Prototyping often suffers when designers' skills overshadow the potential of the medium. The author points out that while working in code can enhance a designer’s understanding of web and app functionality, it can also lead to unrealistic designs. When under time pressure, designers may settle for limited or impractical concepts because they don’t fully grasp how to translate their ideas into tangible forms. This mindset stifles creativity and can result in missed opportunities. The author emphasizes the importance of hands-on experience with real engineering teams to truly understand the medium. Tools like Figma have constraints of their own, which may not align with actual web development processes. While Figma allows for visual prototyping, it lacks the material realism found in coding. The comparison highlights that learning the ropes of HTML and CSS can provide a more accurate representation of what can be achieved in the digital space. AI tools introduce a new dynamic, enabling designers to quickly simulate interactions that might otherwise take hours or days to implement. The author shares an example of creating a conversational UI using AI in minutes, underscoring the necessity of understanding the underlying web mechanics to effectively utilize these tools. This approach may not replace the deep knowledge required to navigate the web but can serve as a valuable supplement for designers looking to enhance their capabilities and push their creative boundaries. Ultimately, the challenge lies in finding ways to ensure that designs are limited by the medium itself rather than by the designer's understanding of it. The conversation shifts toward exploring strategies for educating designers so they can leverage both traditional coding and AI tools effectively.