AI can build an app in minutes. It can’t tell you who it’s for.

About this event

When you prompt, the AI quietly makes every decision a UX designer would normally think through: who the user is, what they’re trying to do, what goes on each screen and what happens when things go wrong. Without direction, it falls back on the average. That’s why so many AI-built apps look and work the same, and why so many get abandoned after the first try. In this live session, Marié Whittington, founder of the UX/UI agency Pepperplane, shows how to put your UX designer cap on while you build. Starting from a one-line prompt, we’ll build a real app live in Claude and improve it step by step using five principles designers rely on. You’ll see each change happen, and why it matters. What you’ll learn How to steer AI away from generic output by prompting for a specific user, their problem and the flow they follow How to design for the empty states, errors and scenarios that AI skips How to keep your app simple, with design rules you set once in Claude so every screen follows them Why a 5-minute test with one real user beats an hour of prompting Who it’s for Founders, operators and builders who create with AI and want their apps to be used, not just demoed. No design background needed. You’ll leave knowing the questions to ask before you prompt, so what you build feels made for your users, not for everyone. About Marié Whittington CEO at Pepperplane | 16 Years in Design | Passionate about UX/UI, Tech, and Human-Centered Design With over 16 years in the design industry, I’ve built a career fueled by a passion for creating intuitive, impactful digital experiences. Originally from South Africa and now based in North Carolina, USA, I’m constantly exploring how design, tech, and human interactions intersect to shape the world around us. I do this through Pepperplane, the company I founded 9 years ago, where we craft user-centered solutions that drive meaningful impact. I’m energized by the ever-evolving design landscape and always open to connecting with others who share this curiosity.