Generative image AI tech is changing how we perceive the creative industry. Among the sectors experiencing this technological disruption are architecture and interior design. As we stand on the brink of this revolution, an interesting question arises: will AI replace interior designers?
"Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works, and with AI, we now think about how it learns and evolves." - Yves Béhar.
AI tools are evolving rapidly, with advanced algorithms simplifying tasks like creating layouts. But can a pixelated mind infuse emotion and individuality in its design? This article explores these questions and the potential of AI in interior design.
Exploring AI in interior design
AI offers tools that simplify certain design tasks, such as creating 2D layouts. These tools can make the design process faster and more efficient. For instance, tools such as OpenArt AI can quickly generate various layout options. The designer then chooses which layout best aligns with the client's needs.
The designer can also use AI tools like LeonardoAI or Midjourney to generate images. These images can help present design ideas to the client instead of 3D images, which may take time to create.
A good example is the header image above, generated with LeonardoAI. I asked the AI model to imagine a restaurant on an imaginary planet called Terminus. The design style is based on the TV series Foundation.
AI images are often visually appealing, depending on how good the image prompt is. Beyond text-to-image AI, designers can use other tools to provide personalised design services. These include Modsy and Havenly, which leverage the user's design needs.
The role of human creativity in interior design
While AI is prominent in the creative industry, there are some design aspects that machines cannot perform. Interior design is more than aesthetics. It is also psychology, culture, and the human experience. Human interior designers have an intrinsic ability to understand clients on an emotional level. A client might have a deep emotional connection to their living spaces. So, it's important to create an environment that resonates with that emotional bond.
Human intuition allows designers to tap into the emotional aspects of design, something AI cannot replicate.
A human designer will pick up on those subtle preferences and needs beyond data. They may observe a client's particular attachment to an object and choose to feature it as a centrepiece. An AI may not recognise the object's sentimental value and omit it completely. A client's cultural background and experiences also influence their style choices. A human designer can incorporate these aspects in ways that AI may not.
Moreover, a human designer can assess how a space looks, feels, and smells in the material world. This sensory experience can shape their design choices to influence emotional responses with elements like colour.
AI processes data to generate aesthetic images that often have little relation to clients' personal experiences. However, AI tools can help designers and clients analyse trends and design concepts they can build on.
Afterwards, they can integrate other aspects of the client's lifestyle beyond aesthetics. These include their social and cultural dynamics, personal habits, and ethical considerations.
For example, sustainability and biophilia are key societal values worldwide. While AI may provide aesthetic concepts that include biophilia, it lacks the moral framework to assess the sustainability implications of its design choices.
Building client relationships and flexibility to design changes are crucial for interior design. The interpersonal skills of listening, understanding, and negotiating are uniquely human elements.
How to use AI in interior design
Instead of replacing us, AI will augment our human creativity, making the technical aspects of design more efficient. The ability of AI tools to generate basic space layouts and high-quality interior images can speed up the design process.
For instance, we have a project where the client wants to design their apartment in the Japanese Wabi Sabi style. We use LeonardoAI to generate various images of a home in this style to get ideas for decorating the space. Within this process, we can experiment with different style variations by tweaking the prompts.
This process typically takes a couple of days, researching images on Pinterest, sketching, and producing CAD images. However, with AI, the process takes a couple of hours. We use AI to create initial concepts and predict the success of certain design choices. Then, we bring the human aspects - creativity, emotional, and experiential factors - to refine and personalise the design.
Interior design is traditionally perceived as costly, making it available to a minority. However, AI platforms like REimagineHome and Homestyler are making it affordable, allowing more people to design their homes. REimagineHome generates photorealistic images of interiors for users wanting to remodel or virtually stage their homes.
The platform offers paid plans for users at a fraction of what a human interior designer would cost. Similarly, Homestyler allows users to create 2D and 3D home layouts with decor items from real brands. Plus, it offers a community platform where users can share their designs with others for collaboration and inspiration.
While these tools may not provide the level of expertise and personalisation a professional designer would, they empower more people to create spaces they love.
Is AI the future of interior design?
The future of AI in interior design lies not in its domination of the industry, but in a collaboration with human talent. Instead of replacing human designers, AI will continue to play a prominent role in integrating creativity with technology. Emotional intelligence, adaptability, and creative storytelling are human qualities that AI cannot replicate in design. However, AI can enhance the design process by improving efficiency and providing tools that push our creative boundaries.
