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How To Design In The Agent Era

Y CombinatorY Combinator·44,167 views·Aug 7, 2026

Score and analysis

9.0
VIDSCORE

Summary

Stephen Haney, founder of Paper, discusses with Aaron Epstein how Paper's agent-native design tool leverages HTML and CSS for AI compatibility, contrasting it with traditional software.Haney details Paper's features like shaders and image generation, and explains its role in design-to-code workflows through live website critiques.The conversation highlights how to avoid common AI design flaws and emphasizes the enduring importance of human taste and decision-making in design.

Breakdown

The discussion thoroughly explores Paper's technical foundation, its application in various design tasks from shaders to code generation, and its strategic positioning in the market.Haney delves into the nuances of AI design, contrasting it with human design principles and discussing the future of the field.
The conversation between Aaron Epstein and Stephen Haney is highly engaging, driven by Haney's detailed explanations and Epstein's insightful questions.The live demos and critiques of user-submitted websites add a dynamic visual element that keeps the audience invested.
Stephen Haney, founder of Paper, details how the AI-native design tool leverages HTML and CSS for agent compatibility, contrasting it with traditional tools.He explains Paper's approach to brand design, image generation, and the design-to-developer handoff process, offering specific examples of its application.
Stephen Haney, founder of Paper, demonstrates deep expertise by explaining the technical architecture of his AI-native design tool, including its use of HTML/CSS as a rendering engine.He provides specific examples of Paper's features, such as shaders and image generation, and discusses its application in design-to-code workflows.
Aaron Epstein asks targeted questions that elicit detailed explanations from Stephen Haney, such as inquiring about the inspiration behind Paper and the specific meaning of 'agent-native. ' He also prompts Haney to elaborate on complex topics like AI's ability to learn taste and the future of design tooling.
Aaron Epstein and Stephen Haney engage in a dynamic conversation, with Epstein asking insightful follow-up questions based on Haney's responses.The dialogue flows naturally, covering Paper's features, design principles, and the future of AI in design.
The video features a clean, well-lit studio environment with two hosts seated at a desk.The camera work is stable, and the audio is clear throughout the discussion.

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