guides, Not Influencers

• Laurie makes a strong case for designers stepping into more product-forward roles. Think: guiding consumers toward quality, not just pretty photos.
• AI avatars could be a bridge for camera-shy designers to share their expertise without losing authenticity.
• The market is craving trusted advisors—and designers are perfectly positioned to fill that role if they lean in.

AI: Tool vs. Threat

• There’s a looming risk: brands using designers’ IP to build consumer-facing tools that cut out the designer entirely.
• Jenna shares how she works behind the scenes with developers to advocate for the industry (and call out red flags).
• Both stress the importance of designers protecting their work and not blindly handing it over to platforms that might undermine them later.

 Advice for Designers Dipping into AI

• You don’t need every tool. Just the right one for how you work.
• Work with someone (ahem, Jenna) who gets the design industry and can show you how to use AI to save time without losing your soul.
• AI isn’t a shortcut for thinking. Quality in, quality out. Garbage in? Well… you get it.

Final Thought AI isn’t going away. But neither is the need for real, human insight—especially in an industry built on connection, curation, and creativity. Laurie and Jenna agree: authenticity is what’s going to cut through the AI noise. And designers? You’ve got more power than you think. 🔗 Listen to the episode here: To the Trade: How eDesign Tribe Founder Jenna Gaidusek is Revolutionizing Interior Design (Interior Design Community Podcast)

 

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