At SIGGRAPH 2024, the excitement surrounding 3D design and rendering powered by AI was undeniable, and for good reason. From digitizing materials to sustainability in data centers, to groundbreaking innovations in AI for 3D modeling, the event showcased the future of design for industries like contract furniture, architecture, and interior design.
Our colleagues Roman Molina and Eric Schonhals, both 3D artists from our Visualization team, attended this year's event and shared what impressed them most as professionals working in high-end visualizations and project presentations. Here, we’ll explore how these advancements—especially in AI, digitizing materials, and sustainability—can elevate your design processes and help your business stand out.
While there was a lot of buzz around virtual reality and augmented reality in previous years, this year’s event centered on AI and its powerful applications in design. Roman and Eric noted that AI tools were the show’s highlight, and their potential for revolutionizing 3D design and rendering cannot be overstated.
Developing AI custom assistants capable of optimizing repetitive tasks or taking vocal commands to edit (or create) directly inside applications for 3D-modeling allows artists to focus more on creative and strategic work. This was a standout feature at SIGGRAPH, as it has the potential to save significant time in the workflow by automating certain steps and learning user preferences to tailor its actions.
As Eric put it, “The AI integration will completely change how we work—things that used to take hours can now be done in minutes, which opens up more time for refining the quality of our renders.”
One of the most exciting developments that Roman highlighted was the focus on digitizing materials, such as fabrics and laminates. In the world of contract furniture and architectural design, accurate material representation is crucial for helping clients visualize the final outcome.
At SIGGRAPH, attendees were presented with portable devices that allow for precise digital copies of physical materials, which means that designers and manufacturers can now offer photo-realistic representations of textiles, laminates, and surfaces with stunning accuracy. For businesses looking to create compelling, client-ready presentations, this technology is a game-changer, it can be easily integrated into any 3D/Rendering workflow for fast high quality PBR materials generation.
“Being able to digitally represent materials as precisely as possible will help clients feel more confident in their decisions—there’s no guesswork anymore,” Roman shared.
Another noteworthy topic at SIGGRAPH 2024 was sustainability, particularly in the context of data centers. As more rendering and AI processes shift to the cloud, managing energy consumption becomes a key concern for environmentally conscious businesses.
Roman and Eric attended presentations on how the latest data center technologies are aiming to be more sustainable, making it easier for design firms to reduce their environmental footprint while leveraging advanced rendering capabilities. This is especially relevant for companies in architecture and design that are increasingly prioritizing eco-friendly practices in their operations.
Both Roman and Eric were particularly impressed by NVidia Omniverse, a platform designed for real-time collaboration in 3D design. Omniverse integrates 3D modeling, spatial computing, and AI tools, allowing multiple designers to work together simultaneously, making updates in real time. This is particularly useful for contract furniture and architectural projects, where collaboration between teams, clients, and vendors is key to keeping projects on track.
Omniverse also supports the creation of digital twins—virtual models of physical spaces or products that can be tested and refined before the final build. This feature is valuable for industries focused on precise design elements, like furniture layouts or building structures, allowing for smoother workflows and fewer errors.
“Seeing changes happen instantly, with everyone on the same page, is a game-changer for complex projects,” Eric shared.
Another key discussion at SIGGRAPH revolved around the ethics of generative AI. As AI tools become more powerful, there’s increasing responsibility to ensure that they are used ethically. Designers now have access to AI that can generate entire environments, textures, or even layouts based on simple inputs, but it’s essential to be mindful of how these tools are applied.
Generative AI, when built using carefully curated data and ensuring proper recognition for the artists and creators whose work is used in training, is crucial for the ethical and effective use of these tools across various industries.
Acknowledging the contributions of original creators not only upholds intellectual property rights but also fosters innovation and trust in the technology.
For professionals in contract furniture, architecture, and design, the innovations presented at SIGGRAPH 2024 offer real, actionable solutions that can enhance how we work today.
Whether it’s virtual and augmented reality experiences, photo-realistic renderings, or 3D modeling, these advancements are set to transform the way design projects will be visualized and presented.
Curious about how these cutting-edge technologies can benefit your business? Our team is equipped with the latest tools in VR, AR, AI, and real-time collaboration to bring your vision to life.
Let’s start your next project—reach out to us today or take a look at some of our recent success stories with photo-realistic renderings and virtual showrooms. Ready to dive into What’s Next? We’re here to help you lead the way.