How I Use AI as a Design Sounding Board (without bothering my colleagues)

I’ve always admired graphic designers. You create something and think, “Looks pretty decent.” Then you hand it off to a designer… and BOOM. A different font here, a bit more white space there — and suddenly everything just clicks. It feels right. I find that magical.

For the website of my Dartschool.ai project, I also worked with a designer. The result? Exactly the look and feel I had in mind: playful, clever, and just the right touch of quirky.

But that’s only the beginning.

Design check: does it really work? 

Good design is great — but is it also user-friendly? Accessible? Clear for the audience I’m targeting?

That’s where three types of “design critics” come in:

• UX/UI designers – to check whether the site flows logically and feels intuitive

• Accessibility experts – to ensure it works for users with visual or motor impairments

• Other graphic designers – who spot things you completely missed

And me? I’m lucky to have colleagues from all three groups. Brilliant people.

Also: incredibly busy. And I don’t want to push my personal side project onto their already full plates.

So how do I get honest design feedback without bugging anyone?

Enter: AI.

These days, I use ChatGPT as my first digital design feedback partner. Not a replacement for a real expert — but a smart, low-barrier sparring partner that’s always available.

What can AI actually do in design feedback?

AI tools like ChatGPT can help you evaluate your design through the lens of:

• UX: navigation, hierarchy, usability

• UI: color usage, typography, visual balance

• Accessibility: contrast, readability, mobile experience

No, AI isn’t a designer. But it can reason like one — if you feed it the right prompts.

And that’s where the magic lies.

What do I actually ask ChatGPT?

When reviewing the new Dartschool site, these were some of my questions:

• Is the core message clear to visitors?

• Are the colors accessible for people with visual impairments?

• How’s the hierarchy between titles, text, and buttons?

• What could improve the homepage flow?

The answers? Surprisingly useful. Sometimes affirming, often confronting.

My go-to prompts for design feedback

Here are a few prompts you can steal for your own work:

General UX check

Give a thorough evaluation of this website design across three aspects: UX (navigation, hierarchy, usability), UI (colors, typography, visual appeal), and accessibility (readability, contrast, mobile responsiveness). Consider the target audience: casual darts players interested in AI. Offer practical suggestions for each area.

Color & readability

Assess the color scheme of this page. Are the contrasts strong enough? Is the text readable for users with visual impairments? What would you change to make the design calmer and more inclusive?

Message clarity

Review this homepage design. Is the message clear? Can a first-time visitor immediately understand what the site offers?

Simulate an expert panel

Act as a team of three experts: a UX designer, a graphic designer, and an accessibility specialist. Each of you provides separate feedback on this homepage design.

What do I get out of it?

• Quick, honest feedback — without needing anyone’s time

• A reality check: is the design inclusive and understandable?

• Practical suggestions to discuss with my designer — or apply myself

For me, it’s co-creation with AI:

The designer brings the vision to life.

AI pushes us to think sharper.

And I keep the big picture in view.

Want to try it yourself?

• Take a screenshot of your design

• Upload it to ChatGPT (or any visual AI tool)

• Use one or more of the prompts above

• See what comes out — test it, tweak it, or just reflect

You don’t need to be a design expert.

Just ask smart questions.

And let AI do the rest.