Two weeks ago, I decided to give Google's Gemini AI a real shot. Not just a quick test run, but actually integrating it into my daily workflow.

Most design programs teach you the fundamentals: typography, color theory, layout principles, design systems. You learn software.

Picture this: You spend months crafting the perfect marketing campaign. Professional photographers, expensive equipment, polished copy.

I dont always start with Figma. Sometimes I start with a feeling.

When you try new tools there's always that phase where you're like "wow, this is amazing, this changes everything!" I've been testing Claude this week and honestly, I went through that exact cycle.

User-generated content has become the backbone of modern marketingbut most advice focuses on theory rather than execution. We asked nine marketing leaders who've built successful UGC programs to share exactly how they do it, what works, and what doesn't.