Hello World! Welcome Friends! Talk to an interior designer who started their craft 3 or 4 decades ago and they will paint a very different picture of what is the norm today.
Pen and paper were the main means of communicating concepts or ideas. Oratory skills were necessary to create a vision in the client’s mind.
The teams spent time creating layouts and mockups to show the final output. All these processes were time-consuming and labor-intensive.
But now, technology has changed the game for everyone. The interior design space is a major beneficiary. Our article will show you how.
1. New Skills Requirements
The typical interior designer must still learn traditional design skills. You must also have the same level of creativity, curiosity, and love for the job. But, the reality is that technology is changing the world.
No one can exist in a cocoon of tradition in the modern world. Adopting the use of technology is not a subject that is up for debate.
Interior designers, and indeed all professionals, must learn new skill sets. Such include knowledge of design software, computer design tools and so much more.
When we say technology, we are not talking about enrolling for a coding or programming course today. It could be something as simple as using free presentation templates. Designers can use the available graphics, diagrams, and layouts when presenting their designs to clients and their teams. It saves them from having to start from scratch.
The templates allow for editing or customization depending on what the designer and client want. Further, developers have optimized the themes for mobile. So, it does not matter what device the client is using to see the designs.
Are we saying that pen and paper will no longer apply? We would hope not. After all, flashes of inspiration can come at the most inopportune moments. You still want your trusty design aids nearby.
But, no designer can ignore the specific benefits of using technology. You get convenience, efficiency, and high productivity in one neat package.
2. Remote Collaboration Resulting in Time-Saving
Technologies like Building Information Modeling (BIM) are allowing for remote collaboration on projects. Teams generate and manage digital representations of functional and physical characteristics of locations. BIM uses 3D models for planning, design, construction and so much more.
Team members can extract and exchange information wherever they are. There is a greater collaboration resulting in quick decision-making and minimal errors. With cloud storage, anyone with permission can access information.
Teams come up with design concepts. They then agree on the final look, without meeting face to face. They do all this without spending any money on the actual material.
Everything occurs in the digital space. Even processes like choosing fabrics, textures, and colors happen online. No more waiting for clients who may have traveled out of the country.
A simple click of a button allows for video calls, chats, and document sharing. It is only after the final signoff that the teams start working on the actual site. Think about how much time they save with the use of such technologies.
3. Entry of 3D Printing to Cut Down Costs
When talking about exciting technological innovations, 3D printing should be one of the top contenders. There is a lot of excitement within the interior design industry. The revolutionary printing technique is cost-effective and very efficient.
Forget about spending days and money creating mockups. Now within minutes, the designer could have a miniature version of what they have in mind. It allows for quick decision-making, resulting in higher efficiency.
Printing can handle delicate jobs that machines may be incapable of doing. Designers can explore their creativity by coming up with unique 3D designs.
Companies like IKEA are jumping aboard the 3D bandwagon. They have 3D furniture add-ons that make them accessible to individuals with disabilities.
4. Immersive Experiences with AR and VR
Forget about counting on the client’s imagination to understand a concept. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual reality (VR) are making inroads everywhere. The design industry is not exempt.
By donning on a pair of VR headsets, a client can tour a virtual representation of the final work.
The immersive experience is so real because it blocks out the physical world. The client can walk from room to room.
Hand-controlled devices allow them to touch virtual elements. Unfortunately, virtual reality technology is quite costly. The Investment level may be a bit outside the reach of many designers.
For AR, all you need is a smartphone and the right app. It makes such technologies more affordable and accessible. The designer can choose and place furniture or other elements within a virtual room.
AR superimposes computer-generated graphics onto the real world. The client gets an idea of the final output.
Interior design companies use both technologies for sales and marketing purposes. Virtual tours mean customers do not have to be in the same geographical area. They don’t even need to walk into physical stores.
Using AR, they can pick the furniture they like. They get to see how it will look within the rooms. Once they make a choice, they place the order and have the pieces delivered to wherever they are.
Final Thoughts
It would be hard not to appreciate the important role of technology in interior design. Some people may have misgivings though. There is always the fear that technology will replace human beings.
With artificial intelligence, machines are becoming smarter. They are taking on tasks that were preserved for human beings. Another fear is that using technologies to create concepts and designs could lead to a loss of creativity. Even skills like drawing or sketching may soon become a lost art.
But, to cater to the modern customer, it is important to embrace technology. Interior designers can save a lot of precious time and money. No more staying up till morning working on client presentation boards or mock-ups.
Virtual and augmented reality provide immersive experiences allowing for better decision making. Interior designers don’t even need to travel a distance to show their work.
Cloud services allow for sharing and collaboration on a safe and secure platform. Automation also takes care of some of the menial tasks. Such include billing, proposal writing, budgeting and so much more.
It frees up the design team to concentrate on their core responsibilities. With technology, teams achieve higher efficiency and productivity.
Click the links below for any posts you have missed:
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Toodles,
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