The age of AI: A content designer’s tale
After my Button talk about the evolving role of the content designer, I left feeling equal parts energised, reflective, and a little bit mischievous.
Because in this new age of AI and design, I keep wondering:
How can we tell our story in a way that truly captures what’s happening right now?
So, in true “me” fashion, I decided to get a bit creative.
I’ve always been a fan of The Lord of the Rings, and there’s something about that opening monologue that’s always stuck with me — the sense of change, of power shifting, of new forces rising. It felt oddly familiar to what’s happening in our industry today.
So, I took a swing at reimagining it through the lens of AI, design, and the rise of content designers.
It’s a little playful, a little poetic, but mostly it’s a reminder that our role is far from fading.
We’re just stepping into a new age. So here it goes…
Enjoy.
The world is changed.
I feel it in the data.
I feel it in the systems.
I sense it in the algorithms.
Much that once was is lost, for none now live who remember it.
It began with the forging of the Great Roles.
Three were given to the Product Designers — immortal, wisest, and fairest of all creators.
Seven to the Engineers — great builders and architects of the digital halls.
And nine…
nine roles were gifted to the race of Marketers, who above all else, desire reach and engagement.
For within these roles was bound the skill and the will to shape the modern web.
But they were all of them deceived, for another role was made.
In the deep servers of Silicon Valley, in the fires of innovation and ambition, the Tech Lords forged in secret a master intelligence. And into this AI, they poured their data, their logic, and their will to dominate every feed.
One algorithm to rule them all.
One by one, the free teams of Design fell to its power. UX, UI, and Strategy — all bent beneath its glowing prompt. But some resisted.
A last alliance of Designers and Writers stood together against the rise of automation. And on the very screens of Mount Doomscroll, they fought for the soul of creativity itself.
Victory was near… but the influence of AI could not be undone.
It whispered of speed, of scale, of endless content.
And the hearts of teams were easily tempted.
For a time, all seemed lost.
Until something happened that AI did not intend.
It was picked up by the most unlikely of roles; humble, curious, and often overlooked.
Content Designers.
From the quiet corners of the product flow, they saw what others could not.
That AI is not the enemy. It is content. And content is what they shape best.
They bring clarity to the chaos.
Meaning to the machine.
Humanity to the algorithm.
And the time will soon come…
When Content Designers will shape the fortunes of all.
I hope you enjoyed this article. If it was helpful, feel free to leave a clap or two, or consider dropping a comment. You can connect with me on LinkedIn and Medium. Also, feel free to check out my portfolio, too.
The Lord of Design was originally published in UX Planet on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
