AI Beyond Automation
AI Beyond Automation is a strategic intervention aimed at transforming how design teams adopt and scale AI within their daily operations. While most teams use AI for surface-level tasks, this project reframes AI as a systems-level enabler that reduces design waste, increases operational intelligence, and unlocks higher-value creative work. The solution includes a dual-artifact ecosystem designed to integrate AI meaningfully into the heart of DesignOps helping teams move from fragmented experimentation to intentional, measurable implementation.
Client
High Impact Project - Design Management [DMGT 755] | Fall'25
Timeline
AUG 2025 - NOV 2025
Skills & Methods
Design Thinking
STEEP Trend Analysis
Brand Development
Archetypes & Ecosystem Mapping
MVP Prototyping
Business Model Canvass
Blue Ocean Strategy
Design Ops
User Testing
Empathy Mapping
Design Research - Mixed Methods
GTM Strategy Building
Value Pillars & Value Propositions
Value Proposition Canvas
AI Automation Toolkit
Team
Prathamesh Patil
PROBLEM
Design teams are rapidly adopting AI, but often in shallow, disconnected ways, using tools for mockups, content generation, or visuals without embedding AI into the operational backbone of how design happens. This results in:
Redundant manual workflows
Scattered experimentation
Low ROI on AI investments
Lack of trust or shared understanding across team roles
There’s a critical need to guide teams from tactical to strategic AI usage, especially within DesignOps.
SOLUTION
The project delivers a 2-part ecosystem that helps design teams align, adopt, and scale AI meaningfully across their operations:
AI X DesignOps Card Game
A strategic planning toolkit for mapping automation vs. human-in-the-loop decisions
Covers 10 categories of DesignOps (e.g., Team Ops, Research Ops, Design Systems, Knowledge Mgmt, etc.)
Includes AI role archetypes (AI Enthusiast, Ethics-Focused, Business-Impact, Balanced)
Helps teams define risk/reward boundaries and plan AI usage collaboratively
DesignOps Workflow Automation Platform
A digital tool that ingests card game outcomes to create custom AI-powered workflows
Functions like an n8n-style logic builder tailored to design workflows
Tracks tasks, touchpoints, and team roles across automated and manual segments
Integrates performance metrics, adherence prompts, and impact documentation
Enables real-time tracking of design process efficiency, adherence, and business impact
VALUE DELIVERED
Provides a structured AI onboarding layer for design teams of any maturity level
Bridges the gap between strategy, tooling, and collaboration in AI adoption
Offers a scalable, repeatable framework for enterprises looking to invest in AI-powered design systems
Project nominated for multiple pitch and showcase opportunities at SCAD
APPROACH
The project followed an intentional, systems-driven process:
Discovery: Mapped gaps in current AI design adoption through research and 1:1 conversations with design professionals
Synthesis: Identified a strategic opportunity at the DesignOps layer where AI could be deeply embedded
Framework Creation: Developed a role-based, category-driven planning structure via the card game
Tool Architecture: Designed and prototyped a digital workflow builder to operationalize card game insights
Business Case: Created an ROI structure to validate the cost-saving and time-saving potential of the system
MVP Design: Built early prototypes using modular design system principles and AI interaction logic
SUMMARY
AI Beyond Automation is not a productivity tool, it’s a mindset shift. It gives design leaders and teams a concrete pathway to scale AI across operations with intention, ethics, and strategic value. Whether it’s mapping team roles, automating redundant tasks, or unlocking new forms of insight, this project proves that when AI meets DesignOps, the entire system evolves.
AI Beyond Automation
AI Beyond Automation is a strategic intervention aimed at transforming how design teams adopt and scale AI within their daily operations. While most teams use AI for surface-level tasks, this project reframes AI as a systems-level enabler that reduces design waste, increases operational intelligence, and unlocks higher-value creative work. The solution includes a dual-artifact ecosystem designed to integrate AI meaningfully into the heart of DesignOps helping teams move from fragmented experimentation to intentional, measurable implementation.
Client
High Impact Project - Design Management [DMGT 755] | Fall'25
Timeline
AUG 2025 - NOV 2025
Skills & Methods
Design Thinking
STEEP Trend Analysis
Brand Development
Archetypes & Ecosystem Mapping
MVP Prototyping
Business Model Canvass
Blue Ocean Strategy
Design Ops
User Testing
Empathy Mapping
Design Research - Mixed Methods
GTM Strategy Building
Value Pillars & Value Propositions
Value Proposition Canvas
AI Automation Toolkit
Team
Prathamesh Patil
PROBLEM
Design teams are rapidly adopting AI, but often in shallow, disconnected ways, using tools for mockups, content generation, or visuals without embedding AI into the operational backbone of how design happens. This results in:
Redundant manual workflows
Scattered experimentation
Low ROI on AI investments
Lack of trust or shared understanding across team roles
There’s a critical need to guide teams from tactical to strategic AI usage, especially within DesignOps.
SOLUTION
The project delivers a 2-part ecosystem that helps design teams align, adopt, and scale AI meaningfully across their operations:
AI X DesignOps Card Game
A strategic planning toolkit for mapping automation vs. human-in-the-loop decisions
Covers 10 categories of DesignOps (e.g., Team Ops, Research Ops, Design Systems, Knowledge Mgmt, etc.)
