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AI IN DESIGN: An Exclusive Conversation with Interior Designers Carolyn Fuller & Michelle Cozza

HSID Graduate Carolyn Fuller is an experienced interior designer with a global perspective, shaped by five years in Germany and a passion for timeless design. She combines creativity, analytical precision, and expertise in procurement to deliver thoughtful luxury residential spaces, prioritizing clear communication and collaboration.

How do you see AI shaping the future of interior design, both creatively and practically?

I think AI is going to revolutionize interior design. On the creative side, AI can help designers to start coming up with mood boards and general concepts or be used to help a client visual a specific design quicker than using computer aided design tools. It’s like having a super-powered design assistant, always coming up with fresh perspectives. Practically, AI can streamline so many aspects of our work. From automating tasks like client relations to helping us source sustainable materials, it’s going to make our jobs more efficient and sustainable in the long run.

Are there aspects of interior design where you think AI will never be able to replace human expertise? If so, what are they?

While AI is incredibly powerful, there are certain aspects of interior design that will always require human intuition and empathy. Understanding a client’s lifestyle, preferences, and emotional needs is crucial, and I don’t think AI can fully replicate that level of human connection.

What ethical considerations do you think designers should keep in mind when integrating AI into their work?

It’s important to use AI responsibly and ethically. We need to be mindful of data privacy, intellectual property rights, and the potential biases that can be embedded in AI algorithms.

Looking ahead, how do you envision AI contributing to sustainability and eco-conscious choices in design?

AI has the potential to revolutionize sustainable design. It can help us identify eco-friendly materials, optimize energy efficiency, and reduce waste. By using AI to analyze data and predict trends, we can create more sustainable and resilient spaces.

What advice would you give to designers who are curious but apprehensive about adopting AI into their process?

My advice is to start small and experiment with different AI tools. ChatGPT, Gemini and Midjourney are great places to start. Then play around with different prompts until you find ones that work for you. The most important thing is to embrace AI as a tool to enhance your creativity and efficiency and still have fun putting your unique touch into every project you work on.

Michelle Cozza, founder of Perigon Design, brings nearly 30 years of expertise in custom architecture and interior design. An architect and ASID member, she creates timeless, innovative spaces tailored to her clients. From PNW homes to a restored castle in Italy, Michelle’s work reflects a passion for collaboration and craftsmanship.

How do you see AI shaping the future of interior design, both creatively and practically?

I hope it doesn’t shape the future, but rather supports creative and practical innovation. I think AI should be a springboard, the spark of an idea, rather than a shortcut to the finished product that removes the individual from the process.

Are there aspects of interior design where you think AI will never be able to replace human expertise? If so, what are they?

Yes, I think that human expertise is always going to be necessary, both for the reasons the need for someone with the knowledge to critically look at and evaluate the results, and because, especially when designing for a client, the relationship with the client and the ability to understand what they want (even if they may not yet know themselves) and what will fit their needs, cannot be artificially generated. The human touch will always be needed to give context and meaning to a space or building.

What ethical considerations do you think designers should keep in mind when integrating AI into their work?

There are design-generative websites where one of the parameters is literally “in the design style of (insert designer name here)”. This is by nature design plagiarism. Again, the ethical picalls can be avoided by not using the available AI tools in that way, and being creative in specifying the parameters up front.

Looking ahead, how do you envision AI contributing to sustainability and eco-conscious choices in design?

This is where I am most excited about how AI can be useful! None of us can know all that is out there, or keep up with the latest innovations and knowledge, and we don’t know what we don’t know. AI can synthesize and summarize that vast available information, giving the opportunity to delve deeper into whatever sparks one’s curiosity or may apply to particular design goals.

What advice would you give to designers who are curious but apprehensive about adopting AI into their process?

I would say that just as a hand sketch can be interpreted differently by the designer or the client than was intended when drawn, leading to new ideas, play around with AI generated content to see what it sparks, but then really look critically at the “results” and use it as a starting, rather than end point.

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