Introduction
Technology has been pushing mankind forward ever since its advent in the form of the first primitive tools. As new tools became invented or more sophisticated, many spheres of human life changed. Technologically induced change is a continuous process that needs constant revision and assessment. The sphere of design has also been changing, and tools have been influencing this area of human activity every step of the way. The present time also needs assessment as many new technological inventions in the field arrived. A large number of researchers dedicated their studies to technology in general, but since this research focuses on design, only the data on technologies applicable in design would be considered. A review of the latest scientific works about new tools of design could provide an insight into the nature of the impact they make on the industry. The research question is, therefore, as follows: Is the impact of technology on the design industry is positive?
Literature Review
The design is a diverse sphere with many technologies affecting its domains. Most of the research in the sphere of design seems to be concentrated on reviewing a certain technology rather than inspecting the global impact of the collective concept. In addition, implementation is often studied in some of the areas of design such as web design, industrial design, and graphic design, and so on. However, through these specific cases, one can, in fact, inductively grasp the situation that the design as a major area of human creative activity is living within the current moment. Therefore, this literature review will focus on studying the impact of certain technology types in an aspiration to understand how they collectively influence the industry on the whole.
3D Printing
3D printing is relatively not a new technology per se. It was first invented in the 1980s but became popular in 2010-12 (Zhang 2013). The problem of the technology for use in design was, and according to the researcher, still is not yet mature. 3D printers have a variety of practical problems such as their capabilities and speed. In comparison with 3D modeling on a computer, the process of creating a real-life model could take days depending on the complexity of the project. It is not always convenient for industrial designers.
However, Zhang (2013) notes, that there is also a great volume of possibilities. Since modern 3D printers work with a variety of materials and build complex shapes, they can be used not only for prototyping and preliminary modeling. 3D printers could also be used for designing and creating tools and finished products. The prototypes could be made functional in order for a designer to present them to a customer in real life and have feedback on an almost finished project. Zhang (2013) states that is rather convenient for designers themselves as they could save the time for explanations and tailor the project in accordance with the customer’s wishes with decreased costs.
According to Verner and Merksamer (2015), the technology could also be the educational application of design. The term ‘visual literacy’ they use is a part of what makes a designer a good professional. Their research confirms that 3D printing could help develop it in, students. The researchers exemplify that by introducing a 3d printer to the college lab for modeling and design. According to the results, in 60% of cases, it helped students learn Computer-Aided Design and acquire an important understanding of the permanence of their design decisions as soon as they become implemented in real life (Verner & Merksamer 2015). Through the time and money spent on printing a model of what one designs on a computer where everything seems free, they begin to understand the consequences of their choices and the significance of the design itself (Verner & Merksamer 2015). The researchers also find another side to this process. Students and professionals could use 3d modeling to work out possible inconsistencies of their design at a relatively cost.
Zhang bases his assumptions on what can evidently be seen in design studious around the world, yet he provides no actual proof for his words. No consistent data is also analyzed, except for occasional citation of a report, or a historical article. The quality of evidence is rather low, yet the thought process is quite clear and logical. Verner and Merksamer (2015) base their research insights on data recovered from an educational experiment in a college. The sample size was not stated, which partly undermines the validity of the research data. Yet the research provides a look at design and technology from a different perspective, an educational one.
Therefore, it becomes clear that even though the technology is not yet perfect in its every aspect, its positive influence on design is rather substantial. It can both be a tool for educating designers (mostly industrial, yet others as well) and enhancing the workflow of professionals. The latter is achieved by adding another layer of safety to the design process.
Artificial Intelligence
A valuable insight into how technologies penetrate the world of design and manipulate it provides the research by Chen (2016). The author studies artificial intelligence (AI) in the context of the web design of a shopping platform. He argues that AIs became significantly smarter nowadays which dictates their elevated usefulness for the benefit of human goals. Over the years the technology is reported to have changed the perception of the visual language as perceived by humans. AI could improve the visible attractiveness of the website, its usability, and provide a broad scope analysis of the platform to reveal its strong and weak spots (Chen 2016). This is evidenced by the sample of 50 students who undertook a test that documented their impression after using the website (a shopping platform) designed with the assistance of an AI. An average score was 8.5. Since the students are most likely knowledgeable about similar online-trading platforms such as Amazon, they have a model for comparison, which speaks to the non-isolated nature of the test.
Milgrom and Tadelis (2018) argue, for instance, that AI has been helping to improve the design for a long time. The researchers focus on the sphere of trading websites’ design, transactions, and their perception by the user. This question was researched by several other intellectuals, and they revealed a positive correlation between the number of messages with a negative connotation and customer dissatisfaction. An AI in that process helped trace this information and applied a filter for negative words. The design of informational channels has become a priority in the setting of online trading and, consequently, in the design of such trading platforms. The study of Milgrom and Tadelis (2018) once again proved that wording and language can be crucial for the user and provided an AI tool that can ease the burden of a designer filtering the negative words that are considered negative for a particular audience. This could potentially be used in other websites and analysis of their audience.
It appears that AI has a variety of applications. The literature provides the opinion of experts on the matter and experimental data that reinforces that assumption. In particular, for web design, AI could rather be a blessing. Milgrom and Tadelis (2018) notice that it could be costly to apply this method in design as an AI requires maintenance and development. Both Chen, Milgrom, and Tadelis agree that the design industry is pushed forward through the extension of the use of AIs. Also, they note that this technology is also underdeveloped and still has a great potential that, as time progresses, will be used to the full extent. Therefore, in this regard, AI serves to the benefit of the design.
