AI Mistakes Most Often Made by Designers of My Generation

As the founder of formspace.design and someone who started coding with AI at 61, I often observe how my generation of designers, possessing vast experience, stumbles upon the same mistakes when working with artificial intelligence. The essence of these errors lies not in a lack of talent or knowledge, but in an incorrect approach to a new tool that requires not only intuition but also systematic thinking.

Over-reliance and Loss of Critical Thinking

The first and perhaps most common mistake is blind trust in what AI produces. We are accustomed to relying on our eye, on years of practice, and then suddenly a machine offers an 'ideal' solution. AI is a powerful tool, but it doesn't possess your experience; it doesn't know all the nuances of a specific 6-are plot, its history, or client preferences that weren't specified in the prompt. I've seen AI suggest classic rose gardens on steeply sloped plots, where a complex system of terraces and drainage would later have to be built, increasing the budget two or three times over. Always check AI's suggestions through the lens of your experience and common sense.

Insufficient Detail in Requests (Prompts)

We often think in images and feelings, but AI needs specifics. The phrase 'beautiful garden' means nothing to a machine. It needs details: 'a Mediterranean-style garden for a 15-are plot with a light stone house, zoning for a family with children, a 4x8 m swimming pool, minimal conifers, preference for grasses and lavender, medium budget.' The more precise and detailed your request, the more relevant the response will be. It's like giving a technical specification to a construction crew: if you say 'build me a bathhouse,' you'll get anything but what you wanted. I wrote about how to improve your prompt formulation skills in the article How to quickly learn to formulate prompts: a method for beginners 50+.

Ignoring Site Context and Constraints

AI doesn't always understand local climatic conditions, soil type, insolation, wind rose, or existing utilities unless you tell it. It might suggest plants that won't survive in your region or a pond placement that would disrupt site drainage. In my practice, there was a case where AI proposed a magnificent composition with large trees along a fence, but underground utilities ran through the plot, and roots could damage them. It's important to remember that AI cannot replace a site visit and a thorough analysis of all factors.

Attempting to Replace the Entire Design Process with a Single AI Tool

AI is an assistant at certain stages, not a universal solution for the entire project from start to finish. It excels at generating ideas, visualizations, and selecting styles. However, it cannot independently create a complete package of working documentation, calculate an accurate estimate, account for material delivery logistics, or control work quality. The landscape design process is complex and multifaceted, and AI is just one tool in this chain. It can reduce time by 2-3 weeks at the concept stage but won't eliminate 1-2 months for developing the working project.

Refusal to Learn and Adapt

Some of my colleagues believe that since they are already established professionals, new technologies are unnecessary for them. This is the biggest misconception. The world is changing, and if you don't adapt, you can be left behind. At 61, I started learning programming with AI to create formspace.design because I understood that without new tools, I wouldn't be able to effectively solve old problems. AI is not a threat but an opportunity for development and expanding one's competencies. Acceptance and learning are key to successfully integrating AI into the workflow.

Underestimating the Importance of Structured Data

We are used to storing information in our heads, notebooks, and scattered files. But for effective work with AI, systematization is needed. If you cannot quickly provide AI with data on previous projects, client preferences, or plant lists, the result will be less accurate. I encountered this when I realized how client history gets lost between the estimate, sketch, and acceptance certificate. Creating a unified database where all information about the site, client, materials, and work stages is stored in a structured manner becomes critically important for obtaining high-quality AI results.

How to Plan in formspace.design

formspace.design was created precisely to help landscape designers of my generation effectively utilize AI's potential while avoiding the aforementioned mistakes. The platform's modules allow you to structure input data and guide AI, so it becomes not a replacement, but a smart assistant.

For example, when planning a new site, you can start with module 1.1 'Site Plan,' where precise boundaries, topography, existing buildings, and utilities are defined. Then, in module 1.2 'Zoning,' you designate functional areas (recreation area, children's playground, vegetable garden), and in 1.3 'Objects,' you add key elements (3x4 m gazebo, 4x8 m swimming pool). All this information forms a detailed context for the AI. After that, moving to module 2.1 'AI Concept,' you can formulate your request, relying on this structured data, for example: 'Create a minimalist garden concept for a childless couple, with an emphasis on water features and small architectural forms, taking into account zoning and existing objects.' AI will generate ideas based on the real parameters of your site, rather than abstract notions. You can quickly test several options without spending weeks on manual drawing, and then refine them in module 3.1 'Design by Photo' to see how it will look on actual site photographs. This significantly reduces iteration time and avoids errors related to unrealistic or impractical AI suggestions.

FAQ

Can AI be fully trusted to create a landscape project?

No, AI should not be fully trusted to create a project. AI is a powerful tool for generating ideas, visualization, and data analysis, but it lacks the intuition, experience, and ability for comprehensive understanding that humans possess. The designer must act as an operator and critic, guiding the AI and verifying its results against real-world conditions and client needs.

What advantages does AI offer experienced designers?

For experienced designers, AI becomes a powerful accelerator for routine tasks: it quickly generates numerous options, freeing up time for creative refinement and in-depth analysis. AI helps broaden horizons by suggesting unconventional solutions and significantly reduces visualization time, allowing ideas to be communicated to clients faster. This enables a focus on uniqueness and functionality rather than repetitive actions.

How to overcome the fear of new technologies?

The fear of new technologies can be overcome through gradual learning and practice. Start small: try using AI for one specific task, such as generating ideas for a flowerbed or selecting a color palette. Understand that AI is a tool, not a competitor. The more you experiment and see real benefits, the faster fear dissipates and confidence grows.

How accurate are AI visualizations compared to manual sketches?

Modern AI visualizations can be very accurate and photorealistic, significantly surpassing manual sketches in detail and creation speed. However, their accuracy directly depends on the quality of the source data (site photographs, 3D models) and the detail of the request. A manual sketch, in turn, retains the unique artistic style of the author, which AI cannot yet fully replace.

Does the use of AI affect a designer's authorial style?

The use of AI should not erase a designer's authorial style; on the contrary, it can help strengthen and develop it. AI is like a paintbrush for an artist: it doesn't dictate the style but allows for faster realization of ideas. You can use AI to experiment with new forms or materials, which you then integrate into your unique signature, preserving your individuality.

Which AI tools are best suited for landscape design?

For landscape design, AI tools that allow working with space, plants, and materials in 3D, as well as generating realistic visualizations, are best suited. formspace.design, for example, combines a structured planning approach with AI-driven concept generation and design-by-photo capabilities, making it highly effective for our field. It's important to choose tools that integrate into your workflow and solve specific tasks.

How does AI help with project budgeting?

AI can assist with budgeting by suggesting alternative materials or plants that fit within specified price ranges, or by quickly calculating the cost of various project components. In formspace.design, by structuring data on materials and labor, you can obtain more accurate preliminary estimates. This allows for assessing project realism at early stages and avoiding unpleasant surprises for the client, which is crucial, as up to 30% of the budget goes to materials and 70% to labor.

Conclusion

AI is not just a new technology; it's a fundamental shift in the approach to creativity and business. For my generation of designers, it's both a challenge and a huge opportunity. The mistakes we make often stem from the habit of working in old ways, but by learning to interact correctly with AI, we can elevate our work to an entirely new level of efficiency and creativity. The main thing is to remain open to new things, use your experience as a filter for AI solutions, and not be afraid to experiment. formspace.design is my answer to this challenge, a tool created to make your experience and AI work in synergy.

Related Materials

• Read more