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Humaaans, will it replace freelance designers?

over 3 years ago from , UX Designer

You've all probably heard about the free design library Humaaans. It's a great initiative in my opinion and the work done by its creator is wonderful. He's giving it all away for free too. But, I came across an article (https://www.noupe.com/design/humaaans.html) that compares it to no-code development and I thought that similar initiatives might reduce the requirement to hire designers. What do you think? Will this trend replace designers or will it end up like Canva?

15 comments

  • Mo BaghdadiMo Baghdadi, over 3 years ago

    Nope, nothing compares to tailored work to make a business or a product stand out. Plus trends are always changing. Those types of libraries have an expiry date and so does every design system.

    12 points
  • John PJohn P, over 3 years ago

    If your illustration style is that easy to replicate at the same standard then don't be surprised if people will just use the free solution.

    5 points
    • Orlene Picard, over 3 years ago

      Of course. I was using Humaaans as an example as it's somewhat something new, so there will surely be more projects following this with bigger budgets. So, just as no-code platforms are slowly replacing traditional developments, especially in web development, should we expect something similar. Isn't it better to adapt than to stay rigid on our ways and over-trust our skills?

      1 point
      • Kyle ConradKyle Conrad, over 3 years ago

        So, just as no-code platforms are slowly replacing traditional developments, especially in web development

        I just don't think this is true on any scale - certainly for folks looking to push portfolios or whatever, it works, but (for example) a neighborhood website that needs to integrate a CRM or a restaurant chain looking to create a smart userflow with reservations and online ordering simply aren't going to go with a "no code" platform.

        2 points
        • Alison Bustos, over 3 years ago

          I'm on the same boat and adding the fact that good design requires creativity and perspective I think it's even harder for such tools to replace designers.

          1 point
  • Chinmay Kulkarni, over 3 years ago

    Depends who you're talking about? I think for projects with low budgets or ones that put less emphasis on design, possibly. But for anything larger, I highly doubt it. Illustrations are part of your brand image. You want them to be consistent with your brand and strengthen it - which you can do by having illustrations that are unique to your brand and fit the context they are placed in (i.e. by hiring a freelancer).

    Don't get me wrong though, I think it's a great tool and it lowers the barrier of entry for non-designers and for projects with smaller budgets. Kinda like Unsplash. Good to get started with but as your projects get bigger, these tools start to limit your creative control and you'll need to hire a freelancer.

    2 points
  • Thomas RogowThomas Rogow, over 3 years ago

    No.

    1 point
  • Marc EdwardsMarc Edwards, over 3 years ago

    It’s no different to open source code and open source libraries.

    Everything will be just fine. In fact, projects like this help designers, rather than hurting them.

    1 point
    • John PJohn P, over 3 years ago

      In fact, projects like this help designers, rather than hurting them.

      I agree but you wouldn't think so from the vitriol of the illustration community when this was launched.

      1 point
  • Kyle DonmoyerKyle Donmoyer, over 3 years ago

    This is an extremely bleak vision of the world.

    1 point
  • Dan BDan B, over 3 years ago

    The trend of commoditization is unavailable.

    Every industry or market goes through very similar phases. That often start with "Artisan Work" and scales to "Mass Production".

    It happened for the Model T back then. It happened for photography. It's happening with SaaS software and for illustration work.

    That realization became so obvious to me when I realize that in 12 hours I built a complete app that had more features that what took me and my first startup team 12 months to create 10 years ago.

    It's an extreme example, but I think it goes to show that it's more important than ever to focus on your unique mix of skills (psychology, design, tech, dev, marketing, sales, etc).

    Cocktails > shots.

    0 points
  • Valentin de Bruyn, over 3 years ago

    To be fair, humaaans is a really well conceived design product and I tend to think its purpose is more about helping to feature more diversity in illustrations. (opinion based on the overall excellent work of its creator Pablo Stanley)

    0 points
  • James O., over 3 years ago

    If it does, than a lot of businesses will bland all together (which is really bad for business!)

    I wouldn't want to be in one of those businesses.

    0 points
  • Jake CounsellJake Counsell, over 3 years ago

    This style looked dated 2 years ago and feels VERY unauthentic... sooo no

    0 points
  • Thomas Michael SemmlerThomas Michael Semmler, over 3 years ago

    Most definitely not. It doesn't even replace undraw.co

    0 points