ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Three questions to "An Improbable Future"

The creative mind behind the project "An Improbable Future" wants to remain anoynm. We only do know this much: Mx is an industrial designer from New York whose work explores what the industrial and transport design of the future might look like if it is based on existing designs created by artificial intelligence.

1/19/2023

Anna Moldenhauer: Your Instagram project @an_impropbable_future focuses on retro-futuristic visions of industrial- and transportation design using text-to-image generation. How does the creation process work?

An Improbable Future: I use a text-to-image generator called Midjourney to create all the visuals on my Instagram. I have been experimenting with its potential for industrial design and its effects on the traditional design process since its release. My approach to AI creatively is similar to leading a design team. I set the mood and visual tone for the AI while allowing room for interpretation and unexpected results. I provide specific guidelines to maintain a cohesive aesthetic, while adjusting certain keywords to explore different options. I generate many images and iterations before finding the desired outcome.

To what extent do you think artificial intelligence can add value to the design process?

An Improbable Future: I see AI-generated images as a valuable addition to the early stages of the design process. They allow for rapid exploration beyond traditional mood boards, providing designers with a wide range of possibilities. As a collaborative tool, it can serve as a conversation starter between team members and partners, fostering alignment and discussion around form.

You explore the aesthetics of functional objects, combined with the evolution of design from the last 40 years. Why does product design need to look back to be able to look forward with the most advanced technology?

An Improbable Future: I think that revisiting and reinterpreting the past is an essential aspect of product design and fashion. As technology improves, it allows us to view old ideas in a new light, and it gives a sense of familiarity. Good design is rooted in understanding human needs and desires, and as technology evolves, those needs, and desires remain constant.