Based on the perspective of design tool evolution, this study undertakes a thorough review of how design tools in China’s coal design industry have developed since the founding of the People’s Republic of China—ranging from hand-drawn blueprints and mechanical drafting to Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Building Information Modeling (BIM). The findings highlight the pivotal importance of technological innovation in driving productivity. At present, China’s coal industry has reached a critical phase marked by accelerated digital and intelligent transformation, signifying the emergence of new-quality productivity. Drawing on more than two decades of professional experience in coal design, this research investigates the application scenarios of Extended Reality (XR) and blockchain technologies within the coal design sector. It further explores the potential of AI-driven generative “Design Large Models” for enhancing design innovation, proposing a four-layer architecture for these models and forecasting their future application prospects. Guided by the productivity leap evolution approach based on technology diffusion theory, and in light of ongoing advances in intelligent design tools, generative “Design Large Models” and similar intelligent design platforms are poised to become key innovation drivers in the new era of coal design. They will serve as a core force propelling revolutionary digitalization and intelligence across the coal industry, ultimately contributing to the high-quality development of coal design.