Designing for AI: A Conversation with Model Designers Paz Perez & Laura Costantino
We're excited to be joined by Paz Perez and Laura Costantino as we co-host this event with the Designer Friends community 🙌
Lately, much of the conversation in the design community has centered on new AI tools and evolving design processes. For this session, we wanted to focus on the under-served area of designing the AI models and experiences. (Check out Laura Costantino's informational post on the differences of designing with, for, and the AI.)
Model Designers Paz Perez and Laura Costantino will be talking about the mindset shift needed to design an ever evolving AI experience that is non-deterministic with UIs that adapt and respond differently on each use.
The mental models we’ve relied on for years as designers no longer map to that reality.
How do you design for outputs you can't fully predict? Where does UX end and model behavior begin? What does your role look like when you no longer control exactly what's on the screen?
The last 15-30 minutes will be reserved for audience Q&A so bring your questions and thoughts and let’s discuss.
Our host
Huge thanks to our host Amanda Prosky, the Celonis Product Experience Team and Celonis for graciously hosting us!
About Paz
Paz has led AI design solutions used by millions across the tech ecosystems of San Francisco and New York. At Google, she built the “Gen AI for UX Teams” program from the ground up, empowering hundreds of colleagues to confidently navigate and apply AI in their work.
She coined the term “Model Designer”, inspired by the early work of content designers shaping AI models. It became a new role in the industry, now with presence in companies like OpenAI, Figma, and Google. She is at the forefront of defining how UX can influence how models behave.
Before moving into UX, Paz spent years as an architect designing public schools in New York City and Barcelona, an experience that shaped her ability to lead complex systems and create inclusive, culturally aware experiences. Now she lives in Southern Spain, where she co-founded an AI consultancy firm, Nothing Fancy.
About Laura
Laura Costantino (they/she) is a Model Designer at Google DeepMind, where they work on model behavior and alignment for large language models. With over fifteen years of experience spanning UX, content strategy, marketing, and editorial, Laura brings a rare blend of creative and technical depth to AI product development. Most recently, they have shaped how one of the world’s most widely used AI systems thinks, responds, and behaves.
At DeepMind, Laura's work centers on a fundamental challenge in AI development: improve model’s behavior. Drawing on expertise in prompt engineering, evaluation design, and behavioral analysis, they work to make AI systems more consistent, predictable, and trustworthy—closing the gap between what models are capable of and how helpful they are in the real world.
Laura developed a deep love of storytelling early on and received an MA in Cinema Studies in San Francisco, where they worked as a curator for film festivals and cultural institutions throughout the Bay Area. Outside of work, they can be found on an eternal quest for the perfect Neapolitan pizza or retreating into a dark movie theater whenever life gets too loud. They share thoughts on AI and design on LinkedIn, live in New York City, were born in Calabria, and speak English and Italian fluently.
This bio was written with the help of an AI — which Laura had a hand in building, so at least it kept the job in the family.
Who is this for?
🍊 Asian Women in Design Leadership! People managers (and super IC's) who seek to understand not only how to design with AI, but how to design for AI to lead teams and experiences successfully. This batch of RSVP's have been reserved for specifically for AWDL's - if you do not meet this criteria but would like to request an invite, please sign up at the luma event page on Designer Friends.
Schedule
6:00 PM - Doors open + get-to-know-each-other activities
6:30 PM - Talk starts
7:15 PM - Audience Q&A
7:30 PM - More mingling time
9:00 PM - Doors close
Give us a follow on our AWDL LinkedIn!
The Asian Women in Design Leadership group unites established and emerging leaders to create new pathways for authentic executive advancement. Follow and tag us on our linkedin!
Catering + Allergies & dietary requirements
Catering menu TBA (likely Asian). While many of the options are gluten free, the prevalence of soy sauce in some cuisines means that we can not guarantee a contact-less kitchen for folks with Celiac disease. If your allergy is severe, please contact us to work out accommodations. A welcome drink will be provided for AWDL's at check in 🥂
🐝 Community Guidelines 🐝
We will follow the Designer Friends Community Guidelines & code of conduct.