Everyone’s vibe coding. You describe what you want, an AI writes the code, and moments later you’re testing it in the browser — no backlog, no sprint, no two-week change window. It feels like magic.
But there’s a trap nobody warns you about — and the euphoria that makes you feel unstoppable is exactly what keeps you from seeing it. In this episode, Michael unpacks what vibe coding actually is, the failure mode he sees most often, and where it really belongs — especially inside the enterprise.
Stick around to the end, where Michael leaves you with three things you can actually do to get better outcomes the next time you sit down to build.
Read the full written piece: What to Do When Everyone’s Vibe Coding
This is the first episode of By Design — so if you made it this far, thank you. I built the show to think out loud about the stuff in these essays, and I’d genuinely like to know if it landed. What worked, what didn’t, what you’d want more of — drop a comment. Early feedback shapes everything that comes next.
About the Show
By Design with Michael Light is for builders who refuse to let AI flatten their craft. Each episode digs into the intersection of technology, design, and intentional work — how to use powerful tools without trading away the judgment, taste, and soul that make the work yours. Hosted by Michael Light, a 25-year practitioner across design, software, and AI, with a current focus on applied AI and machine learning at scale. Part of the Michael by Design project. New episodes regularly — subscribe so you don’t miss one.
Credits
Written, produced, and scored by Michael Light.
A note on production: AI assisted only with formatting, spelling, and grammar. All other content is original to Michael Light.
