Similar to every other industry, the interior design industry is ever-evolving and embracing newer ideas and technology every day. While human creativity and imagination remain at the core, technology is making the entire process simpler, easier, and more concrete for designers and consumers alike.
So, where does the past blend with our present, and what does the future look like? Let’s find out!
What Changed with the Integration of Technology?
The interior designing process was a lot different a few years ago. First, a client and the designer would discuss the vision. Then, the client would be shown a number of coloured and hand-drawn rendering samples of the plan. The client would go through the material samples and examine them closely just to find a palette that both the interior designer and the client were comfortable with. All these physical steps made the process dreary and time-consuming.
The integration of technology changed all of that. The recent advancements in 3D architectural visualisation and 3D rendering did not take away any of the aesthetics of the hand-drawn process but only made it faster and more efficient.
Suppose you don’t like the bright red colour of the curtains? It can be soothing blue in a matter of seconds! Sounds pretty cool, right?
In the early 2000s, aa new element entered the realm of interior design. It was the new 3D AutoCAD software. It was the real game-changer. In fact, AutoCAD is the basis of all 3D rendering software that we know of today.
Designers now love the flexibility that the 3D rendering software has made possible. Clients, too, love being able to get hands-on with a design, to explore choices, and discuss their fabulous new home interiors with the designers. Even getting a few opinions from friends and family can be achieved by the click of a button.
The Future of 3D Interior Design
With all this in mind, take a look at how 3D interior design is evolving. Let’s see how it will look like in the near future.
3D Virtual Visualisation Saves Time
While the process of creating a 3D model of the interiors is almost equally time-consuming as its traditional alternative, changes in the model can be done faster. A mere dragging and dropping of a tool can completely transform the look.
3D rendering software has a lot of libraries of textures, furniture, glazing treatments, lighting, and plumbing fixtures, and even moulding profiles for interior designers to use on the go, to bring a great architectural masterpiece.
3D Rendering Shortens the Feedback Loop
The first meeting of a customer with the interior designer is all about understanding the vision and preferences of the customer for a particular project. Next, it needs to be translated into the design. Before technology played a key role, it was all about hand-drawn design samples. Every time a customer suggested a change or shared any feedback, the design needed to be created from scratch once more.
3D designing has changed all of that!
The concept of 3D rendering has really opened a wonderful channel of communication for the consumer. 3D simulations give a near life-like experience to customers, and the best part is that it can be accessed from anywhere. Sitting even miles away, clients can get to witness the design of their entire home with all the details.
With some tech knowledge, they might be able to make a few changes or suggestions here and there as well.
3D Printing Can Bring Ideas to Life
In the early years of 3D printing, it was incredibly expensive and the mechanism was also not readily available. However, things have changed today. It is easy to 3D-print architectural designs in a cost-effective manner.
With this technique, interior designers can create anything in miniature form. This also enables the clients to visualise what the design will look like in real life. While this process still needs a lot of refinement to become mainstream, the potential it offers is truly endless.
The Virtual Reality Experience
Virtual Reality (VR) is a growing trend that has already planted its seed in many industries. And gladly, interior design is one of those industries. It can be said that VR is reshaping the interior design industry from its basics.
Clients can now actually walk through the design models created by the designers and almost get a real feel of the living spaces that they could achieve. They can get a better sense of scale and detailings, and even test out numerous designs on their own with a simple tap of a button.
Although VR is not too developed and commonplace yet, Augmented Reality (AR) offers an even more cost-effective way out. With AR, interior designers get to blend the virtual and the real world by overlaying virtual elements on top of physical features. For the consumers, it’s equally interactive and engaging.
With the integration of technology, only the sky is the limit for anyone looking to get their home designed to suit their fancy visions. When we talk about technology, we have to admit that it has completely transformed the design industry in the past decade.
Yet, we must admit that there is a lot of scope for development even today. Be it 3D printing or AR or VR, the core technology is there, but the cost-effectiveness and availability of these must improve. And, they will, for sure.
So, the future of technology integration in interior designing looks very bright. Even at Hipcouch, we are embracing the changes and contributing to the developments. Email us now to get a design consultation over a video call!