As in most industries, technology is transforming interior design at an incredible pace. Smart home integration, the Internet of Things, virtual reality, high-tech materials—a Google search on the topic of technology and interior design nets more than 61 million results in less than 0.55 seconds.
These technological innovations continue to transform the way we work and live. Whether it’s a need for rapid prototyping or access to valuable data that can inform a project’s outcome, expectations are continually increasing.
And if that’s not enough, the increasingly mobile nature of our world demands technology that allows us to take work everywhere with virtually no interruptions in connectivity.
But just as important as product innovations are the platforms and practices that are driving connectivity on a global scale.
open source, open opportunity
No longer are design solutions singularly the product of professional prescription. Consumers are leveraging technology as a way to take design into their own hands. Take Houzz as an example. An online home design destination, the platform claims a community of more than 35 million homeowners and professionals who share ideas, trends, and product information.
From Pinterest to online design services such as Arcbazar, CoContest, and Decorilla, crowdsourcing and community opinion have increasingly become conduits for feedback. Such networking/prospecting/sharing platforms are a relatively new phenomenon in the interior design profession, and as ICON magazine noted this fall, both have positive and negative implications for designers and clients. But as ASID’s Industry Outlook indicated, this “disruption” may actually be creating more projects for the market than ever before.
A threat to the profession? Maybe, maybe not. In this shared economy, we as designers can use these platforms to better ourselves, our clients, and the world. Embracing a community-centric approach to design is much like benching in the co-working environment. By working side by side with other professionals and our clients, we can learn, grow, and create design solutions that often surpass what we can do on our own.
engagement redefined
Not that long ago, a website was revolutionary. It became the new brochure, allowing design businesses to talk electronically at prospective clients. Today, websites are the interactive hubs of multi-tentacled, collaborative communications. From Twitter to Facebook and Instagram to YouTube, interior design professionals are expanding their reach and conversations far beyond their office doors.
In fact, in research conducted by ASID during the last year, the majority of interior designers surveyed believed that two of the top trends affecting the practice of interior design include increased use of social media for advertising their business and for customer engagement.
At ASID, we’ve experienced this evolving landscape firsthand. Over the last year, we’ve achieved over 7.5 million impressions through our social media platforms with a more than 100,000 opting in to follow our conversations. Enabling us to do far more for far less, these technological tools are providing the real-time ability to advance new thinking and participate in important dialogues.
connecting the dots
We all know that the impact of design can be life-changing. Yet there are still those unable to access the vision and the expertise that could transform their worlds. Technology is helping change that.
For example, 1+, the largest pro bono design marketplace in the world, connects nonprofits with interior design and architectural firms to work collaboratively to address space needs. Creating these linkages online enables both designers and worthy organizations to make dreams a reality.
embracing tomorrow
Perhaps nobody is more quickly leveraging the power of technology than today’s design students. It’s not surprising. Millennials have a more positive view of how technology is affecting their lives than any other generation. According to a Nielsen study, more than 74 percent feel technology makes their lives easier, a belief that will no doubt be evident in ASID’s upcoming National Student Summit, which takes place February 26-28, 2016, at the Savannah College of Art and Design.
With a different attitude about and fluency with these new platforms and tools, today’s young designers are dramatically reshaping how the industry shares information and thinks about design solutions.
Technology’s impact on design has already been transformative and will, without question, continue to grow in the coming years. Rather than avoid it, or hesitate, we must embrace the empowering opportunities technology can provide.
Sandy Gordon, FASID, LEED AP, is the chair of the Board of Directors for the American Society of Interior Designers, and principal of SGI Interiors in Madison, Wisc. Learn more about ASID at asid.org.