I was recently in a discussion with faculty and students about whether AI‑generated app designs belong in portfolios for job seekers. Short answer: yes, with clarity and craft. This piece addresses app and product UI work, not image‑generation.

These students come from graphic design and visual communication experience. For that background, today’s tools like Figma Make, Lovable, v0, and others extend and challenge what a single designer can do. They:

• Enable new possibilities: “I can build an app by myself.”

• Accelerate existing work: “Turn these screens into a prototype with sample data.”

• Challenge authorship: “Did I really make this if I didn’t push pixels or write code?” Sometimes. It depends on your decisions and how you refined the output.

• Surface craft: rough edges are easier to spot.

A faculty colleague put it well: “AI‑generated apps alone are not sufficient portfolio material for UX/UI roles.” I agree. A few reminders:

• Employers and clients differ. Treat broad advice as one input, not a rule.

• If you want to know what a specific employer expects, ask. If you can’t get in touch with a hiring manager, try a current or former team member.

• Confident teams know what they’re hiring for and how they evaluate.

• Many other teams follow perceived norms. They can still have good job opportunities, but the hiring process may not match the work.

How AI‑generated artifacts can work in a portfolio

• Loose and unaligned: A vibe‑coded prototype that’s janky and doesn’t reflect your taste or standards. Weak: better to omit.

• Exploration at speed: “I was curious about Problem X, so I built 30 quick prototypes to feel out the space. Here’s what I learned and how it changed my direction.” Strong: shows learning and outcome.

• Tool curiosity: “I tested multiple AI‑assisted tools. Here’s where each excels, and how that led me to a preferred workflow.” Strong: shows judgment.

• Craft first, assist second: You have refined designs, then use AI to produce a functional prototype that preserves nuance. Strong: shows you can maintain quality end‑to‑end.

• Full handcraft: You design and build everything. Strong: demonstrates immediate on‑team impact.

• Flexible stance: “Sometimes I handcraft; sometimes I vibe‑code. Here’s why, when, and the results.” Strongest: shows adaptability and a point of view.

Remember this

AI can be a powerful accelerator. A strong portfolio still needs unmistakable evidence of your own thinking and craft. Use any tools to explore, learn, and prototype. Make sure the final work reflects your decisions, taste, and skills. That’s what helps teams see how you’ll contribute.