HOW WILL THE EMERGENCE OF AI IN THE WORLD OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN CHANGE THE TRAINING NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS?
Year: 2024
Editor: Grierson, Hilary; Bohemia, Erik; Buck, Lyndon
Author: Rodriguez-Ferradas, Maria Isabel; Cantós, Cristina; Viñeta, Loreto; Morer, Paz
Series: E&PDE
Institution: TECNUN - Universidad de Navarra, Spain
Page(s): 473 - 478
DOI number: 10.35199/EPDE.2024.80
ISBN: 978-1-912254-200
ISSN: 3005-4753
Abstract
It's evident that the year 2023 has seen the emergence of artificial intelligence in numerous professional settings, including the field of Industrial Design. Across all professional forums and associations of Industrial Designers, discussions are ongoing about this technology and how it will impact the professional practice of Industrial Design. Many professional designers and their teams are experimenting with the new tools that incorporate this technology, exploring their possibilities and analysing how their application can add value at different stages of their design process, considering the strengths and weaknesses of their teams. In the academic sphere, there has been a proliferation of publications in recent years exploring and mapping AI-based tools that can be applied in different stages of the design process. The reality is that many of these tools are still in the research and development phase, making it challenging to identify which ones will genuinely be implemented in professional practice. However, beyond the tools, what is actually happening in the day-to-day professional practice of these designers? What are the challenges that AI is creating for professional Industrial Designers? On the one hand, AI tools require a certain level of expertise and knowledge to use effectively. This can be a barrier for some designers who may not have the necessary skills or resources to use these tools. On the other hand, there is the market and the clients who are also aware of the transformation being brought about by AI. Their demand and requirements will also change as other professionals offer design processes incorporating AI tools. Consequently, what will happen with the training of future industrial designers? What new skill and capability needs arise from this revolution? What convergence is occurring between disciplines such as AI algorithm programming and industrial design? Will this new paradigm change the profile of the designer and the composition of design teams? This contribution focuses on the perspective of professional designers, who are the prospective employers of our students. These professionals at present, can provide a more realistic view of what is happening in professional practice and what profiles of young Industrial Designers can bring value to their teams and companies in the coming years. To achieve this, our team has conducted qualitative and quantitative research among industrial designers working in a wide variety of companies, studios, and design consultancies. Through questionnaires and the snowball technique, we have gathered feedback from of professionals in several European countries, identifying and understanding the main barriers and benefits of these AI tools, as well as the training needs perceived for the new generations of Industrial Designers. The conclusions of this work represent a significant starting point for the changes to be introduced in the curriculum of universities offering degrees in Industrial Design or Industrial Design Engineering. Furthermore, our conclusions can help identify opportunities for developing new AI tools specifically for the Industrial Design process, targeting the less covered phases of the design process.
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Product Design, professional designers, skills, curriculum of universities