Human Designer vs. Lovable Prompting: How to Prototype Smarter, Faster, and More Affordably

When starting a new digital project, one of the first big decisions is how to build a working prototype. Do you hire a UI/UX designer to craft bespoke screens in Figma, or work with a project manager to generate a smart prompt that builds directly in Lovable?

At Heer Digital, we support both approaches — and increasingly help clients convert Lovable-generated prototypes into custom WordPress themes. Choosing the right route depends on your priorities: speed, budget, originality, or polish.

The Designer + Lovable Approach

This traditional workflow begins with a UI/UX designer creating detailed, brand-aligned screens in Figma. Once approved, those designs are imported into Lovable to generate a working prototype.

Time Estimate:

Approximately 40 hours

Best For:

Projects that demand strong visual identity, originality, or stakeholder approval.

Pros:

• Custom & High-Quality Design – Every screen is designed with your brand and users in mind.
• Creative Direction – Designers bring a level of conceptual thinking and design nuance that AI can’t replicate.
• Reviewable Process – Stakeholders can review, tweak, and sign off before development begins.

Cons:

• Higher Cost – More people and more time means a larger budget.
• Longer Timeline – A week or more to reach a usable prototype.

The PM + Prompt Approach (Direct-to-Lovable)

In this alternative model, a project manager creates a detailed prompt based on your brief. That prompt is then fed into Lovable, which generates a working prototype without the need for Figma.

Time Estimate:

Approximately 8 hours

Best For:

Startups, early MVPs, internal tools, or projects with tight budgets and timelines.

Pros:

• Fast Turnaround – A working prototype in a single day.
• Cost Efficient – Fewer hours and no design phase means a smaller investment.
• Early Testing – Useful for validating ideas or pitching concepts quickly.

Cons:

• Template-Based Layouts – Designs are based on AI-generated patterns, not custom concepts.
• Less Visual Depth – The result may lack the polish and brand fidelity of a designer’s touch.
• Prompt Sensitivity – Success depends heavily on the quality and clarity of the brief.

WordPress Conversion Options

Whether you start with Figma or go straight to Lovable, we can take your prototype and convert it into a custom WordPress theme. This gives you a flexible CMS, a live website, and a clear path from idea to launch.

Final Thoughts

The choice between a designer-led process and an AI-driven prototype comes down to your project’s priorities. If you need speed and savings, prompting Lovable directly offers compelling advantages. If originality, design nuance, and visual storytelling matter most, the traditional design route is worth the investment.

At Heer Digital, we believe in the right tool for the job — and we’re here to help you prototype and launch in a way that suits your vision and resources.