“CCChanges!” The Rise and Potential Fall of Design Systems: AI's Impact on System Design Thinking
In this thought-provoking session, Kevin Wilkins and Thomas Shillingford examine the evolution of design systems over the past decade and explore a critical question: Will AI and emerging methodologies like sentient design lead to the collapse of traditional design systems as we know them?
Drawing from their combined experience as a design systems leads across multiple enterprises, they offer unique insights into how the relationship between design systems and AI is reshaping our approach to design thinking.
What You'll Gain
- Assessment tools for your design system's AI resilience
- Practical strategies for integrating AI while preserving core design principles
- Preparation tactics for human-AI collaborative workflows
- A decision framework for balancing traditional design systems with AI capabilities
- Actionable steps to evolve your design approach regardless of organisation size
Kevin Wilkins and Thomas Shillingford
Kevin Wilkins a seasoned creative communicator and strategist who heads Strategic Creative Communication consultancy and previously led the Customer Experience Practice at TquilaAnz. Throughout their digital career, they have served as Creative Director, Writer, Strategist, and Innovator, bringing sharp analytical thinking and a client-focused problem-solving approach. Their work has earned international digital awards and three ARIA awards for creativity and art direction in the Australian music industry.
Passionate about mentoring and innovation, they specialize in Customer Experience, Digital Strategy, Creative Direction, and Digital Marketing while contributing to educational institutions and industry organizations to advance digital creativity.
Thomas Shillingford is an experience designer and strategist with extensive expertise in UX, CX, and service design, grounded in human-centred design and business insight. He operates both strategically and hands-on, setting direction for stakeholders while also prototyping flows and mapping service blueprints. His AI expertise runs deep, having developed AI-powered chatbots, embedded AI into operational workflows, and created custom GPT tools featured as Product of the Week on GPT Seek, complemented by formal training in AI ethics through the University of Colorado Boulder.
Known for lateral thinking and inclusive design advocacy, Thomas has led high-performing teams in London and Sydney and collaborated with major brands including Qantas, Tourism Tasmania, ING Direct, Virgin Active, and the London 2012 Olympics, bringing craft, clarity, and strategic thinking to deliver measurable business outcomes.