Vibe Coding: Between magic and responsibility

"As a developer, I work with LLMs every day – and since tools like Cursor and Windsurf have been integrated directly into the editor, my workflow has changed drastically. With a single prompt, I can analyze, write, and test code. Platforms like v0 take it even further: I describe what I need, and the application almost creates itself.
While fascinating, it's also challenging. Because what is quickly generated must remain maintainable and secure in the long run. I often see how the same mindset used for prototypes is applied to production-ready features – and this is exactly where AI Slop occurs: code that works but isn’t sustainable.
My role has clearly shifted: I write less myself, but I steer, check, and decide more. It’s about recognizing when the AI chooses a poor solution or when a result is not "good enough." This only works if I use the tools situationally and thoughtfully – and don’t blindly trust every output.

For juniors, the question arises: How do you learn responsibility in this new reality? AI makes getting started easier – but understanding architecture, being sensitive to performance, and critical thinking are still essential. Vibe Coding changes a lot – but not the need to truly understand technology."

"When I think about Vibe Coding, the first thing I see is one thing: new freedoms in the design process. Today, I can directly articulate prototypes – and test them immediately. This saves time and creates space for what’s most important to me: usability, emotion, and storytelling.

The collaboration with developers has also changed. When I bring an AI-generated code suggestion into the discussion, I can present my ideas more concretely – and reduce misunderstandings. Instead of focusing on pixels, I can tell the AI: ‘This button should feel friendly.’ This shifts the focus to what really matters.

Still, I remain critical. AI makes many things easier – but it often repeats familiar patterns. If I don’t pay close attention, homogeneous designs that lack character can quickly emerge. And because the results often look ‘finished,’ it’s important not to forget to iterate and retest the prototypes.

For me, Vibe Coding is not a replacement for UX expertise – but a powerful amplifier. As long as I work consciously, I can design faster and more emotive. But I also know: without reflection, the focus on what truly matters can quickly be lost."

Vibe Coding not only influences design and development – but also how teams collaborate. What used to happen through handovers and style guides now takes place directly in the tool – as long as the prompts are precise and the results are traceable.

The opportunity: Designers and developers can iterate together in collaborative AI environments – in real time, in a creative back and forth. Handoffs become direct exchanges, and clear roles evolve into flexible collaboration.

For this to succeed, it takes more than just good tools: openness, willingness to learn, and mutual understanding become key success factors. Because Vibe Coding works as a bridge only when both sides actively contribute.

Vibe Coding not only redefines tools but also our roles:

• Developers steer processes strategically and ensure long-term code quality.

• Designers gain more freedom for user experience and emotion – without losing sight of craftsmanship.

• Teams collaborate more closely, iteratively, and interdisciplinarily.

AI doesn’t replace us – it expands our possibilities. Those who harness its potential purposefully and understand its limitations can work better, faster, and more user-centered with Vibe Coding.