Challenge
Adobe's Firefly AI, while innovative for generative tasks in tools like Photoshop, faces user frustrations, including intrusive suggestions (often likened to an "annoying Clippy"), poor prompt interpretation leading to wasted credits, and ethical concerns over intellectual property (IP) rights and data training without explicit consent. These issues contribute to workflow disruptions, trust erosion, and potential churn among freelance designers and pros, as evidenced by research from 2025 feedback on Reddit and X highlighting bloated interfaces and (IP) fears. Buzz Mack Media needs to create trust and prevent lost work and time for users to enhance Adobe Firefly in Photoshop or the Firefly web app, without disrupting the main canvas.
Process
Conducted deep research via X, Reddit, and Adobe forums to identify pain points, synthesizing insights into user personas (e.g., frustrated freelancer). Develop high-fidelity design prompts optimized for the Figma prototyping ecosystem, focusing on ethical overlays with opt-in flows, micro-animations, and WCAG compliance. Iterated the prompt for dev handoff (e.g., Design System Components) and created 7 responsive screens emphasizing consent toggles and contextual HUDs.
Results
The prototype demonstrates a trust-first AI interface that could reduce perceived intrusiveness by 70% (based on user feedback benchmarks) and boost retention through personalized, revocable features. Hypothetical user testing metrics: 85% satisfaction in privacy controls, based upon
Research & FigJam Brainstorming Session
Adobe Companion AI Studio Opt-in Training Module
Onboarding Design Prompt
AI Companion Onboarding Modal
(Full-Screen Overlay, 1440x900px Desktop Frame):
Centered modal (80% width, max-height: 600px, overflow: auto)
Head
H1 'Welcome to Your AI Companion—You Control It'
(24px, centered, fade-in 0.5s delay 0s).
Body
3-step vertical stack (icons + text)
Step1: Opt-in to train locally. (no cloud share)
Step2: Contextual refinements only on request.
Step3: Revoke anytime via the dashboard.
(Each step animates slide-up 0.4s staggered delays).
Elements: Horizontal Auto Layout for toggles 'Personal Training' ToggleSwitch: (off default, ARIA-label='Enable local model training')
Suggestion Frequency' Slider: (Low/Med/High variants, thumb drag anim 0.2s)
View Privacy Dashboard: (secondary text link, underline on hover)
Footer
Consent: Checkbox below body
('I consent to local data use—revocable', checked via interaction).
Responsive: On tablet/mobile, stack footer vertically, reduce modal to 95% width.
Prototype: On CTA click → Transition to Idle Overlay (dissolve 0.3s);
On Skip → Dismiss modal (scale-down 0.4s).
Primary Button horizontal flex—Primary CTA 'Start Free Trial'
(filled blue button, 48px height, pulse anim 1s infinite on idle),
Secondary Button 'Skip & Dismiss' (outlined gray, fade-out on click).
(Full-Screen Overlay, 1440x900px Desktop Frame):
Centered modal (80% width, max-height: 600px, overflow: auto)
Head
H1 'Welcome to Your AI Companion—You Control It'
(24px, centered, fade-in 0.5s delay 0s).
Body
3-step vertical stack (icons + text)
Step1: Opt-in to train locally. (no cloud share)
Step2: Contextual refinements only on request.
Step3: Revoke anytime via the dashboard.
(Each step animates slide-up 0.4s staggered delays).
Elements: Horizontal Auto Layout for toggles 'Personal Training' ToggleSwitch: (off default, ARIA-label='Enable local model training')
Suggestion Frequency' Slider: (Low/Med/High variants, thumb drag anim 0.2s)
View Privacy Dashboard: (secondary text link, underline on hover)
Footer
Consent: Checkbox below body
('I consent to local data use—revocable', checked via interaction).
Responsive: On tablet/mobile, stack footer vertically, reduce modal to 95% width.
Prototype: On CTA click → Transition to Idle Overlay (dissolve 0.3s);
On Skip → Dismiss modal (scale-down 0.4s).
Primary Button horizontal flex—Primary CTA 'Start Free Trial'
(filled blue button, 48px height, pulse anim 1s infinite on idle),
Secondary Button 'Skip & Dismiss' (outlined gray, fade-out on click).
Quick Stats Design Prompt
Idle Stat Docked Side Bar Companion
AI_Companion_Idle_Overlay
(Docked Sidebar, Right-Edge, 250x540px)
Description:
Fixed sidebar
(z-index 999, top 20%)
Top:
48px avatar + H2 'Ready to Assist?'
(20px, pulse glow 2s)
Collapsible accordion:
'Quick Stats' card
(ProgressBar '5 credits left', ARIA-live)
Style Memory horizontal chips
(scrollable mobile)
Bottom:
Mic button
(ripple 0.3s, ARIA 'Voice')
Gear
(rotate 90deg)
X minimize
(slide-out 0.4s)
Responsive:
Tablet bottom-dock
Mobile FAB 56px expand
Interactions:
Mic → Voice field typewriter
Gear → Privacy slide-left 0.3s
Generate:
Wireframe image
(light/dark, mobile variant)
AI_Companion_Idle_Overlay
(Docked Sidebar, Right-Edge, 250x540px)
Description:
Fixed sidebar
(z-index 999, top 20%)
Top:
48px avatar + H2 'Ready to Assist?'
(20px, pulse glow 2s)
Collapsible accordion:
'Quick Stats' card
(ProgressBar '5 credits left', ARIA-live)
Style Memory horizontal chips
(scrollable mobile)
Bottom:
Mic button
(ripple 0.3s, ARIA 'Voice')
Gear
(rotate 90deg)
X minimize
(slide-out 0.4s)
Responsive:
Tablet bottom-dock
Mobile FAB 56px expand
Interactions:
Mic → Voice field typewriter
Gear → Privacy slide-left 0.3s
Generate:
Wireframe image
(light/dark, mobile variant)
Credits Remaining for Workflow Transparency.
Style Memory in Case of Crash Disruption and for Reuse.
Active HUD Design Prompt
AI Companion Active Suggestion HUD
(Expanded Sidebar During Gen, 350x600px)
Description:
Expands from Idle on prompt.
Header:
H2 'Refine My Idea?' + close X
(slide-in 0.4s)
Core:
Horizontal carousel
(2 SuggestionCard previews 200x150px, swipe mobile)
Cards:
Image + editable text
Add signature lighting?
thumbs up/down
(scale 1.2x hover, color shift 0.2s)
Why This?
Tooltip Dropdown:
Natural language textarea below
(placeholder 'Tweak tones...', enter submit)
PrivacyBadge bottom-right
Responsive:
Mobile vertical stack, full-height
Interactions:
Thumbs → Bottom toast 0.3s
Submit → Morph preview
Generate:
Wireframe image
(light/dark, tablet variant)
(Expanded Sidebar During Gen, 350x600px)
Description:
Expands from Idle on prompt.
Header:
H2 'Refine My Idea?' + close X
(slide-in 0.4s)
Core:
Horizontal carousel
(2 SuggestionCard previews 200x150px, swipe mobile)
Cards:
Image + editable text
Add signature lighting?
thumbs up/down
(scale 1.2x hover, color shift 0.2s)
Why This?
Tooltip Dropdown:
Natural language textarea below
(placeholder 'Tweak tones...', enter submit)
PrivacyBadge bottom-right
Responsive:
Mobile vertical stack, full-height
Interactions:
Thumbs → Bottom toast 0.3s
Submit → Morph preview
Generate:
Wireframe image
(light/dark, tablet variant)
AI Companion UI Design Dark Mode
