AI & design-II
👋🏼
AI won’t take our jobs, would it?
The industrial design field is undergoing a major transformation, thanks to artificial intelligence (AI). Designers today have access to tools that speed up workflows and unlock creativity in ways we couldn’t imagine a decade ago. AI is helping us across the board—from generating ideas to building prototypes, visualizing concepts, and even manufacturing.
Current State of AI in Industrial Design
Right now, AI tools are becoming staples in design studios. Programs like MidJourney, Vizcom, and Hypersketch have made it easier and faster to visualize and develop ideas. These tools are incredibly versatile and can:
Generate endless design options from just a few inputs.
Predict how a design might perform ergonomically or interact with users.
Optimize materials for sustainability.
Create advanced prototypes using generative design principles.
What’s exciting is how these tools free us up to focus on the bigger picture the creative and strategic aspects of design. They’ve also leveled the playing field, making cutting-edge tech accessible to new designers who might not have huge resources at their disposal.
Trends from 2022 and Beyond
1. AI as a Co-Creator
By 2022, AI wasn’t just a technical tool; it became a creative partner. Tools like DALL-E and MidJourney showed us how generative AI could create visual concepts in minutes, saving hours of manual work.
2. Generative Design Goes Mainstream
Generative design, where AI generates solutions based on constraints we set—became a standard. Platforms like Autodesk and Rhino adopted these features, making it easier to create designs optimized for manufacturing, functionality, and aesthetics.
3. Real-Time Feedback
Design tools began offering real-time feedback, letting us tweak and improve designs instantly. This meant shorter development cycles and fewer bottlenecks.
4. Increased Accessibility
Platforms like Vizcom and Hypersketch broke down barriers, giving designers tools with intuitive interfaces and real-time rendering capabilities. These tools proved you don’t need to be a tech wizard to produce high-quality work.
AI Tools Redefining Design Prototyping and Ideation
The reference video emphasizes how AI tools like MidJourney, Vizcom, and Hypersketch are reshaping traditional design workflows. Some key aspects include:
Faster Prototyping with Realism:
Vizcom and Hypersketch allow for real-time adjustments and incredibly realistic prototypes. This speed gives designers the flexibility to iterate ideas and test concepts without lengthy manual interventions.
Bridging Conceptual and Realistic Outputs:
MidJourney serves as a powerful bridge between imaginative concepts and presentation-ready visuals. For instance, a designer can go from an abstract text idea to a detailed concept image almost instantly, saving time for more strategic tasks.
Enhanced Collaboration:
Tools like these enable cross-functional teams to provide input earlier in the design process. They simplify communication by creating visuals that speak universally—reducing misinterpretations between designers, engineers, and stakeholders.
Advantages and Disadvantages of AI in Industrial Design
Advantages:
Efficiency: AI automates repetitive tasks, giving us more time to focus on creativity.
Accessibility: These tools make design approachable for everyone, even with limited resources.
Innovation: AI pushes boundaries by analyzing vast datasets and offering unique solutions.
Sustainability: It helps optimize materials and design processes, reducing waste.
Disadvantages:
Loss of Intuition: Relying too much on AI can dilute our instincts and craftsmanship.
Ethical Concerns: Questions around copyright and ownership of AI-generated content remain unresolved.
Skill Erosion: Traditional skills like sketching and hands-on modeling risk becoming obsolete.
Bias: AI tools can inadvertently perpetuate biases embedded in their training data.
Personal Reflections
As a designer, I’ve found AI tools to be game-changers. They spark creativity, save time, and allow me to explore ideas I might not have thought of on my own. But they’re not without their challenges. We need to be intentional about how we use them, ensuring they enhance not replace our human touch.
Design has always been about people. No matter how advanced AI becomes, it’s our responsibility to ensure the technology serves real human needs and values. The future is undeniably exciting, but it also requires us to stay grounded in our purpose as designers.
In the end, AI is a tool, not a substitute for creativity. If we approach it thoughtfully, it can help us design not just better products, but a better world.
What’s your take on AI in industrial design? Share your experiences with tools like MidJourney and Vizcom in the comments!
…so, if you have stuck around until now, I appreciate you and would love to hear your comments.
I am Amruta, an industrial designer building physical products and experiences in the field of healthcare, climate change and sustainability to make new technology, easily accessible. I love to talk about tech that impacts how we take care of our health and some disrupting processes. Thanks for visiting my website :)