So, what’s the future of a designer looking like?

HEY HEY HEY there!

It has been far too long since my last post, but we’ve been so busy, unfortunately, my blog has taken a backseat. I never thought I would be this busy this fast, but it’s amazing!!! And even better, my clients are pushing me to develop things that you aren’t seeing done. I cannot wait until more of our projects are completed early next year to share them with you all!

I am always reading articles on trends, and what is coming in the future, and what has reached its climax. I came across a great article from Architectural Digest delving into what the future of an interior designer will look like 10 years from now. Three years ago, back when I ran the Trends and Research Program at my corporate design job, I gave a presentation on the future of the digital world and its impacts on our lives. I discussed how we were going to be experiencing more of our daily lives via VR from a fashion and interior design perspective—- not just to play games against people around the world. It looks like AD is now saying the same thing—— so, how does that impact designers? How does that impact the design process?

Back when I worked in the design agency world, we used to offer our clients a VR experience of their proposed design— whether it be a hotel, corporate office, retail store experience, or whatever we were working on at the time. Sometimes clients felt it worthy, other times there was not enough detail to really experience the space and understand the end result. Technology and speed to produce this have only gotten exponentially better, now proving to be unbelievably useful. Well-known retailers love using VR to be able to test end-user feedback before investing large amounts of money into a new design concept. Since I am newer to residential, I am not sure if this was common 8-ish years ago like it was in commercial, but it’s looking like 10 years from now (2031), that will be the norm for the majority of interior design projects. And this experience will even be offered by most manufacturers as well, to be able to visualize what you are about to buy placed inside your own home. How does this sound to you all? Do you like the idea of being able to virtually walk through your proposed design before buying into everything? Designers, does this change your design process and approach?

On the flip side, I am still very convinced that it will become very common for people to hire someone to design their own virtual reality worlds and never translate the design into a physically experienced space. The virtual world that needs to be designed can span into so many different aspects like virtual parties, business meetings, weddings, and experiences—- all in your own personal VR world with people all over the globe.

So, will the longer future of my business be primarily designing digital experiences, or will the world still want to be able to actually touch and feel their dream home?

And please take a look at my latest projects—- completed and in the works! We have five good ones wrapping up by the end of April that I cannot wait to see completed!!!!! Happy early Holidays!

xoxo—Ann