Designers Guide to Privacy Preserving Prompting
The Two-Step Abstraction Method

by Riley Coleman

Why Abstraction Matters
When you use AI tools in your professional tasks, confidentiality is crucial. Sharing specific details could unintentionally expose sensitive information. The Two-Step Abstraction Method helps you safely get valuable AI insights without risking privacy.

The Method in Simple Terms
Abstraction is a two-step process to remove identifiable details while preserving the essential scenario:
  • Level 1 (Generic Abstraction): Replace specific details with general descriptions.
  • Level 2 (Pattern Abstraction): Convert the general scenario into a question about methods and approaches, not specific content.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Level 1: Generic Abstraction
Remove specifics, but maintain the essence of your challenge:
  • Replace names (companies, products, people) with general terms ("a company," "an app," "a manager").
  • Generalise locations, dates, or proprietary details ("multiple regions," "upcoming season," "high-traffic period").
  • Use relative metrics rather than exact numbers ("approximately 30% drop-off" instead of "32% drop-off").
  • Substitute industry-specific terms with understandable, general alternatives.
Level 2: Pattern Abstraction
Focus on methods and transferable principles without specifics:
  • Clearly identify the type of challenge ("communication problem," "project delay," "user experience issue").
  • Emphasise "how" and "why" rather than specifics of "what" happened.
  • Frame your question to address approach, methodology, and best practices.
Product Designer
"Act as a Product Designer. I want to redesign Up Bank's savings goals feature in order to increase regular deposits and customer engagement.
This is the context: Data shows 62% of savings goals are abandoned after 2 months. The current round-up feature generates only $18 per month on average. CTO Anson Parker wants to incorporate behavioural economics principles before the Q2 launch of Youth Accounts. Main competitors 86 400 and Bendigo Bank have recently added similar features with gamification elements."
Level 1 (Generic Abstraction)
"Act as a Product Designer. I want to redesign a financial app's savings feature in order to increase regular deposits and engagement.
This is the context: Data shows most savings goals are abandoned after a short period. The current automatic saving feature generates minimal amounts. Leadership wants to incorporate behavioural principles before launching a new account type. Competitors have added similar features with gamification elements."
Level 2 (Pattern Abstraction)
"Act as a Product Designer. I want to improve a digital tool for positive habit formation in order to increase consistent user engagement.
What behaviour change frameworks are most effective for financial wellbeing? How might we design for long-term motivation rather than initial excitement? What approaches balance automation with user agency?
Please ask questions to help me design for sustainable behaviour change."
UX Researcher
Original (Confidential)
"Act as a UX Researcher. I want to design an ethnographic study for Westpac's wealth platform in order to understand how high-net-worth seniors make investment decisions.
This is the context: We're seeing low adoption of our AI advisory feature among clients 55+. Our team thinks these clients distrust AI recommendations. We need insights by November for our 2026 roadmap. Research will involve 15 participants in Sydney and Melbourne with $2M+ portfolios."Level 1 (Generic Abstraction)
Level 1 (Generic Abstraction)
"Act as a UX Researcher. I want to design an ethnographic study for a financial platform in order to understand how mature clients make investment decisions.
This is the context: We're seeing low adoption of a technology feature among older users. Our team thinks these clients may distrust automated recommendations. We need insights for upcoming planning. Research will involve participants across multiple locations with substantial investments."
Level 2 (Pattern Abstraction)
"Act as a UX Researcher. I want to design qualitative research to understand trust barriers in order to improve product adoption.
What approaches work best for studying technology resistance in specific demographics? What ethical considerations apply when researching sensitive behaviours? What methods uncover unstated concerns? Please ask questions to help refine my research approach."
Content Designer
"Act as a Content Designer. I want to develop microcopy for CommBank's new savings app targeting Gen Z in order to increase account openings.
This is the context: 'CommBank Boost' launches in August targeting 200,000 new accounts. Testing in Parramatta showed 18-24 year olds find banking language confusing. Marketing wants to use financial wellness and gamification trends. ASIC guidelines and last year's ACCC complaint make legal particularly cautious."
Level 1 (Generic Abstraction)
"Act as a Content Designer. I want to develop microcopy for a financial app targeting young adults in order to increase account openings.
This is the context: The app launches soon with ambitious targets. Testing showed younger audiences find financial language confusing. Marketing wants to use wellness and gamification trends. Regulatory guidelines and previous issues make legal particularly cautious."
Level 2 (Pattern Abstraction)
"Act as a Content Designer. I want to create engaging language for a regulated industry in order to drive user acquisition.
What approaches simplify complex concepts without losing accuracy? How might we balance conversational tone with compliance? What content patterns engage younger audiences while building trust?
Please ask questions to help me develop a strategic content approach."
Design Operations Manager
"Act as a Design Operations Manager. I want to create an AI governance framework for Telstra's Design System team in order to maintain brand consistency while enabling innovation.
This is the context: Our 42 designers across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are using Midjourney and DALL-E, creating inconsistent visuals. CEO Vicki Brady worries about brand dilution. We need guidelines that preserve our brand identity before our September rebrand launch."
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Level 1 (Generic Abstraction)
