Designing Beyond the Screen: Nicole Torino on Spatial Intelligence in AI

Last August 9, Nicole Torino, Product Designer at Springboard Philippines and co-founder of The Frame, shared her trailblazing insights on the future of design at “Design is _” in Davao City, hosted by UX Davao.

Her talk, “Spatial Intelligence in AI: Designing Beyond the 2D Screen”, brought together psychology, emerging technologies, and the infinite possibilities of artificial intelligence. Nicole challenged designers to break free from traditional 2D interfaces and embrace a future where design happens in three-dimensional, interactive environments.

What is Spatial Intelligence in AI?

Nicole began by tracing the roots of spatial intelligence in psychology, where it refers to our ability to visualize, understand, and adapt to spatial relationships in our environment. Today, this concept is evolving into Spatial Computing—through AR (Augmented Reality), VR (Virtual Reality), and now, generative AI capable of navigating and creating 3D environments.

She introduced a groundbreaking development: with the help of WorldLabs, researchers are now enabling AI to generate infinite interactive 3D worlds from a single 2D image. This breakthrough pushes the boundaries of design, shifting the focus from flat interfaces to experiences that integrate space, presence, and movement.

The Future of Design: From Screens to Spaces

Nicole emphasized an urgent reality: the designer’s role is no longer confined to pixels and screens. Instead, user experiences will increasingly unfold in immersive environments, shaped by gestures, body movements, and spatial engagement.

Her message was clear: 👉 “As designers, we don’t just create interfaces—we create experiences. And no matter the medium, if we put our users first, we will continually evolve.”

Audience Q&A: Addressing the Big Questions

The Q&A session with UX Davao’s community brought important conversations to the table:

Q: How do we start preparing for spatial design? 💡 Nicole suggests starting with accessible 3D modeling tools such as Blender, Autodesk Maya, or browser-based platforms like Spline for easy web integrations.

Q: With agentic AI rising, isn’t this scary? What’s the worst that could happen? 🔑 Nicole reassures: “As long as leaders in AI evolutions put humanity first, there is nothing to fear.”

Q: What happens if UX is no longer 2D? 🌍 Nicole reframes the mindset: “It’s time to shift. UX isn’t about screens—it’s about people. Our mission remains: to design with empathy, regardless of medium.”

Why This Matters for Designers and Developers

Nicole closed her talk with an empowering perspective: AI is not here to take away jobs. It’s here to create new roles—roles that will require creativity, spatial thinking, and human-centered design.

Instead of resisting, Nicole urges digital professionals to embrace becoming co-creators with AI. The future of design lies not in competing with technology, but in shaping it with values, empathy, and imagination.

Key Takeaways for Designers

• Start exploring 3D modeling and spatial tools now—future UX isn’t flat.
• View AI not as competition, but as a collaborative partner in creation.
• Design principles remain timeless: put users first, regardless of medium.
• The boundary between digital spaces and real-world presence is blurring fast.