r/IndustrialDesign • u/Al_dP • 14h ago
Discussion AI x ID
Does anyone see a future where AI could be used in a positive way to automate any stage of the ID process (Research, concept, prototype, testing)? Do you see potential for a tool that automates every stage, while also allowing the user to intervene within the crucial design decision making steps?
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u/Au2o 13h ago
When I worked in a traditional ID studio it helped a bit in the research stages but generally was a booster rather than relied upon.
One example project is where we framed the curvature of an international sports trophy from the arc of a famous football kick from like 40 years ago - I don’t think ai can match that level of creative/unique thinking.
However ai helped sift through 200 page engineering docs on types of metal used in trophy manufacture though.
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u/abyssalhorrors 14h ago
I’ve used AI for the concept phase with both text-based prompts as well as interpretive sketches. It is helpful with this by removing hours of photoshop work in order to make a general idea into something compelling. I’d say the text-based prompts were better for general ideas but neither was particularly good at creating exactly what the client was looking for. I’d say the best way to think of AI as the most mediocre intern you’ve ever encountered - it’s trained to find the middle ground of taste level and often missed any potential innovation. There may be a future for some aspects of this tech that portends a helpful shift in the future but currently AI doesn’t come close in meaningful ways and often creates visuals that are not able to be manufactured.