What Is a LLM (and Which One Should You Use as a Designer?)
Hi designers, if you’ve joined one of our workshops or spent some time inside The DAIly, you’ve probably heard me mention “LLMs.” And if your first thought was something like, “Wait, what’s that again?” you’re not alone. A lot of designers are hearing the term more often but aren’t totally sure what it means or how it fits into their workflow. So let’s keep it simple. I’ll break it down in everyday terms and walk you through a few of the most popular large language models that creatives are actually using right now.
First things first: What even is a LLM?
LLM stands for “Large Language Model.” It’s a type of artificial intelligence that’s trained to understand and generate human-like language.
Think of it like a superpowered autocomplete. These models read huge amounts of text, like books, websites, and even technical documentation, and learn how people typically use language. So when you ask it a question or give it a task, it predicts the most likely words and phrases that should come next.
That’s how it can write emails, brainstorm captions, or even help with your design process. Magic? Not quite. But pretty amazing.
So which LLMs are actually worth your time?
There are a lot of options out there, and honestly, it depends on what kind of work you’re doing. Here’s how I usually explain the most common ones I see creatives using, along with how I like to use them myself.
1. ChatGPT (OpenAI)
This is the one I come back to the most. It’s great for brainstorming, writing content, summarizing notes, or even helping you say something in a more natural voice. I use it all the time to rewrite captions, prep client emails, or just think through ideas out loud.
2. Microsoft Copilot
If you’re already using Word, Excel, or Outlook, this one’s a solid helper. It’s like having a little assistant right in your documents. I reach for it when I’m organizing thoughts, drafting client proposals, or cleaning up a messy email thread.
3. Google Gemini
Gemini is helpful when you’re combining text and images, or when you’re doing a lot of research. If I’m pulling together inspiration, writing a blog post, or looking for fresh references, this is usually my go-to.
4. Claude (Anthropic)
Claude is thoughtful and structured, which makes it perfect for longer writing or more complex topics. I like using it when I need clarity, like writing policies, working on course content, or diving into big-picture planning.
5. Grok (xAI)
If you’re watching trends or want quick insights from social media, Grok is fun to play with. It pulls from X (formerly Twitter) and gives a pretty good sense of what people are talking about in real time.
6. Meta AI
Since it’s already built into Facebook and Instagram, Meta AI is great for quick content ideas or boosting engagement when you’re creating inside those platforms. It’s not the tool I’d use for deep strategy, but it’s handy for small tasks while you’re posting or replying to messages.
Wondering how these fit into your design workflow?
Start with one that matches how you already work. If you’re constantly writing emails or creating mood board captions, try ChatGPT or Copilot. If you’re researching or planning a blog post, Gemini or Claude might be your new favorite tool.
And remember, you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.
You can grab my full AI tool list here, or just shoot me a message if you’re not sure where to start. I’m always happy to help you make sense of it and find a rhythm that feels right for you.
Here’s to working smarter, staying creative, and building a business you love.
With you every step,
Jenna Gaidusek
Founder, AI for Interior Designers™
This article was written by Jenna Gaidusek, founder of AI for Interior Designers™, and enhanced using ChatGPT.