Computers
The computer has been a major tool that revolutionized the sphere of design, marking a digital era in it. It created the concept of ‘digital design,’ and the development of computer technical capabilities has been shaping the content of this concept. Cao (2014) devoted his research to the analysis of the impact computer technology had on the visual art of lighting space for architectural needs. It is purely a design field of expertise. Therefore, the article is of particular significance to this study. According to Cao (2014), when computers emerged, they radically changed the human mind about the stages of creating a design. Normally, the process goes through several stages such as an idea, planning, confirmation, sketching, re-confirmation or modification, and creation itself. Some of the more complicated works require simulation that has been greatly enhanced by the usage of computers and their calculation powers (Cao 2014).
Cao (2014) exemplifies this process by the use of 3Dmax software that allows designers or architects to model the behavior of whatever form and shape they are created and how it would look like under different lighting. The use of advanced lighting features such as floodlights and spotlights present in the later versions of the program allows a realistic and more detailed outlook of the final design product. In comparison with the new illumination technology, ECOTECT, building lighting becomes even more realistic. The author draws a conclusion that the use of this technology enlarges the designer’s potential to check and double-check his work for excellence.
Another example of how computers and the software developed for them influences the design is a combination of software solutions with visitor information requirements. This topic is researched by Wang and Hoa (2013). The two intellectuals initially assume that per se, the computer technology, software, or programming languages such as CMS, SQL, PHP, could only be tools and without clear guidance or information, they cannot let a web designer create a good website. A designer should know his target audience and plan the usage of developing tools and software accordingly. The main idea is to tailor the website in accordance with the user’s typical behavior through the employment of the same technologies he or she is used to (Wang & Hoa 2013).
Another Important insight into the way computers can influence the design practice is offered by Liu (2017). He has researched the patterns that play the most vital role in the perception of a website by the customer or user. He found out that images, their color scheme, layout, and other crucial parameters could be tasked to a machine provided it is taught some basic principles of harmonious correlation of these characteristics. Experimentally, Liu (2017) reached a conclusion that it is not only possible but takes an algorithm lesser time to do that. However, basic information needs to be provided. The structural and systematic relationships known to the program can help decrease the time needed for essential design time-consuming operations.
According to the researchers cited above in this section, it appears, that computers have been having a great impact on the field of design. With their emergence and that of the Internet, its use already seems like a prerequisite for any design. However, Wang and Hoa (2013) note that only a human can use them as tools and he or she is necessary to have the necessary information. The perception of speed, convenience, the creation of design – all of it has changed, and it is evidenced that it is for the better.
Virtual Reality
A next-generation technology that is also able to change design is virtual reality. Wei-wen (2015) considers it as one of the greatest computer experiences that will shape the world. The author studies Virtual reality in its application to graphic design discussing how it could be applied in the future. The general assumption upon which the research is built is that people would use the technology more often for it to be considered an interesting niche for graphic design (Wei-wen 2015). The major application for design in VR would be an advertisement. People passing billboards will be expected to see animated and catchy sights. It could be in 3D and 2D space. The variation and customizability is the key aspect that the real world cannot always provide when it comes to urban city design. According to Wei-wen (2015), VR could change that because it has the capacity to replace an object in the projected environmental layer as the user sees it fit. This means he or she could design the city for themselves.
Yet the sheer idea is fascinating and thrilling, the author provides little ideas on how and when it is going to be achieved. He mentions, on the other hand, that the technology has only recently been introduced and hasn’t been tested in that capacity extensively. Overall, it appears that virtual reality has to develop more before it could, in fact, shape the future of design and change it for the better. Now it does not have the popularity and costs too much.
Conclusion
The above-mentioned body of research indicates that technologies can positively influence design. That positive influence can be witnessed through the use of 3d printing that can allow saving time, and provide a ready product within hours from designing it. In terms of artificial intelligence, it could be trained to perform analysis and assessment of near-ready designs and create templates tailored according to customers’ profiles. Computers could provide assistance with an array of tasks, saving time and effort for calculation and simulation. Virtual reality is one of the newest technologies and is still vague on the prospects for design. In general, the influence of technology on design seems underresearched, as most of the studies concentrate on particular areas of design. The gaps may include the depth of impact and the assessment of the negative influence of technology on design or its spheres. The latter could become an area for further study.
Reference List
Cao, Y 2014, Analysis and application of computer technology on architectural space lighting visual design, in Computer engineering and networking, Springer, Cham, pp. 549-558.
Chen, D 2016, Research on the application of artificial intelligence technology in the visual communication design of shopping platform, Journal of Residuals Science & Technology, vol.13, no. 5, pp. 119-126.
Liu, K 2017, Research on computer image processing technology in web design based on visual communication, Revista de la Facultad de IngenierÃa, vol. 32, no. 11, pp. 90-95.
Milgrom, PR & Tadelis, S 2018, How artificial intelligence and machine learning can impact market design, National Bureau of Economic Research, New York.
Verner, I & Merksamer, A 2015, Digital design and 3D printing in technology teacher education, Procedia CIRP, vol. 36, pp.182-186.
Wang, SL & Hoa, VT, 2013, An application of software technology towards an effective web design, International Journal of Engineering and Technology, vol. 5, no. 2, p.325-330.
Wei-wen, H 2015, ‘Analysis on the application of the virtual reality technology in the graphic design’, In International conference on automation, mechanical control and computational engineering: proceedings of a conference. Changsha, China, pp. 289-292.
Zhang, L 2013, Impact of 3D printing technology on the development of the industrial design, Applied Mechanics and Materials vol. 437, pp. 956-960.
Zhong, W 2015, ‘Computer digital color technology in the application of graphic design’, In First international conference on information sciences, machinery, materials and energy: proceedings of a conference, Chongqing, China, pp. 2097-2100.