As we attended the lecture taught by Phillip G. Bernstein on last Wednesday, I left the auditorium with an insecure thought: How many related technologies do I have to study in order to keep myself updated with the contemporary professional practice? More important is that do we, as interior designers, have to be proficient in using all those computer-aid tools? During the lesson, although the speaker was giving an intellectual speech, I felt overwhelmed! As a result, I noticed two things about technology that might affect design ability.
Firstly, when Bernstein showed the example of the round window in a round wall by hand-drawing and one project of SHop Architects and excitedly pointed out how technology made designs changed. I was not very convinced that it was a success. Those two examples are significantly different. The former one shows the precise work of the architect, and it expresses how much dedication the designer gave to his drawing. The other reveals a conceptualized design, an idea splash. The window was beautifully hand-drew, whereas the building was automatically calculated by the computer. However, I like the hand sketch much better than the unidentified shape of the building.
Secondly, it was true when he said that technology could speed up the design process. It is obvious that we have abilities to delete, add, or change the whole design. Because it is much faster to design with the help of technologies, we can design or exactly, create more drawings in the same amount of time. Nevertheless, increasing quantity does not mean increasing quality. On the contrary, designing by the computer, we might get many troubles, especially when the machine is not working collaboratively. It might even slow down the design thinking.
Finally, I would love to take an example of the famous architect Frank Gehry. He did not start the design of Walt Disney Concert Hall by a computer or a technology-aid tool. Digital or computers are the effective tools that help to operate the ideas and turn them into reality, but they are not representing for design talent. As designers, we should allow our creativity to work in its best comfort and not too much depend on technologies. In order to create a successful design, designers are not alone. Having a good team of cooperators such as researchers, constructors, and technicians is a must.
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I agree with you that it seems that the integration of different professions and knowledge is the trend of future and we all have to get used to it. However, like you said, it seems we have to learn more in order to understand the integrated means. Is it supposed to have a boundary for the non-stop integration or we will be force to be converted into a whole and gradually lost our specific skills? I have no idea but I am scared that we learn more but may lose more too.