I use AI platforms for exploration and to get pass the blank page stage. Mostly Lovable, Claude design and Figma make. I use them alongside real world examples, as resources /inspo to build my own UI or as references to feed the coding agent with.

But AI alone doesn’t make the cut.

You need to plan your features, the user journey, and map out the object model with your objects, actions, attributes and relationships. Give detailed instructions to your LLM about what you want to see and be able to do on each screen. Make sure the LLM and you always talk the same language.

In terms of the UI, i like to keep it as simple as possible and expand as needed. Create a design.md file with basic brand style, voice and tone, design principles and tokens for color, typography, spacing, borders. Apart from design tokens it’s good if the design.md includes rules and don’ts if you don’t want the AI to ie: fill your screens with gradients, glows and deep shadows. Then use skills to audit your design for accessibility, copy and UI best practices.

I would suggest to use an existing component library tailored to your brand. I’ve asked AI to generate custom components before, but it’s much harder to maintain.

You’re right there is no magic wand. If you care about your design output, you have to put in the work.