Technology And The Design Process

Technology has enhanced the design process over the years, making it more efficient.

Whether it is architects, engineers or designers, professionals can improve their productivity and capability with computer-aided software and other programs.

The Pros

Computer programs can help a person develop their ideas faster and make them more complete.

Take architects, for example.

They can present 3D drawing of their concepts to clients, giving them a better idea of what the final product will look like.

Technology provides for a better client experience in the design world.

For instance, a designer could show their vision for a new office on the computer. The client could request a few changes and see them implemented immediately. If they don't like what they see, the designer could easily move things around until it suits the client. With this instantaneous production, the designer improves customer satisfaction while reducing delays and costs when a client must wait for the design to be in production to decide he doesn't like it.

Another benefit of today's technology is that it does some of the tasks for the designer. This allows them to focus on more important aspects of the project.

A project that used to take weeks can now be completed in days.

With the use of electronic transmission, files can be sent quickly to the different departments and everyone can be working on the various aspects of the process instead of waiting for each area to finish.

The Cons

With all of these benefits in using technology in design, can there be any disadvantages?

One of the concerns is the loss of creativity and individuality.

With a computer, you put in the same information and you get the same results every time. With a person doing the creative work, they may be inspired by something different on any given day.

The technical aspects may remain the same, such as the materials used, the size of the space and other components. However, the creativity present in the person doing the design might find one little change that makes all of the difference in the way a project looks.

As the following article looks at, when asking the question, do computers hurt the design process?, the answer often comes down to how they are used.

If they are utilized to assist a human creator, they can have enormous benefits. However, the concern for many is when they attempt to replace the human aspect of design.

People are creative beings and they respond to real creativity in design.

While computers can produce almost perfect results, they can never replace humans in creating design that inspires.

Computers are meant to do the work people don't want to do, the important but routine tasks that must be done for a project to be completed.

This leaves the designer with more free time to do what he or she loves best: design an awe-inspiring design that will impress the most particular client.

Paired together, computers and humans can make designs unlike anything that has been seen yet.

But you can't take the human aspect out of design if you want to inspire the world.