How I Use AI to Build Faster, Think Deeper, and Stay Human
AI is a core part of my workflow, acting as a multiplier for skill, not a replacement. I use it to get to the good stuff faster, remove friction, and enhance creative thinking, all while keeping human judgment at the center.
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Designing from the Middle: A Philosophy of Presence in Product and Code
When people ask about my approach to design and development, I often say I work from the middle. It's not a slogan, it's the most accurate way I can describe how I make decisions. The middle is a point of presence, a place where competing forces can be held together without collapsing into extremes.
AI has become a core part of how I work, not as a replacement for skill, but as a multiplier. I don't use it to cut corners. I use it to get to the good stuff faster. To remove friction. To move from idea to execution with less waste and more clarity.
But beyond speed, AI has also shifted how I think. It's become a creative partner, one that helps me explore more possibilities without losing focus on what matters most: the people we're building for.
"AI is a multiplier for skill, not a replacement. I use it to get to the good stuff faster."
Faster Doesn't Mean Rushed
When I say AI makes me faster, I don't mean I'm automating the entire build. I still design, develop, and debug with intent. What AI helps me do is reduce cognitive load, generate boilerplate, suggest component structures, scaffold features, or summarise dense technical docs.
That means I spend less time on setup and more time refining, solving, and shipping.
It's not about shortcuts. It's about streamlining the parts that don't need to be slow.
Thinking With, Not Just Through
I also use AI to sharpen my thinking. I treat it like a second brain, a sounding board for architecture decisions, product logic, or even brand voice. I prompt it with constraints, contradictions, or half-formed ideas and use its responses to stress-test my assumptions.
Sometimes, it shows me a new way in. Other times, it confirms what I already know. Either way, the process is collaborative.
Staying Human in the Loop
What makes the work good isn't the tech, it's the judgment. AI can suggest a layout, but only a human can sense whether it feels right. It can write code, but it can't feel friction in a user journey. It can spot a bug, but not explain the context that gave rise to it.
So I stay in the loop. I make the decisions. I read between the lines.
"What makes the work good isn't the tech, it's the judgment."
AI gives me more space to do the work that requires care, experience, and human insight.
How I Integrate AI Into Projects
- Scaffolding early builds – Getting from idea to prototype faster using code generation and layout tools.
- Automating repetitive tasks – Like content formatting, test writing, or schema generation.
- Enhancing UX workflows – Using AI for suggestions, smart defaults, or intelligent search.
- Improving communication – Summarising stakeholder input, writing documentation, or transforming technical language for non-technical teams.
- Experimenting creatively – Building agents, voice interfaces, or exploratory tools that push beyond the standard web experience.
Final Thoughts
"Used well, AI gives me more time to do the real work: thinking clearly, designing purposefully, and solving meaningful problems." Leantonio Nelson
It's not about working less. It's about removing friction between insight and impact.
If you're building something and want to move fast without breaking clarity, this is where I do my best work.