In a Digital World Flooded with AI-generated Content, How Do Designers Stay Authentic and Still Stay Visible?

Aug 13

How designers can stay authentic and visible in an AI-driven digital world

A conversation between Jenna Gaidusek, Founder of AI for Interior Designers™, and Julia Reinert, Founder of The Lifestyle Historian™

Based on AI for Interior Designers *Podcast Episode 54 - “The Good, the Cringey, and the Real: How Designers Should (and Shouldn’t) Be Using AI on Social Media” with guest Laurie Laizure

Jenna:

In Episode 54 of the AI for Interior Designers™ podcast, I sat down with longtime industry voice Laurie Laizure to talk about something we’re both seeing more and more: a split in the interior design community when it comes to AI. Some designers are jumping in and experimenting with tools, while others are standing back with arms crossed, unsure if AI is worth their time, or even safe to touch.

This episode was all about real talk. No hype. Just an honest look at how AI is showing up in our world, especially on social media, and what designers can do to use it smartly without losing trust or relevance.

Laurie:
“I think that there is a lot of fear surrounding AI. A lot of people think their business is running very well and has for a long time without it. They're not sure why they need it, or if they do in fact need AI.”

Julia:

I feel like everyone is just tired of learning new platforms, tired of investing in tools that overpromise and underdeliver, and just generally fatigued by how fast everything is changing. So of course they’re cautious about AI. It feels like yet another thing you have to master or you’ll fall behind. Admittedly, I am included in this group. As I grow my company and figure out what directions I am going in and how much I can possibly do on my own, I am constantly questioning the role that AI will have in that plan. The fear of being left behind is real.

Jenna:

And that fear is totally understandable. I hear it all the time. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to master everything. In fact, you shouldn’t. You just need to know how to use a few tools well and in a way that supports your workflow and brand. That’s the difference between feeling empowered by AI versus feeling steamrolled by it.

Laurie:
“There’s a lot of questions surrounding what tools should be used, and it is very confusing. Designers have a history of spending a lot of money on things that haven’t worked for them in the past, and they feel burned out from that process.”
“My advice is to get an expert like Jenna who can look at what you specifically do and say, ‘Okay, focus on this and this, and that’s it.’”

Julia:

I think what surprised me most in this episode was how much Laurie emphasized the tone of AI-generated content and how easy it is to spot when someone just pasted in a ChatGPT caption and hit post. Once you notice it, you can’t unsee it.

She used the example when people use ChatGPT to write social media captions and make the mistake of just copying and pasting. They’re not personalizing or editing the content. They’re throwing it up on whatever platform, leaving those big red flags. Whether it is your thoughts and input or not, if your work is perceived to be from ChatGPT, you’re going to lose credibility.

Jenna:

And Gen Z and Gen Alpha? They’re really good at spotting that kind of content. They've grown up online. They can sniff out anything that feels fake, overly polished, or emotionally flat. You might think you're saving time with an AI caption but if it doesn’t sound like you, you’re actually eroding trust with your audience.

Julia:

Yes! We’re not just posting for the sake of staying visible, we’re posting to connect. If AI strips away the authenticity or vulnerability that people are drawn to, then what’s the point?

Laurie:
“So, how do we now break through that monotony to look like an authentic person in a world of AI? How can you use it as a tool but still remain yourself?”

Jenna:

The answer isn’t to reject AI but to use it with intention. You can still create efficiently, but you’ve got to inject your personality. Reword the AI copy. Add your perspective. Keep your tone conversational. I’d rather see an imperfect post that sounds like a real person than a perfect one that could have been written by a bot.

Laurie also made an important point that really resonated with me in how AI can actually be used to amplify designers’ voices, not silence them. Especially when it comes to product knowledge.

Laurie:
“I would love designers to sell product. I would love that to be an income source for designers. It's much more attainable than licensing deals, book deals, being on a television show. That's the stuff I care about. I mean, that's where my heart is.”

Julia:

And it makes sense. Designers know what works and what doesn’t. They know the quality difference between one sofa and another. They’ve lived through delivery issues and tested products in the real world. Why wouldn’t we trust them more than a random influencer doing a product haul?

Jenna:

Exactly. And if AI helps you generate more content so you can spend more time doing paid work, or sharing genuinely useful reviews, then that’s a smart tradeoff. But it has to be real. Because your authority and your integrity as a designer are what make you credible.

Final Thoughts (from both of us):

AI isn’t going away. But neither is your voice, your experience, or your ability to connect as a real human.

So if you're unsure where to start, start small. Be curious, not overwhelmed. Personalize your posts. Choose tools that actually help you, not just the newest or loudest ones. And never forget what Laurie said when she was discussing designers selling products using AI tools:

“As long as it’s real information, from a good place, and I’m helping a real small business, why wouldn’t I be happy doing that? Even if it is from AI.”

Listen to the full episode here

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Expert Resources and Next Steps

The DAIly Training Program - Comprehensive AI implementation for design professionals
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AI Interior Design Tools: Game-Changing Technology for Creative Professionals