Building a Brand for Designers Facing an AI-Powered Future

As generative AI began reshaping creative work, I saw an opportunity ... and a gap. While most of the conversation focused on replacing designers, no one was helping designers rethink what made their work valuable. After Design is my response: a brand and platform to help creative professionals navigate this shift, find their footing, and build a more resilient future. I built the brand, strategy, content, and site. All in under two weeks.

Company: After Design

Role: Creator

Timeline: Two weeks

Tools Used: ChatGPT, Midjourney, WordPress, Kit (ConvertKit), Photoshop, Procreate

Problem

Creative professionals are facing real anxiety about AI, automation, and shifting expectations. Designers, in particular, are being asked to deliver more, faster, and often with fewer resources. But most of the available content either overhyped the threat or ignored it entirely. There was no grounded, honest place to talk about what happens after design becomes commoditized.

Solution

I created After Design as a platform that offers clarity and support to designers navigating AI disruption. The brand tone is human, slightly skeptical, but hopeful. The voice is direct, avoiding the usual “inspiring” fluff, and focused on real insight. I developed a brand identity (mixing human-drawn elements and computer typography), content pillars, and launch strategy, all centered around a simple question: what do designers need to hear right now?

Execution

  • Built the brand from scratch: name, identity, strategy, and site
  • Designed the site using AI-generated visual elements (images, CSS accents, and page copy)
  • Wrote and launched a weekly email newsletter that’s now 90+ issues in
  • Created lead magnets and opt-in flows to convert readers to subscribers and consulting leads
  • Used the site as a working prototype to test new ideas, refine tone, and gauge interest

Results

  • Built and launched the site in under 2 weeks
  • Landed the first consulting client within 2 weeks of launch
  • Gained 1,000 newsletter subscribers organically, with high engagement
  • Sparked multiple podcast invitations and industry recognition
  • Became the foundation for a broader personal brand strategy focused on AI, design, and marketing
  • Inspired me to write The Visual Marketer

Related Visuals

Hand-drawn lines to give it organic feel AI-generated website Newsletter distributed on Kit and LinkedIn
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