We have already stepped into the digital era where technology has made ingress into almost every arena. The world of design is no exception to it. As such, for the advancement of the industry as well as the betterment of its pursuers, it only makes sense to merge the best of both worlds, that is, technology and design.
No wonder, technology has worked to deeply transform the world of design. Right from ideation to client meetings and bringing ideas to life in the form of photo-driven representations, technology has seeped into every possible facet of design. We are in the times where if you need to get the interiors of your house done, you no longer have to rely on call basis verbal discussions. An easy way out is for the designer to take support from computer-aided design programs (CAD) to digitally display the ideas right in front of your eyes. This works as a win-win for both the designer and the client.
Technology and Design Go Hand-in-Hand
For the longest time, design was restricted to meeting individual preferences or coming up with creative anecdotes. No doubt, mobile phones and the internet were around, but it wasn’t as intense as it is today, wherein over 3 billion people own smartphones.
However, with the kind of shift we see today, designers now have the option to give a new edge to their endeavours by infusing technology in design.
Moreover, sustainability and the need to deal with environmental concerns like climate change are bigger reasons that demand the use of technology in design. For instance, while an interior designer has to focus on improving energy efficiency in the client’s house, a fashion designer has to work around a fabric that’s organic and recyclable. Achieving these goals is impossible in the absence of technology.
We, at Raffles Design International, Mumbai, one of the best design colleges in India, understand this and thus work consistently towards bridging this gap by introducing students to country-specific and outcome-oriented technologies. This is one reason why we allow our students to take a transfer to any institute in the Raffles Network. By studying at any of our 18 colleges spread across 16 cities and 10 countries, our students are sure to benefit in terms of both global design and technological knowledge.
Technologies that are Strengthening the Field of Design
- Augmented Reality:
It is not an easy task for a designer to pitch his/her idea to a client with merely a few plain visuals and some theory. At times, you may be on the same page as the client but may fail to convey the same, leading to the project slipping out of your hand. Here’s where augmented reality, also known as AR, can come to your rescue!
With the technology of AR, designers can help clients to better visualize the concepts. While many confuse augmented reality with virtual reality, the former has a lot to do with making digital impressions in the real world.
This digital content responds to the real-time changes in the user’s actual environment. No doubt, it helps the designer to make a better representation of design ideas.
- Virtual Reality:
Whether it is about collaborating with a fashion designer, product designer, or interior designer, no client would ever want to go wrong with their decisions. Many a time, they wish to experience the outcome beforehand to ascertain that they are handing over the reins to the right person.
This is where designers can turn to virtual reality or VR to meet client expectations. This is because VR stands out for providing immersive experiences. Studies suggest that in the days to come, virtual reality will act as a core of product design. In fact, traces of virtual reality have been witnessed in the healthcare sector as far as product designing goes.
Thus, it is important for designers to familiarize themselves with these technologies beforehand. At Raffles Design International, Mumbai, positioned among the best design colleges in India, we have ensured to expose each of our students from all the different verticals of design education at our institute to an apt mix of theory and practical know-how. The aim is to provide them with first-hand experience of keeping technology at the centre stage to add more vibrancy to their work.
- 3D Printing:
We all know that designing is a complicated and intricate process in itself. For the longest time, human intervention and touch ruled the world of design. However, rising client expectations and a corresponding need to speed up processes have led to designers turning to technological solutions such as 3D Printing.
As an upcoming designer, you need to know that 3D printing can help you design models in flat two days, which otherwise takes four to six weeks for completion with any technological intervention. Improved design to product timelines is one of the leading benefits of 3D Printing.
You might not be aware, but leading brands such as Nike, Nokia, and Iittala have already started delivering products that are designed and manufactured with the help of 3D Printing. After all, 3D Printing works as an excellent cost-effective bet. For instance, in very rare situations, the client approves the first design draft. This means the designer has to engage in trial-and-error multiple number of times. With 3D printing, the same becomes a pocket-friendly endeavour.
- IoT:
IoT, better known as the Internet of Things, has started making its presence felt in the world of design. IoT has to do with describing physical objects, which are often infused with software, sensors, and other similar technologies. It helps to connect and exchange information with devices and systems over the internet.
With IoT entering the realm of design, the world got to witness a major design revolution. Some of the most popular examples where IoT has done its magic on design are Google Glasses and Smartwatches. Of late, the technology is also being used to place invisible sensors on cloth fabric.
The progression has been such that IoT is working towards enabling interconnected apparels, which aim to perform functions, such as offering information about the apparel’s material, coming up with styling tips, and of course, the ability to trace it in case the product is lost.
At Raffles Design International, Mumbai, we firmly believe that such booming technologies like IoT have the potential to help our students explore various design horizons and reach new heights of success. This is why we always lay special emphasis on making our pupils aware as well as updated with the latest design technologies. This knowledge would come in handy to them whenever they step ahead towards their professional journey.
