Aura AI Lab

AI-powered product building in progress.
From product idea to design system to code. Exploring a more intentional way to build with AI.

Aura AI Lab is my ongoing experiment in AI-powered product building. I'm using it to explore how far I can take a product idea by bringing together Product Design, code, and AI,  while developing my own methodology along the way.

More than building an app, this project is about challenging the way I work. As I experiment with AI, I'm learning to identify the limitations of my process, rethink how I approach product development, and find better ways to move from an idea to something real.

Aura

The Journey

  1. 01

    Explore

    From idea to MVP

    Exploring the problem space, defining the first visual concepts, and building an initial MVP to test the idea and my capabilities as a Product Builder.

  2. 02

    Define

    Finding Aura's visual identity

    Refining the visual direction and translating it into a high-fidelity HTML prototype that feels more cohesive and true to Aura's concept.

  3. 03

    Systematize

    From design to code

    Turning the lessons from previous iterations into a more intentional AI-powered workflow, exploring a code-based Design System, and building the foundations needed to take Aura further.

Approach
Mental health has always been a priority for me and an important part of my life. Through conversations, I've realized that many people struggle with the idea of going to therapy or finding someone who can help them.

That got me thinking: could I explore a way to make that first step easier?

Aura started as an idea and became an opportunity to challenge myself as a Product Builder. My goal is to experiment with the tools, processes, and skills needed to turn this idea into a product, starting with an MVP and, hopefully, launching it in the future.
Design System & MVP
I started by exploring key visual UI concepts in both light and dark modes. Once I had a visual direction, I began validating accessibility and exploring the core interactions.

With the help of Claude and the MCP protocol, I created the first version of the Design Kit. This gave me a foundation to experiment with the MVP, test ideas, and understand how my design decisions translated into a working experience.

The first iteration helped me explore the initial product experience, but it also showed me that building with AI requires more than generating interfaces. I needed a better way to connect design decisions, functionality, and implementation.
Version 2.0:
Finding Aura's Visual Identity
The first MVP helped me explore the core experience, but I felt there was more to discover visually.

I wanted Aura to feel closer to the idea of a person's identity and soul, rather than looking like just another AI-powered product.

After exploring different visual directions and validating the concepts, I started co-creating with Claude to build a high-fidelity HTML prototype that felt more cohesive and aligned with Aura's visual identity.

This iteration helped me move beyond functional exploration and start defining what makes Aura feel like Aura. It also gave me the opportunity to rethink how I collaborate with AI, moving from generating quick solutions to making more intentional design decisions.
Version 3.0: A New Methodology
After going back and forth with Claude, I realized that generating interfaces wasn't the hardest part. The real challenge was figuring out how to create with AI more intentionally, efficiently, and consistently.

Instead of treating every iteration as an isolated exercise, I started developing a new methodology with Claude. I focused on better communication, clearer inputs, resource optimization, and a more structured way to move from design to code.

This became an important shift in my process. Rather than simply using AI to speed up execution, I began exploring how to shape the way AI and I work together.

Version 3.0 is where I want to take this approach further: connecting the Design System to code and exploring a more reliable foundation for Aura's future development.
Next steps
Now that I'm happy with the visual direction of Version 2.0, I want to take the experiment further by creating a code-based Design System.

From there, I'll use Claude to help me explore the business model, define the necessary user flows, and understand what it would take to turn Aura into a mental health platform that connects people with mental health professionals.

The goal isn't just to build an app. It's to develop a repeatable approach to product building with AI — one that helps me make better decisions, build more intentionally, and bring future product ideas to life.

Aura is still a work in progress, and the next step is to turn what I've learned into a more structured foundation that can support its evolution from prototype to a potential product launch.
Learnings
Building Design Systems with AI
‍Exploring how to create and refine a Design System in less time while maintaining visual consistency and precision.

Code as a source of truth
Shifting my mindset toward code as the foundation of a Design System, rather than treating it as something that comes after design.

From Product Designer to Product Builder
‍Challenging myself to go beyond interfaces and develop a broader understanding of what it takes to take a product idea closer to launch.

A new way of working with AI
‍Developing better ways to communicate with Claude, structure prompts, and use tokens and resources more efficiently.

Designing the process, not just the product
‍Recognizing the limitations of my initial workflow and using those lessons to co-create a more intentional methodology for Version 3.0.

Building for continuity
‍Creating a code repository to keep my work backed up, organized, and ready to evolve beyond individual AI sessions.
Conclusion
Aura AI Lab is an ongoing experiment in learning by building. It's helping me challenge my current capabilities, rethink my process, and explore what's possible when Product Design, code, and AI come together.

The biggest outcome so far isn't just a prototype. It's a better understanding of how I want to build products — and the foundations of a methodology I can continue to develop, apply, and eventually use to bring Aura and other ideas to life.

Rappi Promos

Design Systems

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