The Future of Design & Rendering According to AI
So what does ChatGPT think the next 5 years will hold for interior design, 3D modeling, and rendering? I asked it pointblank, and below I share what it predicts along with my insight and opinions.
Key Takeaways:
- AI-driven design tools and smart technology will become essential, enhancing creativity, efficiency, and client satisfaction by offering personalized, data-driven insights and immersive experiences.
- The focus will shift towards sustainable practices and materials, with a growing demand for personalized, eco-friendly designs that reflect individual tastes and lifestyles.
- Photorealistic rendering will be the standard, with cloud-based collaboration tools enabling real-time design updates and seamless communication across global teams.
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Table of Contents
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1. AI-Driven Design
ChatGPT: “AI is already making waves in interior design, and this trend is only going to grow. Tools like ChatGPT and MidJourney are just the beginning. Imagine AI that can instantly generate fully furnished 3D spaces based on a few input parameters, predict design trends, and offer suggestions that balance aesthetics with functionality. Designers will increasingly collaborate with AI to optimize layouts, choose materials, and even predict how designs will age over time.”
My Take: AI will play a big part of how we design, and also what tools are available directly to consumers to use. I envision that brands will have their own AI design services, similar to how they have their current design services (staffed by humans). But for us designers, I envision AI-driven tools to help us design better, especially with SketchUp, 3D model creation (think furniture pieces built by submitting a URL or product picture), and with rendering.
2. Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR)
ChatGPT: “VR and AR will move from being cool extras to essential tools. Clients will expect immersive experiences where they can “walk through” their future homes or spaces before a single piece of furniture is ordered. This will not only enhance client satisfaction but also allow designers to spot potential issues early in the process. AR, in particular, will enable real-time visualizations in the physical space, allowing for adjustments on the fly during site visits.”
My Take: Could not agree more with this. I think AR/VR adoption in the next 5 years will explode and be VERY commonplace in the design industry. They are such powerful visualization tools and once consumers get a taste of what it can do with respect to design/renovations/new-builds, they won’t go back. If you are not modeling in 3D yet, you need to start asap!
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3. Sustainability Integration
ChatGPT: “Sustainability is more than just a trend; it’s becoming a necessity. In the next five years, we’ll see 3D modeling and rendering software incorporating real-time data on sustainable materials, energy consumption, and carbon footprints. Designers will have the tools to create not just beautiful spaces, but also environmentally responsible ones. Clients will likely start demanding these insights as standard practice.”
My Take: While I think this is true, I don’t think this will apply to everyone. I see this as being either geolocational (think California) or client-based. For the majority of residential design and construction, I don’t see sustainability being more than a trend.
4. Cloud-Based Collaboration
ChatGPT: “The shift to cloud-based platforms will accelerate. Designers, architects, and clients will work together in real time, no matter where they are in the world. This will streamline workflows, reduce errors, and foster a more collaborative approach to projects. 3D models and renders will be accessible from any device, and updates will be instantaneous, making the design process more dynamic and fluid.”
My Take: I absolutely agree with this. We are already starting to see this with the introduction of Trimble Connect in SketchUp, which allows you to save your model to their cloud and share it (via a link) with a client, who can use the SketchUp web application to navigate through the model. We are also seeing this with Chaos (makers of V-Ray) with their Collaboration tool, which has been in BETA for over a year. But collaboration will become more seamless and the friction that is there now will dissipate. And get better with AR/VR tech!
5. Photorealistic Rendering as the Norm
ChatGPT: “As rendering technology advances, photorealistic renders will become the baseline expectation. V-Ray and other rendering engines will continue to push the boundaries, making it difficult to distinguish between renders and real photos. This will allow clients to have a clearer vision of the final product and reduce the gap between expectations and reality.”
My Take: Honestly, I think this is happening NOW. Photorealistic rendering is the norm, and designers that don’t provide these renders to clients will eventually fade, which is why it’s so important to get on the rendering bandwagon now! I think the next big trend in rendering will be with AR/VR technology, where the client can put on a headset like the Apple Vision Pro and be totally immersed in a photorealistic, virtual environment and can navigate, make real-time material swaps and edits, experience different floorplans virtually, and more!
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6. Customization and Personalization
ChatGPT: “With the aid of AI and advanced 3D modeling tools, the future will see a rise in hyper-personalized spaces. Clients will expect designs tailored not just to their tastes but to their unique needs and lifestyles. AI might even predict future needs based on lifestyle data, ensuring that spaces are as functional in ten years as they are today.”
My Take: I think AI and it’s search capabilities will allow us to find more designs, furniture pieces, decor, artwork, etc. that are tailored to individual clients.
7. AI-Assisted Learning and Skill Development
ChatGPT: “For professionals in the field, continuous learning will be crucial. AI will play a big role in skill development, offering personalized learning paths, instant feedback on design choices, and even one-on-one mentoring through virtual assistants. This will make it easier for designers to stay ahead of trends and continuously improve their craft.”
My Take: This is a tough one for me – AI could be trained and create a course on, let’s say, SketchUp. But at the end of the day, I think people want to learn from other people and feel apart of a “human” community. Humans are social beings, and learning is a concept that I feel we humans want to learn from other humans, especially when the instructor is an expert in the field and has social proof to backup their teachings.
Conclusion
ChatGPT: “In summary, the next five years are set to transform interior design, 3D modeling, and rendering into even more sophisticated, client-centric, and technologically integrated fields. The lines between the physical and digital worlds will blur further, and the possibilities for creativity and innovation will be practically limitless. Exciting times ahead!”
My Take: There is no doubt in my mind that AI will revolutionize the entire design industry. The important thing to ensure you do now is to learn as much as you can on AI, 3D modeling, and client visualization tools such renders, animated renders, augmented reality, and virtual reality. If you are not designing in 3D yet, or if you are using outdated 3D modeling tools or services, it’s time to step up your game!
Frequently Asked Questions
AI will enhance the role of interior designers by streamlining processes and providing data-driven insights. Designers will use AI to generate ideas, optimize layouts, and personalize designs based on client preferences. However, the creative and human aspects of design—like understanding client emotions and crafting unique, meaningful spaces—will remain central to the designer's role.
While photorealistic rendering will become the norm, it won't completely replace physical prototypes. Renders will allow clients to visualize designs with incredible accuracy, reducing the need for physical samples. However, for certain projects, particularly those involving new materials or unconventional designs, physical prototypes may still be necessary to ensure accuracy and client satisfaction.
Cloud-based collaboration allows design teams to work together in real-time, regardless of location. This means quicker decision-making, reduced errors, and a more cohesive design process. It also enables seamless updates and instant sharing of 3D models and renders with clients, improving communication and overall project efficiency.
materials, energy-efficient systems, and sustainable practices. Designers will need to stay informed about the latest sustainable products and incorporate them into their projects. Clients will increasingly demand transparency in the sourcing and environmental impact of materials used in their designs.
Virtual and augmented reality will play a significant role in helping clients visualize and interact with their spaces before construction begins. VR will allow clients to "walk through" their designs in a fully immersive environment, while AR will enable real-time visualizations within the actual physical space. This technology will help bridge the gap between concept and reality, leading to more informed decisions and higher client satisfaction.
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