Introduction: Exploring the Future of Interior Design in a Virtual–Physical Continuum

Abstract

, are at the core of interior design practice. In a similar direction, Vahdat pointed out that the very nature of interior design allows professionals to provide unique user experiences. Highlighting the significance of virtual space in the future market of design, Vahdat believes that instead of imitating photorealistic renders, it is essential to introduce alienation/defamiliarization strategies—through which designers can invoke awareness about the mediation involved in the virtual sphere. The changing role of an interior designer is more uncertain within the context of virtual technology that has the ability to readily conjure quick solutions through publicly accessible artificial intelligence programs such as MidJourney and DALL-E. These programs are harnessing public powers of imagination to produce numerous interior design solutions through verbal and visual prompts. Perhaps, more positively, it is an opportunity for the profession to shape public knowledge with a unique “gaze” that designers are trained for and to differentiate themselves through deep investigations of materials, space