The New Skeuomorphism: How AI Makes Bad Design Look Good Enough | Built In

▤ Summary

The article argues that AI is creating a new era of design sameness in software, similar to how skeuomorphism once dominated early digital interfaces. It focuses on SaaS products whose onboarding flows, empty states, and UI patterns are becoming technically correct but indistinguishable. The piece says teams often ship AI-generated designs because they are fast, cheap, and good enough to pass review. It warns that this trend can erode trust, reduce product differentiation, and increase churn even when no one sees an obvious defect. The strongest long-term products, it argues, will still come from teams with a clear point of view about their specific users and product.

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