2.7 KiB
2.7 KiB
Module 01: Why WDS Matters
Learn how to be indispensable in the AI era
Module Overview
This foundational module transforms how you think about your role as a designer in the AI era. You'll learn why mastering WDS makes you irreplaceable and how to become a linchpin designer - the person who makes things happen.
Time: ~30 minutes (3 lessons × 10 min each) Prerequisites: None - this is where you start!
What You'll Learn
- Why designers are more valuable than ever in the AI era
- The difference between factory work and linchpin work
- What AI can and cannot do in design
- The 5 dimensions of design thinking
- How to become the gatekeeper between business and user needs
- The paradigm shift: design becomes specification
Lessons
Lesson 1: The Problem We're Solving
Time: 10 minutes
Understanding the factory mindset and the AI era:
- Why learning WDS matters
- What you'll gain from this course
- Factory mindset vs linchpin mindset
- AI threat for cogs
- AI opportunity for linchpin designers
Lesson 2: Becoming a Linchpin Designer
Time: 10 minutes
The solution: WDS methodology:
- What makes a linchpin designer
- The designer's gift: user-centric creativity
- The designer as gatekeeper
- From cog to linchpin designer
- The paradigm shift: design becomes specification
Lesson 3: Your Transformation
Time: 10 minutes
From replaceable to indispensable:
- The 5 dimensions of design thinking
- Your transformation as a designer
- Real-world case studies (Dog Week)
- Module completion and next steps
Key Concepts
Linchpin Designer:
- Walks into chaos and creates order
- Invents solutions nobody expected
- Bridges business, psychology, and technology
- Delivers results when there's no roadmap
User-Centric Creativity:
- Understanding WHY users feel frustrated
- Connecting business goals to human needs
- Creating experiences that feel right
- Making judgment calls that serve people
- Being the gatekeeper for quality
The Paradigm Shift:
- The design becomes the specification
- The specification becomes the product
- The code is just the printout
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this module, you will:
- ✅ Understand why designers are irreplaceable in the AI era
- ✅ Know the difference between cog work and linchpin work
- ✅ Recognize what AI can and cannot do
- ✅ See how specifications replace prompting
- ✅ Be motivated to master the WDS methodology
Start Learning
Begin with Lesson 1: The Problem →