Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming design with updates happening at a lightning-fast speed. From tools that streamline the daily grind to tech that pushes creative boundaries, AI is giving designers a new tool in their arsenal. 

Designers are now creating custom ChatGPTs that understand their style, workflow, and preferred communication method, said Jenna Gaidusek, a leading interior designer and AI advocate. You can now train an AI model to handle your most repetitive tasks — drafting client emails, managing projects, or creating detailed design proposals. Setting up a custom ChatGPT can be simple.

“People think it’s going to be really techy and daunting, but you can build these in less than five minutes,” said Gaidusek. “Once you’re in ChatGPT, you simply upload your documents and give instructions like you’re training a new employee. It’ll read your materials and understand your brand, so it provides responses that feel more tailored and accurate.”

Carlissa Montoya, owner/designer with CM Closet Design/EncoreGarage San Antonio, started using AI two years ago and agrees with Gaidusek on the use of the tech to streamline workflow. “For my business, I use it to create processes for sales and organization,” she said. “I use it constantly for marketing and customer service."

Examples of chats generated include everything from holiday marketing campaign taglines to a 4-week closet design training.
While these tools can save time, data privacy should be a consideration, Gaidusek advised. “There are privacy settings that prevent your data from being used to train the broader system, which is definitely worth toggling on.”

AI design tools
AI is now helping designers turn images into dynamic video clips. You can guide your clients through a virtual walkthrough of their future space, all generated from a single image. 

Also, tools like MidJourney allow designers to generate images from simple text prompts. These tools are getting smarter and more accurate every day, reducing errors and delivering high-quality visuals.

“AI-generated images are becoming more realistic and less weird,” Gaidusek said with a laugh. “We’re seeing fewer odd details and more control over the final product, which is really exciting for designers.”

Jenna Shock, principal designer MSD at Inspired Closets Pittsburgh and vice president of ACSP, has also dabbled with AI using IMG AI Art Generator.

“Jenna Gaidusek’s talk at Closet Con inspired me to explore AI-generating art tools,” she said. “I have yet to bring it into my process but have experimented with that specific platform to see what it can do.”

“I see it being helpful to throw an idea out there that I might not have done before and get a concept of what it could look like.”

Legal issues
The use of AI-generated art has sparked legal debates around copyright protection, particularly whether AI-created works can be copyrighted, as copyright law traditionally protects human authorship. Various published articles highlight these concerns, with some U.S. states considering legislation that addresses transparency and accountability in AI-created content. 

Globally, the regulatory landscape is also complex, with countries balancing innovation and legal protections. A key case reported by Reuters involves Stability AI and Midjourney, who are facing lawsuits from artists alleging unauthorized use of their works to train AI models. This case and others underscore the ongoing struggle to adapt legal frameworks to the challenges posed by AI advancements.

To learn more about AI design tools, view a replay of the webinar "Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Design" with Gaidusek.