When evaluating 'AI fluency,' discerning hiring managers are less interested in a perfect, AI-generated artifact and more interested in the candidate's workflow. They want to see how a designer thinks, which tools they use, and why. The ability to articulate an experimental and evolving process is the key signal they are looking for.

As AI design tools proliferate, their outputs are developing a recognizable, generic style. A website that is clearly a "one-shot prompt" now signals something about the company's standards, similar to how easily identifiable AI-written text does. This suggests a rising premium for human-led, original design.

The primary issue with AI-generated content isn't poor quality, but its generic nature. It regurgitates common patterns and lacks a distinct point of view, making it "commodity content" that could have been written by anyone. To stand out, content must reflect an individual's unique perspective.

Services like Taste Labs, much like Squarespace, aim to democratize good design. However, this commoditization often leads to a recognizable, copied aesthetic. As AI models are trained on what is deemed "tasteful," they may converge on a single style, undermining the originality that is a key component of true taste.

With AI commoditizing the speed of output, the most valuable and defensible skill is a designer's innate taste and craft. Cash App's Head of Design prioritizes this "eye for good" over prestigious experience, noting it's the hardest quality to teach.

Lo Toney suggests that a pitch deck with AI-generated graphics and prose is a red flag for investors. He sees deck creation as a core expression of a founder's passion and vision. Outsourcing this creative process to AI indicates a lack of personal investment and engagement with their own business.

When job applications are flooded with AI-generated resumes, they become meaningless. The way to stand out is to bypass the traditional application process by building a public portfolio of your work and expertise through content creation.

When hiring for creative roles like AI Product Manager, the resume itself is evaluated as a product. A generic, plain-text resume signals a lack of creativity and product taste. The design, clarity, and cohesive narrative it tells are direct demonstrations of the candidate's core skills.

Hiring managers increasingly see a candidate's lack of demonstrated interest in new AI tools and processes as the number one red flag. While expertise isn't required, a visible curiosity and willingness to experiment is a powerful signal of a designer's relevance and commitment to growth in the current market.