AE Design's Andi Walter, Senior Lighting Designer, talk about the rapid transformation of the design process in December's issue of LD+A magazine from the Illuminating Engineering Society.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has rapidly evolved from science fiction to a powerful tool impacting industries, including lighting design. While AI tools like MidJourney, ChatGPT, and Revit plug-ins offer exciting opportunities to enhance workflows, save time, and create concept visuals, they also come with significant challenges. AI can’t replace human creativity, empathy, or expertise, nor can it fully grasp the technical and physical realities of lighting design.
Left: A project photo from AE Design's Infinite Labs Project. Right: An AI image generator's attempt to capture the same feeling, to mixed results.
Concept Development: AI tools can help visualize ideas quickly and iteratively, providing a starting point for custom fixtures and lighting concepts.
Bridging Communication Gaps: AI-generated visuals enable designers to communicate ideas effectively, fostering collaboration and discussion.
Technical Limitations: AI struggles with industry-specific terms and often generates unrealistic visuals that don’t align with real-world physics.
Human Expertise: AI cannot replace the creative vision, empathy, and problem-solving skills that designers bring to projects.
Ethical Considerations: AI tools have environmental impacts and ethical concerns regarding data use and bias.
While AI can enhance the design process, lighting designers must balance its benefits with thoughtful, responsible use. By setting policies, promoting open communication, and considering ethical implications, firms can leverage AI as a tool to support – not replace – human artistry.