Blink And You’ll Miss It: How To Keep Up With Design Tech Without Losing Your Mind
- hannahoheine
- Sep 19
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 6
Mastering Design Tech The Easy Way
AR. AI. Motion design. The alphabet soup of emerging tech is coming for your creative process. Here’s how to stay ahead, not overwhelmed.
Welcome to the golden age of "wait, that’s possible now?!" in design. One minute you're mocking up brand boards, the next you’re being asked if your logo can dance across a screen, show up in AR, and maybe write its own captions, too. Sound familiar?
Whether you’re a freelancer juggling fifteen tabs or a studio owner pretending your Monday coffee is enough to fight off tech FOMO, we’re here to help. You don’t have to be a tech wizard to harness the latest design tools, you just need a strategy.
Why Designers Shouldn’t Sleep On Emerging Tech
Spoiler alert: It’s not just hype. These tools are changing the game:
AI-generated design speeds up workflows, enhances ideation, and helps you present options faster than you can say "concept round three."
Motion graphics are dominating social media, adding movement to static brands and giving your visuals a glow-up.
Augmented reality (AR) is turning packaging, murals, and installations into interactive experiences that quite literally jump off the page.
The kicker? You don’t need to become a developer to tap into any of this. You just need to know where and how to plug in.
Start With Strategy, Not Shiny Objects
Tech is fun, yes. But without strategy, it’s just digital glitter.
At Hart House, we believe in intention before implementation. That means asking:
Does this tool support the brand’s story?
Will it enhance the audience experience?
Is it sustainable for the client or team to maintain?
Don’t just use AR because your competitor did. Use it because it creates a richer brand moment, like an animated label that reveals the origin story of your ingredients or an art mural that becomes a digital gallery.
Tools We’re Crushing On (That You Can Use Today):
Runway ML for AI-powered video and image generation (hello, content expansion without extra shoots)
Spline for no-code 3D web design and product visualization
After Effects templates to add scroll-stopping motion to social and web without building from scratch
Adobe Aero for beginner-friendly AR design
Even using AI tools like ChatGPT to help storyboard or brainstorm faster is a win. The key is to treat these tools like teammates—not replacements. You’re still the creative genius. They’re just here to keep your caffeine budget in check.
How To Stay In The Know Without Going Insane
Pick one rabbit hole at a time. Learn one new tool or trend per quarter, max.
Follow smart people. Not influencers—actual practitioners. (Need a list? We got you. Scroll to the end of the article.)
Use your projects as playgrounds. Got a low-lift client piece? Try motion graphics. Rebranding your portfolio? Add AR overlays.
Bookmark your brain. Keep a Notion or Google doc with tools, links, and inspo. Future you will thank you.
Don’t Forget The Human Touch
We love a tech stack as much as the next studio, but your taste, your voice, your gut instincts? Still the secret sauce.
Tech doesn’t replace creativity—it amplifies it. Use these tools to make your ideas more vivid, more immersive, more YOU.
Put Money In Your Pocket & Good In The World
If you’re offering motion or AR design, productize it. Don’t just include it in your proposals—make it a line item. A branded AR filter, a looping social teaser, or a motion logo suite are all services people are willing to pay extra for.
Your move? Charge what you're worth and show your clients the ROI.
Follow These Smart People (Not Just Influencers)
Jesse Damiani @JesseDamiani – Writer and curator focused on AR, VR, and immersive media—super plugged into the future of creative tech.
Sarah Tan @sarahtannn – UX/UI designer with a strong focus on AR/VR; named a Global Top 100 Woman in Tech
Refik Anadol @refikanadol – AI-driven data artist working at the intersection of art, architecture, and tech.
Emonee LaRussa @em0n33y – 2× Emmy-winning motion graphics artist; blends storytelling with big-screen motion.
Joshua Davis @praystation – Generative art pioneer known for algorithmic design and motion graphics.
Georgie Yana @georgieyanadesign – Motion graphics creative behind bold, vibrant narratives and interactive visuals.
DesignStripe @designstripeapp – Creative tool that shares digestible AI-in-design tips and use cases.
Everything we share here is meant to be helpful and inspiring. We’re speaking from experience. Please consult a qualified professional to help make decisions. You are responsible for how you choose to use this information, and we are not liable for any loss, damages, or issues that may arise. We can’t be responsible for how things play out, but we’re always rooting for your success!
Credits
Author: Hannah Heine
Editor: Jenn Hart (More About Me)
Associate Editor: Sarah Dawoud
Art: Sharon Bakas
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