How Technology Has Changed the Design Industry

The discussion of technology in design comes back to the old issue of man v. machine.  I, for one, believe that the changes taking place in our industry have made new technology critical to our future as designers.

This new world of technology is, and will be, totally integrated into the global world of architecture, interiors and product design.

The volume of information available on the internet is unprecedented. It is a great support to the practice of architecture, interiors and project design.  With the speed at which reliable information can be accessed, time on research is now done in a fraction of the time originally spent.

For example, I’m planning on building a modular house in Quebec, so I used Google and within seconds found information about modular construction and issues related to solar energy and new materials.  This is intelligence!

As we hurtle into this 21st century, it is clear that technology has created a global platform for sharing information.  The design world is more informed than ever about alternative fuel sources such as solar and bio fuel, modular and rammed earth construction, as well as other cutting edge areas of study that improve and inform the choices designers and architects make.
     
With all of the advantages technology offers, I still firmly believe that the richness of our lives will always come from our hearts and minds.  Good design will remain critical.  We will still be sitting on upholstered furniture and covering our walls but growing trends such as modular architecture will help usher in a new era of clarity and simplicity.