Contributors
Cansu Akverdi
This article explores the intricate dynamics of collaboration between designers and AI-powered design tools, focusing on their impact on designer productivity within the framework of Actor-Network Theory (ANT). Using a qualitative research approach, the study examines how designers interact with artificial intelligence technologies and how these interactions redefine their creative processes. ANT serves as a theoretical foundation, highlighting the heterogeneous network of human and non-human actors and illustrating how these agents contribute to and shape collaborative efforts in productivity-driven environments. Through detailed interviews and workshop-based case studies, the research investigates how designers and AI design tools influence, transform, and communicate with one another. The findings underscore the increasingly collaborative nature of productivity in the digital age, revealing that AI tools are not just passive aids but active participants in the creative ecosystem. These tools play an evolving and transformative role, fostering co-creation and innovation within the Actor-Network framework. By shedding light on this interplay, the study offers new perspectives on the integration of AI in design, emphasizing its potential to redefine traditional creative boundaries. This research serves as a valuable resource for understanding the future of designer-AI collaboration, providing insights for academics, practitioners, and innovators exploring the convergence of technology and creativity.