Design for the AI era

Engaged Inquiry presents a foundational design practice for the current era of generative systems. This methodology posits that the product specification itself is the core deliverable, with on-screen manifestations being a direct consequence. Key principles include: • Establishing a governing principle upstream of generative processes • Authoring five dimensions of digital experience: Screen, Context, Content, Time, and Trust • Prioritizing conceptual design before any build phase begins This framework argues that the challenges observers identify in generated design stem not from the technology, but from the absence of a clear, guiding principle that precedes its operation. It emphasizes a structured approach to defining the essence of a digital experience, ensuring that resulting outputs are coherent and intentional. "Design for the Era" provides a comprehensive examination of these concepts, detailing how critical decisions—often made tacitly—have collectively eroded essential layers of digital design. It offers a path to restore intentionality and craft. This resource is ideal for digital product designers, strategists, and development teams seeking to establish robust design governance for complex projects. A free PDF is available for download, and the full book can be purchased via Amazon.