"Act as a Design Operations Manager. I want to create an AI governance framework for a design system team in order to maintain brand consistency while enabling innovation.
This is the context: Our designers across multiple locations are using generative AI tools, creating inconsistent visuals. Leadership worries about brand dilution. We need guidelines that preserve our design philosophy before an upcoming rebrand launch."
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Level 2 (Pattern Abstraction)
"Act as a Design Operations Manager. I want to develop governance for emerging technologies in order to balance creativity with consistency.
What approaches establish guardrails without stifling innovation? How might we create policies that remain relevant as AI evolves? What considerations should inform tool integration with design systems? Please ask questions to help me think through technology governance."
Head of Design
"Act as a Head of Design. I want to restructure Atlassian's design organisation in order to better integrate AI capabilities across our product suite.
This is the context: Our 85-person design team across Sydney and Melbourne is struggling with AI integration. Recent attrition is at 22% as designers fear replacement by generative AI. CEO Mike Cannon-Brookes wants to showcase "AI-native workflows" in Jira and Confluence by Q3. Competitors like Figma and Adobe have launched AI co-design features that our enterprise clients are requesting. We need a restructure plan, upskilling roadmap, and hiring strategy by the July leadership offsite."
Level 1 (Generic Abstraction)
"Act as a Head of Design. I want to restructure a design organisation in order to better integrate AI capabilities across our products.
This is the context: Our multi-location design team is struggling with AI integration. Recent attrition is high as designers fear replacement by AI. Leadership wants to showcase AI-native workflows in our flagship products soon. Competitors have launched AI features that our enterprise clients are requesting. We need a restructure plan, upskilling roadmap, and hiring strategy for an upcoming leadership meeting."
Level 2 (Pattern Abstraction)
"Act as a Head of Design. I want to adapt a design organisation for technological change in order to maintain team strength while meeting business objectives.
What organisational models best support emerging technology adoption? How might we address fear and resistance while promoting innovation? What approaches balance immediate capability needs with long-term team health? Please ask questions to help me develop a change management strategy for design leadership."
Design Strategist
"Act as a Design Strategist. I want to develop an AI transformation roadmap for Woolworths' in-store experience in order to counter Amazon Fresh's Australian expansion.
This is the context: CEO Brad Banducci prioritised 'phygital' experiences in their $500M transformation. Pilots include SmartCart in Chatswood, e-ink pricing in Bondi, and personalised recommendations via Everyday Rewards. Research shows 64% of shoppers value convenience over price, but 71% worry about privacy. Coles launches similar initiatives in Q1 2026."
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Level 1 (Generic Abstraction)
"Act as a Design Strategist. I want to develop an AI transformation roadmap for retail in order to counter digital competitors' expansion.
This is the context: Leadership prioritised blending physical and digital experiences in their transformation. Pilots include self-scanning technology, dynamic pricing, and personalised recommendations. Research shows most shoppers value convenience over price, but many worry about privacy. Competitors launch similar initiatives next year."
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Level 2 (Pattern Abstraction)
"Act as a Design Strategist. I want to create a technology roadmap for traditional environments in order to respond to digital disruption.
What frameworks help prioritise initiatives when user trust is at stake? How might we blend physical and digital experiences while respecting privacy? What methods assess competitive landscapes during rapid change? Please ask questions to help develop transformation strategies."
Service Designer
"Act as a Service Designer. I want to redesign NSW Health's cancer patient journey in order to reduce wait times between diagnosis and treatment.
This is the context: Data from Royal Prince Alfred Hospital shows 78% of breast cancer patients feel 'lost in the system'. Dr. Thompson reports communication gaps between radiology, pathology and oncology causing 3-week delays. We must reimagine the service journey by March 2026 to meet government targets."
Level 1 (Generic Abstraction)
"Act as a Service Designer. I want to redesign a healthcare patient journey in order to reduce wait times between diagnosis and treatment.
This is the context: Hospital data shows patients with a serious condition feel 'lost in the system'. Leadership reports communication gaps between departments causing significant delays. We must reimagine the service journey to meet performance targets."
Level 2 (Pattern Abstraction)
"Act as a Service Designer. I want to improve a complex multi-touchpoint service in order to enhance experience and efficiency.
What methodologies help identify communication gaps in high-stakes environments? How might we approach journey mapping with multiple stakeholders? What techniques prioritise interventions when both emotional and operational outcomes matter? Please ask questions to deepen my thinking."
The Reality Check
Here's what nobody talks about: this careful abstraction process might not be sustainable long-term. As AI becomes more integrated into our business tools—built into Microsoft / Google Office suites, embedded in research platforms, woven throughout our workflows—the luxury of careful prompt crafting may disappear.
We're in a transitional moment. The practices I'm advocating buy us time whilst the industry develops better privacy-preserving AI solutions: local models, enterprise systems with proper data governance, and tools designed specifically for sensitive design work.
But right now, with the tools most of us use daily, this Goldilocks approach is our best defence against naïve enthusiasm creating lasting privacy problems.
AI is radically changing Design
Are you ready?
Cohort 8 - Starting Feb 11th