Recently, at NeoCon, I had the privilege of leading a panel sponsored by IIDA that was part of IIDA’s Collective Design LIVE series. The panel’s topic was “The Future of Experience.” As a foresight practitioner and IIDA’s Futurist-in-Residence, I was thrilled to engage with some of the industry’s top minds on this relevant topic. As the discussion unfolded, it was clear that the interior design industry stands at a pivotal moment where experiences and storytelling are becoming more vital than ever to maintain relevance and foster deeper human connections. It’s what the clients and end users are asking for more and more. Here’s a summary of our enlightening conversation and the key takeaways that will shape the future of our practice.
Embracing Storytelling in Design
As I said, one of the central themes of our discussion was the importance of storytelling in interior design and product development. Creating spaces and products that tell a story and evoke emotions is crucial. By putting ourselves into the future, we can design spaces and products that not only meet the functional needs of users but also create memorable experiences that generate greater longevity of use and flexibility. This may seem like an easy task, but creating the right narrative can be challenging. Using external industry insights is one step to help break free from a narrative bias and understand a broader range of future experience possibilities.
Photo Credit: Elliot Mandel, courtesy of IIDA
Engaging the Senses
Another critical point we explored was designing with a focus on sensory engagement. Traditionally, interior design has concentrated on engaging the five primary senses: sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. However, there are more senses that we need to consider to create truly immersive experiences. Bob Weiss, Gensler’s Entertainment Leader, made this point in his earlier keynote. By tapping into a broader range of sensory experiences, we can design stories and experiences that are more enriching and captivating.
Generative AI in the Design Process
The iterative design development process was highlighted as an essential aspect of creating intentional experiences. Transparency in showing how designs and stories come to fruition can help clients understand and appreciate the depth of the design process. This transparency can also create alignment earlier in the design process. Generative AI and other advanced tools can assist the design process by offering new perspectives, generating ideas, and refining concepts. They enable designers to experiment with countless iterations quickly, leading to more innovative and thoughtful designs.
Community Engagement and Participation
Some of the most successful past project experiences that were created by the panel included participation from the community. Allowing for community participation in the design process not only fosters a sense of ownership but also ensures that the spaces and products we create align with the community's needs and desires. This participatory approach can lead to more inclusive and meaningful stories and experiences. It needs to be practiced daily by continuously asking ourselves, "What does this truly mean in the local context?" and engaging with the community to gather insights and feedback.
Neuroscience and Trust Building
Finally, we delved into the role of neuroscience in design, particularly in building community trust. In today’s world, where communities are often fractured due to disengagement or over-indexing engagement through digital platforms, creating spaces, experiences, and products that promote genuine human connections is crucial. Neuroscience offers insights into how environments influence emotions and behaviors, helping us design spaces that foster trust and collaboration. By understanding the neurological impacts of the experiences we create, we can create environments that strengthen community bonds and enhance overall well-being.
The future of experience in interior design lies in our ability to tell compelling stories, engage all the senses, leverage advanced technologies like generative AI for greater iterative power, involve communities in the design process, and build trust. By integrating these elements, we can create spaces that are not only functional but also deeply meaningful and human-centric. As we move forward, it is imperative that we continue to explore these dimensions to keep the interior design industry relevant and connected to the evolving needs of society.
