WHY IT MATTERS: Digital Transformation

Blade Runner 2049 misses modern strides in artificial intelligence, which is now capable of performing creative work alongside humans. The newly-emerging field known as “generative design” seeks to incorporate the computer more actively into the design process. In these kinds of computer applications, the designer uploads a “seed geometry” — akin to a keyframe reference drawing an animator might use — and then sets a series of requirements ranging from the aesthetic to the functional. The software then searches through a series of procedurally-generated designs based on the seed geometry and surfaces those that meet the requirements. The designer can select one of these “solutions” for production or to function as the next seed geometry and the process begins again.

If you’re a designer or engineer in the building, infrastructure, or manufacturing industries, you have probably heard about generative design, and maybe you’re excited—or skeptical. Or maybe you’re wondering, what is generative design? Will it pave the road for a new future of making things? Or will artificial intelligence usurp entire governments to become the overlords of 

What if a CAD system could generate thousands of design options that all meet your specified goals? It’s no longer what if: it’s Project Dreamcatcher, the next generation of CAD. Dreamcatcher is a generative design system that enables designers to craft a definition of their design problem through goals and constraints. This information is used to synthesize alternative design solutions that meet the objectives. Designers are able to explore trade-offs between many alternative approaches and select design solutions for manufacture.

I’ve been following the idea of algorithm-driven design for several years now and have collected some practical examples. The tools of the approach can help us to construct a UI, prepare assets and content, and personalize the user experience. The information, though, has always been scarce and hasn’t been systematic. However, in 2016, the technological foundations of these tools became easily accessible, and the design community got interested in algorithms, neural networks and artificial intelligence (AI). Now is the time to rethink the modern role of the designer.

What does 2017 have in store for us? We asked the industry’s experts for their views on the future of web design trends.

1. Conversational interfaces
2. Machine learning
3. Emotionally intelligent design
4. Virtual reality
5. Location and context awareness
6. Micro-interactions
7. Colors
8. Cohesive experiences
9. Even more JavaScript!
10. Designed failure
11. Design sprints
12. Better collaboration across design and development
13. Merging of UX and service design
14. Facebook and Google as destinations for content
15. Credibility becomes king
16. Mass disruption to foundational Internet services
17. The rise of the diversity designer
18. Bonus: 2017 According to Jeffrey Zeldman