- Social Media:
Designers always remain on the lookout for new and trendy ideas. While a lot is derived from observation and the ability to think out of the box, research and information consumption is equally vital. This is where social media plays a central role in helping designers understand the ongoing trend.
For instance, a client may walk up to you and demand a certain level of customization. A great way of sourcing ideas is to surf social media to get a hint of the ongoing trends, add to it the kind of customization the client is seeking, and you will be in a good position to come up with multiple options for your client to choose from. Moreover, you get to play around with multiple monitoring and analytics tools that aid the designing process.
One glance through the above pointers, and it is very clear that to be a successful designer, irrespective of the stream you choose, you need to be well versed with the current technologies.
As one of the best design colleges in India, we, at Raffles Design International, Mumbai, help our students to work around these technologies right from the initial days with us so that they face no difficulty after stepping out in the professional world.
A Mix of Old School and New-School Resources is Necessary
Even though modern technology has found its way into the world of design, we cannot rule out the old school working. What we need to look out here is balance!
We all know the world has come closer, which has led to people working with global teams and striking contracts with global clients. Working with global clients means operating in two different time zones. Amidst this, it becomes difficult to invest human attention every time a client demand pops up. Here’s where digital files fill the gap.
Moreover, with technology, processes are shortened, and the outcome is delivered to the client before time. This allows the designer to move on to the next project without compromising on the quality and deliverables of the previous project.
While certain people are averse about technological integration with design, what they do not realize here is that the core of the working continues to remain the same. The ideation remains with the designer while technology touches upon the representation part. Thus, it’s safe to conclude that technology is influencing design in all the right ways!
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the Present and Future of Design
While many like to believe that Artificial Intelligence will take design under its wings in the future, the reality is that AI has already touched design in more than just one way. In fact, Artificial Intelligence is benefitting designers to the next level.
It is well understood that to be a successful designer, be it a fashion designer or visual communications designer, creativity is what is going to set you apart from your competitors.
In the absence of AI, a great deal of manual effort would be needed to be involved on the part of the designer. Even the smallest of tasks would be required to be taken care of by the designer, which might even limit the room for creative thinking. No doubt, a good number of hours and efforts would be lost in the process.
Artificial Intelligence plays a saviour in this area by acting as a virtual assistant to the designer, who, with the help of AI, can focus on major factors such as client satisfaction and unique design creation.
Furthermore, if you wish to become a successful designer, then you should be able to read your client’s preferences. Since you are not a mind reader, you can take assistance from AI. Hence, it won’t be wrong to say that AI provides designers with a pathway that helps them meet the intent of the clients.
Yet another added advantage of Artificial Intelligence is that it helps the designer to create multiple variants of a single pattern. For example, one pattern that is in accord with the client’s intent can be easily created in different colours and sub-types with the help of AI. This not only reduces the designer’s time but also provides clients with ample options.
The best part about using Artificial Intelligence in design is the humanized experience it offers! For instance, the popularity of the voice search feature is on the rise because people interact with the machine as if they are interacting with an actual human. The case is no different with respect to the design world. Clients are opening up to the idea of seeing AI as not a substitute for humans but more of a support to the designers aiding them to tap on the opportunity in the right way.
Technology is a Big Time Aid for the Budding as well as Established Designers!
There is no exaggeration in claiming that technology is adding convenience in all areas of our life. The situation is no different in the world of design.
Firstly, technology helps to instil compactness in the design process. Activities that used to take weeks and weeks altogether now take only a certain number of days, or just a few hours, at most times. Technology is thus helping the designers reduce the time lag while improving their productivity.
Personalization is another area where technology is helping designers to hit milestones. There are multiple tools that help designers to play with their ideas. This ultimately comes out in the form of final products that resonate pretty well with the client’s expectations.
Not to forget, technology is also helping to open up an array of facets associated with the field of design, thereby helping designers to touch upon areas that they have not visited before.
At Raffles Design International, Mumbai, one of the best design colleges in India, we firmly believe that technology is a powerful aid for budding as well as established designers. It can help strengthen their design instincts and add new wings of creativity to their talents. We have seen time and again that technology has helped the designers to work out such out-of-the-box ideas that would have been just not possible to give shape to.
This is the reason why we, at Raffles Design International, Mumbai, leave no stone unturned in making our students attain not just theoretical understanding of the design technologies but also deliver them with strong hands-on proficiency to make apt use of these technologies.
If you too wish to step into the world of design and explore the many technological upgrades that aid the process of designing, Raffles Design International, Mumbai, is where you should be heading to. Our international standard, industry-centric education programs in design will provide you with the platform to take your design stints to a global level of success!