How to use AI without sounding like everyone else

If you’ve been here a while, you know how much I care about helping designers create thoughtful client experiences. What you say to your clients is just as important as what you show them. Communication shapes how clients see your work and, ultimately, whether they trust you.

It’s great for sparking ideas, generating images, drafting emails, website copy and even planning content. But have you noticed how much of what’s out there feels the same? Emails, captions, and posts start to blur together, and it’s hard to tell who’s behind them.

When AI first became available, I jumped right in. I’d type in a prompt, accept the first thing it gave me, and move on. It felt efficient. But as more and more people began doing the same, I realised I was starting to sound like everyone else.

That’s when I had to recalibrate how I use AI (and still do!). Now, I see it as a tool to help me start, but the final version is always mine. AI can’t truly understand my audience unless I teach it. And even then, it’s a conversation, not a one-and-done solution. I call it churning. It’s a back-and-forth conversation where I push AI to think deeper to get better results.

How to use AI without losing your voice

1. Give AI the full picture

AI isn’t magic—it needs details to deliver meaningful results. When asking it to draft something, include as much context as possible. Instead of saying, “Write a proposal for a client,” explain who the client is, what they value, and what concerns they might have.

For example:

"This is a proposal for a family who values sustainability and wants their home to reflect that. Include details about my approach to eco-friendly materials, budget transparency, and timeline flexibility..."

By providing specifics, you’re giving AI the information it needs to deliver something that resonates.

2. Make it a conversation

AI can generate ideas, but it doesn’t fully understand your clients unless you guide it. When you use tools like ChatGPT or Claude, don’t just ask for a draft and move on. Give it context about your client and their needs. Ask follow-up questions like:

• Does this address my client’s concerns?

• What’s another way to frame this idea?

This back-and-forth helps refine the results into something more thoughtful and relevant. The more you engage with AI, the more aligned the results will be with your voice and your client’s needs.

3. Refine the output to make it yours

AI can help you draft quickly, but the final version needs to come from you. Editing isn’t optional; it’s where your personality and voice come through. Think about how your client would respond to the draft. Does this feel relevant to them? Does it sound like something you’d say? If not, tweak it until it does.

A word of caution

We’ve all heard advice like, “Save time by letting AI write all your content for the year in one hour!” While that might sound appealing, it misses the bigger picture. Saving time is important, but if your content doesn’t reflect your clients’ needs, it will feel generic and disconnected.

AI is being pushed everywhere, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the flood of information. Your clients don’t need more noise; they need to feel like you’re speaking directly to them. The goal isn’t just to churn out content, it's to create something meaningful that builds trust and connection.

How templates and AI work together

There’s a common misconception that templates or AI will make everything look and sound the same. That’s only true if you don’t adapt them.

All of my templates were created from design industry experience. They’re based on the processes I’ve used with actual clients and Interior Designers I've collaborated with, refined to help you save time while improving the way you communicate. The placeholder text is designed to guide you, but it’s not the final word. You bring the personalisation, your branding, and your voice.

AI can help refine placeholder text/image or generate ideas for personalisation, but your templates will always work best when you make them your own. Pairing thoughtful inputs with the structure my templates provide ensures your client-facing documents reflect who you are.

Why this matters

The way you communicate can either build trust or create distance. Your clients don’t just want to know what you’re offering—they want to feel like you understand them. If your emails or proposals feel generic, they miss the mark.

This is why personalisation is key. With the right tools and a little intention, you can create communication that connects deeply with your clients.

If you’re ready to create client documents that will help you get started with reflecting your voice and building trust, our templates are here to help.

Explore our go-to collection of templates for Interior Designers and Architects who do it all.