Educating the Next Generation of Designers to Think Critically Is Essential Today

By Mathieu Gasse Forget • October 2026

A Transformation Accelerated by AI

Today, AI is an integral part of design practice, fundamentally transforming its processes and methodologies. In this context of accelerated automation, a global understanding of a project has become essential.

It is important to remember: the profession of designer will not disappear—it always has been in constant evolution. Design has consistently relied on a fundamental constant: an individual who solves problems, interprets needs, and makes informed decisions within a given context. Tools change, job titles evolve, but the core of the profession remains intact.

An Unprecedented Challenge for Emerging Designers

However, the current pace of transformation presents an unprecedented challenge, particularly for emerging designers. Many aspiring designers dive into projects without fully understanding how to approach or structure their process, often relying immediately on AI-powered tools without further reflection or a deeper grasp of the context.

This reality raises a legitimate concern: can one truly design effectively without understanding the principles that shape human interactions in digital interfaces?

Understanding Before Creating

Drawing on theoretical frameworks such as Bloom’s taxonomy, mastering a discipline requires a structured progression—from understanding concepts to applying them, then analyzing them critically, and ultimately creating independently and innovatively. As powerful as it may be, AI primarily excels at execution, generation, and information gathering. It proposes, synthesizes, and accelerates—but it does not replace understanding or judgment.

The Importance of Context in Digital Projects

In the development of digital products—whether websites, applications, or complex platforms—understanding context remains crucial. Every project exists within a specific reality, shaped by its users, constraints, and objectives. AI can generate solutions, but it is ultimately the human who must assess their relevance, ensure their coherence, and guarantee their value.

This is precisely where I believe that microprograms such as the Design d’interfaces numériques program at CÉGEP du Vieux-Montréal offer an incredibly effective, condensed framework—helping professionals better navigate content, theoretical principles, and tools through real case studies, exercises, and projects.

The Risk of Tool Dependency

The risk in this new paradigm is the emergence of dependency on tools. When decisions are made solely based on automated suggestions or generated trends—without critical reflection—design loses depth. It becomes reactive rather than strategic.

Developing designers’ critical thinking is therefore a priority. It requires understanding not only how to design, but more importantly, why to design. 


Training Thinkers, Not Just Makers

Educating the next generation of designers today is no longer about simply teaching tools—it is about cultivating a way of thinking. Intellectual rigour. The ability to question, analyze, and make informed decisions with discernment.

It is about developing a critical mindset that enables designers to navigate complexity, interpret frameworks, and apply structured processes effectively—leveraging AI as an enhancer rather than a substitute.

Design education is not losing relevance—it is becoming more critical than ever.