Includes AI role archetypes (AI Enthusiast, Ethics-Focused, Business-Impact, Balanced)
Helps teams define risk/reward boundaries and plan AI usage collaboratively
DesignOps Workflow Automation Platform
A digital tool that ingests card game outcomes to create custom AI-powered workflows
Functions like an n8n-style logic builder tailored to design workflows
Tracks tasks, touchpoints, and team roles across automated and manual segments
Integrates performance metrics, adherence prompts, and impact documentation
Enables real-time tracking of design process efficiency, adherence, and business impact
VALUE DELIVERED
Provides a structured AI onboarding layer for design teams of any maturity level
Bridges the gap between strategy, tooling, and collaboration in AI adoption
Offers a scalable, repeatable framework for enterprises looking to invest in AI-powered design systems
Project nominated for multiple pitch and showcase opportunities at SCAD
APPROACH
The project followed an intentional, systems-driven process:
Discovery: Mapped gaps in current AI design adoption through research and 1:1 conversations with design professionals
Synthesis: Identified a strategic opportunity at the DesignOps layer where AI could be deeply embedded
Framework Creation: Developed a role-based, category-driven planning structure via the card game
Tool Architecture: Designed and prototyped a digital workflow builder to operationalize card game insights
Business Case: Created an ROI structure to validate the cost-saving and time-saving potential of the system
MVP Design: Built early prototypes using modular design system principles and AI interaction logic
SUMMARY
AI Beyond Automation is not a productivity tool, it’s a mindset shift. It gives design leaders and teams a concrete pathway to scale AI across operations with intention, ethics, and strategic value. Whether it’s mapping team roles, automating redundant tasks, or unlocking new forms of insight, this project proves that when AI meets DesignOps, the entire system evolves.
AI Beyond Automation
AI Beyond Automation is a strategic intervention aimed at transforming how design teams adopt and scale AI within their daily operations. While most teams use AI for surface-level tasks, this project reframes AI as a systems-level enabler that reduces design waste, increases operational intelligence, and unlocks higher-value creative work. The solution includes a dual-artifact ecosystem designed to integrate AI meaningfully into the heart of DesignOps helping teams move from fragmented experimentation to intentional, measurable implementation.
Client
High Impact Project - Design Management [DMGT 755] | Fall'25
Timeline
AUG 2025 - NOV 2025
Skills & Methods
Design Thinking
STEEP Trend Analysis
Brand Development
Archetypes & Ecosystem Mapping
MVP Prototyping
Business Model Canvass
Blue Ocean Strategy
Design Ops
User Testing
Empathy Mapping
Design Research - Mixed Methods
GTM Strategy Building
Value Pillars & Value Propositions
Value Proposition Canvas
AI Automation Toolkit
Team
Prathamesh Patil
PROBLEM
Design teams are rapidly adopting AI, but often in shallow, disconnected ways, using tools for mockups, content generation, or visuals without embedding AI into the operational backbone of how design happens. This results in:
Redundant manual workflows
Scattered experimentation
Low ROI on AI investments
Lack of trust or shared understanding across team roles
There’s a critical need to guide teams from tactical to strategic AI usage, especially within DesignOps.
SOLUTION
The project delivers a 2-part ecosystem that helps design teams align, adopt, and scale AI meaningfully across their operations:
AI X DesignOps Card Game
A strategic planning toolkit for mapping automation vs. human-in-the-loop decisions
Covers 10 categories of DesignOps (e.g., Team Ops, Research Ops, Design Systems, Knowledge Mgmt, etc.)
Includes AI role archetypes (AI Enthusiast, Ethics-Focused, Business-Impact, Balanced)
Helps teams define risk/reward boundaries and plan AI usage collaboratively
DesignOps Workflow Automation Platform
A digital tool that ingests card game outcomes to create custom AI-powered workflows
Functions like an n8n-style logic builder tailored to design workflows
Tracks tasks, touchpoints, and team roles across automated and manual segments
Integrates performance metrics, adherence prompts, and impact documentation
Enables real-time tracking of design process efficiency, adherence, and business impact
VALUE DELIVERED
Provides a structured AI onboarding layer for design teams of any maturity level
Bridges the gap between strategy, tooling, and collaboration in AI adoption
Offers a scalable, repeatable framework for enterprises looking to invest in AI-powered design systems
Project nominated for multiple pitch and showcase opportunities at SCAD
APPROACH
The project followed an intentional, systems-driven process:
Discovery: Mapped gaps in current AI design adoption through research and 1:1 conversations with design professionals
Synthesis: Identified a strategic opportunity at the DesignOps layer where AI could be deeply embedded
Framework Creation: Developed a role-based, category-driven planning structure via the card game
Tool Architecture: Designed and prototyped a digital workflow builder to operationalize card game insights
Business Case: Created an ROI structure to validate the cost-saving and time-saving potential of the system
MVP Design: Built early prototypes using modular design system principles and AI interaction logic
SUMMARY
AI Beyond Automation is not a productivity tool, it’s a mindset shift. It gives design leaders and teams a concrete pathway to scale AI across operations with intention, ethics, and strategic value. Whether it’s mapping team roles, automating redundant tasks, or unlocking new forms of insight, this project proves that when AI meets DesignOps, the entire system evolves.