Design expert, Onyemowo Jacinta Onu, believes that to stand out in today’s saturated design space, portfolios alone are not enough. “A lot of designers are out here making great screens, but the difference between being visible and remarkable lies in how you think,” she shared during a conversation with The Guardian.

Onyemowo, who mentors young talents through programs like Design Yard People and TechSynergy, says that while creativity is important, it’s grit, curiosity, and consistent effort that elevate designers from the crowd.

She argues that AI isn’t the enemy, it’s a power tool. But it’s also revealing a harsh truth: some designers are not lazy, they’re just, comfortable. “You can now generate clean UI layouts, write UX copy, and even get layout suggestions in seconds. Yet with all these tools, sameness is everywhere. People are shipping fast, but not necessarily better.”

For designers who are willing to go beyond surface-level use, AI offers leverage. Onyemowo recalled a recent experience working on a new feature for TechSynergy, where she used AI for assistance. “Claude.ai helped me generate layout suggestions based on best practices. But even with that head start, I still had to spend hours refining, testing, and improving those layouts based on performance feedback.”

She shared her belief that AI won’t replace designers, but it will expose those who haven’t built the habit of thinking, problem-solving, and iterating. “It’s not enough to just be a screen decorator. You need to understand why something works and how to make it perform better.”

Her mantra: Data, design, and real impact. Designers who thrive, she says, are those who combine creativity with performance thinking. “Can your design move the needle? Can it drive behavior or conversions? That’s what clients are asking.”

In mentoring younger designers, she encourages them to explore analytics tools like Hotjar and Mixpanel, not to become data analysts, but to stay connected to real user outcomes. “Some creatives say, ‘I’m not a numbers person.’ That’s fine. But are you curious enough to ask what happens after users see your work?”

Onyemowo also emphasised the importance of the human element. While working on an insurtech app, she shared how AI initially suggested smart dashboards based on user habits. Technically, it was impressive. But users found the experience cold. “It wasn’t until I rewrote the copy, adjusted the flow, and brought in elements of encouragement and emotion that the experience truly clicked. The data pointed the way, but it was the human touch that made users feel seen.”

She believes designers must now operate like product people, thinking about the business, asking better questions, and collaborating across teams. “At the end of the day, AI is not magic. You are.”