Recently I came across a 1927 article in The Atlantic about how the industrial revolution let people churn out functional products fast, including cars, toasters, lamps, and furniture, but with little care for how they felt to use.
After years of mass production, people started craving beauty again. Once function was good enough, aesthetics and care became the next big differentiator. People no longer wanted just what worked; they wanted what felt good to use and to own. Beauty became a huge business advantage.
It feels like we’re entering a similar moment with AI today. Everyone can now create 7/10 experiences quickly: things that are functional, usable, and even clever. But the real opportunity lies beyond that.
Design feels really undervalued right now. The role will certainly evolve, but designing deeply human, high-quality experiences will soon be the true differentiator: the modern equivalent of craftsmanship after the industrial revolution.
Pretty soon, people will long for products that are intentional and beautiful, the kind that feel genuinely considered and human. We’re about to see a new wave of design where craft, emotion, and taste matter more than ever.