Shifting sensibilities: AI and the return to timeless design.
It’s hardly a secret that the rise of AI means designers can work more efficiently than ever before. What may come as more of a surprise is the corresponding shift towards a greater emphasis on creativity and meaningful design thinking, with clients asking for designs that deliver longevity, rather than chasing trends.
While these shifting sensibilities may seem incongruent, as Arielle Ralph from A Date With Design explained in our recent panel conversation, they actually go hand-in-hand. While AI is accelerating parts of the design process, it also reinforces the value of unique human skills needed to make spaces that last longer and feel authentic.
Like many designers, Arielle uses AI throughout her practice to automate repetitive tasks and refine processes that don’t necessarily require creative input. This provides her with the mental bandwidth to focus more deeply on the creative process and forging interpersonal connections.
“Personally, I use AI primarily as a research, visualisation and productivity assistant rather than a design replacement,” Arielle said. “Researching products and materials, summarising meetings or client briefs and organising project information can all be done quickly, leaving more time to focus on designing spaces and engaging with clients.”
“It’s also hugely valuable for enhancing drawings. Often, I design a space in Revit or Archicad and establish the layout, material palette and overall design direction. I then bring it into Enscape or Lumion, and from there I might use an AI rendering program like Nano Banana to enhance lighting and refine styling elements. This process helps ensure the visual output aligns with the intended vision.”
AI enhances the design process, which is why I don’t necessarily see it reducing design fees. I see it increasing the value clients receive within those fees.
Arielle Ralph Co-Founder, A Date with Design
As Arielle notes, some designers are going well beyond the basics, using agentic AI to challenge ideas and prompt new ways of thinking. She discussed this with Rhiannon Lee from Atelier Intelligence Co as part of a recent conversation on A Date With Design.
“Rhiannon has taken the next step, creating a ‘virtual boardroom’ of AI agents. Rather than relying on a single AI prompt, she has developed specialised AI personas that act like members of a leadership team, each bringing different expertise and perspectives to a problem.
“She is using AI to challenge assumptions and expand her thinking. She isn’t replacing human decision-making, she is creating a framework that helps her ask better questions and create AI agents that leverage her own years of expertise.”
One of the greatest opportunities for AI is helping project teams analyse information earlier and identify potential challenges before construction begins. Designers, builders and clients all benefit when there is greater visibility around budgets, material availability, lead times and constructability.
“Early engagement between the designer, client and fitout team is critical because it allows real-world construction knowledge to inform the design from the start,” Arielle said.
The most successful projects combine technology with collaboration. AI can help process information and identify risks, but experienced builders and designers are still required to interpret that information and make informed decisions that balance vision, budget and buildability.
Arielle Ralph Co-Founder, A Date with Design
It goes without saying that AI is changing the way designers approach projects. But what does it mean for the client? According to Arielle, there is a simultaneous shift occurring in parallel with (and in response to) the rise of AI: a return to timeless design, which goes hand-in-hand with longevity.
“Rather than simply following whatever aesthetic trend happens to be popular right now, many clients are asking for spaces to be designed in such a way that they won’t need to invest in another major refurbishment in a few years’ time.
“They are increasingly interested in spaces that tell a more genuine story, while also reflecting their brand and creating a memorable experience. This doesn’t mean playing it safe or designing something generic; it means focusing on strong ideas, well-resolved details and materials that age gracefully.”
This isn’t just a sensible design approach – the impact on a business’s profitability can be significant. Factors including higher interest rates, lower consumer spending, and difficulty attracting investors, are all curtailing business growth.
“The fitout is often the single biggest investment a business will make. It seems inevitable that the cost of construction will continue to increase over time; we’re all acutely aware of factors such as international procurement becoming more difficult, and reliable trades being harder to find.”
“It’s no wonder so many clients are so keenly focused on creating an asset that will continue to perform for many years to come. It just makes good commercial sense.”
Hosted by interior designers and best friends Arielle Ralph and Jill Chilton, A Date With Design is a podcast, events platform and creative community celebrating the people, places and ideas shaping contemporary design culture today. Listen and watch on all your favourite streaming platforms. Arielle is also runs her own interior architecture business.
Banner image photo credit: Kelly Shove.
