In product design, the pace has always mattered. But with the rise of AI, that pace hasn’t just accelerated—it’s fundamentally shifted. Design work that once took weeks now takes days. Tasks that were manual are now automated. And the expectation to deliver high-quality experiences, fast, is now the norm.

The result? Product design has entered a new rhythm—and many teams and training models haven’t caught up.

From Process-Heavy to Pace-Led

Before AI, much of product design followed a step-by-step cadence. Research, wireframes, feedback loops, high-fidelity mocks, dev handoff. It was structured, predictable, and (mostly) linear.

But AI has collapsed that structure. Designers can now generate flows, content, insights, and even prototypes in seconds. Product teams are skipping steps, iterating faster, and shipping sooner.

The new cadence is no longer linear. It’s looped, fast, and always on.

AI Has Moved Us Into Real-Time

• Need a copy tweak? AI can suggest it instantly.

• Need a wireframe for a new flow? Generate a starting point in seconds.

• Need a prototype? AI can build a functioning one in seconds.

• Need user feedback? AI can summarize it before you finish your coffee.

• Need a design rationale or competitive teardown? AI can surface the essentials fast.

• Need help turning research into action? AI can organize and extract the insights you need.

This speed means we’re no longer waiting on stakeholders, tools, or templates. Designers are building in real-time, reviewing in real-time, and learning in real-time. That changes everything—from collaboration to expectations to how we measure value.

The New Expectations for Designers

With AI in the mix, what’s expected from designers is evolving:

• Faster turnarounds on flows, prototypes, and concepts

• More collaborative iteration, often live with PMs or engineers

• Better judgment, to filter AI output and turn noise into clarity

• Stronger communication, to align fast-moving work with team goals

• Up-to-date skillsets, because yesterday’s workflows don’t work today

It’s no longer enough to know the tools. Designers need to know how to move with the tools.

Why Training Must Match the Cadence

Traditional training models were built for a slower era—monthly modules, quarterly courses, yearly upskilling. But when the design process itself is evolving weekly, static curriculums leave designers behind.

That’s why we’ve shifted to monthly, research-led training. Each month, we focus on one high-impact topic, rooted in real conversations with working designers. Then we deliver live workshops and on-demand courses—all inside Figma—to help designers practice what’s changing now, not six months ago.

The speed of AI demands a dynamic training model—one that adapts as fast as the tools and workflows do.

What’s Next?

AI won’t slow down. If anything, it’ll keep reshaping how we design, test, and ship products.

The question for designers and teams isn’t whether to adopt AI—but how quickly they can adapt to the new cadence it creates.

Product Design has changed. The pace has changed. Now training needs to change too.