Airstream table and Diffuse stools JARROD LIM AND AHEC PRESENTED THEIR LATEST COLLABORATIVE PROJECT JOINING FORCES WITH CHATGPT TO EXPLORE THE BENEFITS AND LIMITATIONS OF AI FOR A DESIGN INDUSTRY NOW
TEXT: NATHATAI TANGCHADAKORN
PHOTO COURTESY OF AHEC
(For Thai, press here)
Jarrod Lim and The American Hardwood Export Council presented their latest collaboration: Man x Machine x Material at the Interzum SEA showcase at IFFINA Indonesia Meubel & Design Expo in November. Lim experimented with human-computer interaction in his creation of ‘Airstream table’ and ‘Diffuse stools’ in American red oak. He collaborated with ChatGPT to explore the benefits and limitations of AI for a designer.
‘Man x Machine x Material’ at the Interzum SEA showcase at IFFINA Indonesia Meubel & Design Expo
‘Man x Machine x Material’ at the Interzum SEA showcase at IFFINA Indonesia Meubel & Design Expo
When embarking on the collaboration, Lim had to overcome his natural resistance to working with a non-human partner. Generative AI can process and transmit huge volumes of information at a speed far beyond the capabilities of humans. But it remains very different from human intelligence. A computer does not have an evolved understanding of the human condition and our emotional response.
“I engaged the AI to research the use of timber in furniture design, aiming to integrate notable Indonesian elements. This initiated a collaborative process, where the AI contributed design ideas which I then refined with my own creative insights.” Lim said
While the first designs of this project were aesthetically promising, they were not likely to be viable from a manufacturing perspective. The practical skills and material knowledge naturally acquired by designers such as Lim over years of trial and error in production proved a stumbling block in communication with the AI platform.
The AI initially provided generic timber suggestions but with prompts for sustainable and workable materials it pointed to American red oak which is a material that is easy to work and versatile. It’s readily available, sustainable and it steams and bends easily so in a sense the material choice made up for the lack of understanding of industrial production methods.
Airstream table and Diffuse stools
Airstream table
“The AI model struggled when prompted to consider the technical aspects of production, which are second nature to a craftsman. This highlighted to me the current limitations of the AI which I found easier to resolve using my past experience rather than further instruction. Whilst I fully appreciate the machine would maybe learn over time, communicating what I knew in a way that it could understand was too time consuming. With AI, these intuitive elements needed to be articulated explicitly” said Lim of the process.
Diffuse stools
Diffuse stools
Lim persevered with the AI generated ideas and fully collaborated to realize a stunning collection of table, stools and screen. The Airstream table and Diffuse stools represent a fusion of AI-generated concepts with Lim’s design language, merging contemporary aesthetics with Indonesian cultural influences. Drawing inspiration from Indonesian lattice screens and Balinese interior styles, these pieces also reflect Indonesia’s shipbuilding heritage through the bent wood construction of the legs.
“While we are still in the early stages of generative AI, it’s evident that this tool will become increasingly integral to the design process, similar to 3D designing years ago. Rather than replacing human design sensibilities, it serves to enhance and elevate our creative capabilities. But while it can generate eye-catching designs quickly, there is no story-telling element behind the inspiration, no designers’ intuition which guides proportions and material choice. At the end of the day I have to question whether alone, it is capable of creating designs which people can fall in love with” concludes Lim.
Jarrod Lim with his works
With AI, skilled craftsmen and Lim’s design experience coming together, the project exemplifies how technology can enhance creativity.