Will Interior Designers be Replaced by AI? A Designer’s Perspective

In a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing various industries, naturally, I wonder if my job will be taken over or impacted as well. Can and will AI one day replace human interior designers?! Well, in short EYE doesn’t think or hope so, but is it possible? Yes. No. Maybe?! Let’s discuss. 

The rise of AI in interior design

AI has made impressive strides in the world of interior design, there is no denying that. AI can now assist designers by automating tasks, such as space planning, furniture selection, and even colour palette recommendations. AI-powered software can analyze data and trends to provide designers with valuable insights, making the initial stages of design projects more efficient and data-driven. 

Another undeniable advantage of AI in interior design is its ability to streamline processes. For example, AI can quickly generate multiple design options based on client preferences, saving designers a significant amount of time. 

HOWEVER…

In the world of interior design, there are a lot of nuances. Interior design is usually not as simple as AI would like to make it out to be. AI can certainly aid in the design process, but completely take it over, I don’t think so. There are 2 elements that AI simply cannot replace and those are…

1. The designer and client relationship 

Yes, everyone…what a shocker! AI cannot replicate the relationships real designers have with their clients. And these relationships are crucial to the success of an interior design project. Speaking from my own experience, interior design is a personal process. The first step for me is actually getting to know my clients well. I observe the way that people interact in their homes, their quirks, their lifestyle, their goals… etc. These factors impact the way that I approach designing with them. As a designer, you start to get really intimate with your clients (no, not intimate in that way). I’m talking, you really start to get to know people WELL. Heck, I have even had clients come to family funerals…you get close. You embark on an interior design project together which usually takes months (sometimes years…) and in this time becoming personal is inevitable.

The advantage of really getting to know your clients is really tailoring their interiors to them and adding that special touch. For example, one of my clients shared a very touching story about the last time she saw her grandmother in southern Italy…this stuck with me, and when I was out shopping for her I came across this lemon bowl that was made in Sicily. I had to get it as I knew it would be the perfect accessory and the cherry-on-top of her kitchen remodel. And yes, she did love it. You see, there’s a human element that will always be missing from AI. You cannot create special moments without real human-to-human service. 

2. The creative aspect of interior design

While AI can be a valuable tool in the design process, it’s essential to recognize the limits of technology when it comes to creativity. Interior design is more than just arranging furniture and choosing colours; it’s about creating spaces that resonate with human emotions and experiences, and for this, you need that human-touch. Interior designers bring a unique blend of creativity, intuition, empathy, and cultural awareness to their work.

I truly believe that creatives, designers included were born with the eye. The eye is another way of describing innate talent. It’s just something that you were born with or not. We all know people who can pick up a pencil and create magnificent art and others who tried to follow 72 drawing tutorials but still can’t draw a banana. No shame, we are all blessed with different innate abilities. We, designers, rely on our own brains, talents and our client’s preferences to bring ideas that are truly creative. I believe this creativity goes far beyond what AI can do or will ever be able to do. 

In conclusion – will AI take over interior design jobs?

I think AI is a fantastic tool, but thats all I see it as, a tool. Personally, I don’t think AI is the answer for everything, nor will it replace everyone’s jobs. I think there are some things that truly need that human-touch, including interior design. Plus, I’m old school and I think we NEED human connection. As the decades go on and technology progresses, we are losing a lot of human connection. I think this is becoming a huge issue that will only get worse.

AI is easy and convenient, but at what cost?

Sure, AI is a fantastic tool. But I found myself asking myself this question the other day; What will AI cost us? How many jobs?…And how many human connections? How much personal growth? Will it take more than it gives? 

I didn’t mean to get that deep in this blog post. We were really only exploring AI and interior design, but it kind of got deep. Welp.

In conclusion, I don’t think AI can fully take over the interior design industry. Interior design involves personal connection and creativity among other skills that AI just cannot do (yet). AI is undoubtedly transforming the field of interior design, making it more efficient and data-driven. But, as I said, the unique creative abilities, personal connections, and deep understanding of human emotions that human designers bring to the table are irreplaceable. Rather than replacing interior designers, AI is likely to become a valuable tool that complements designer skills, ultimately leading to more innovative and personalized design solutions. It seems as if the future of interior design may be an exciting blend of human creativity and technological efficiency, which I am okay with! Read Things I Don’t Like In The Interior Design Field.

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