Aila, designed by Leslie Carothers in conjunction with an AI bot, debuted at KBIS in February 2024 and will be on display at the Midwest Design and Furniture Fair, May 9-11.
Heritage/Future Forging soul into the world’s first AI-generated sink design. Words by Andrea Darr | Image produced by Midjourney
N
o one knows where AI will take civilization, but for the
age-old tradition could adapt to changing
moment, it can be a helpful idea-
conditions using an AI-designed sink as the
generating tool.
example. The result is a fascinating contrast of
“For me, it’s fascinating where things are going,
communications, William Cook. “You can’t go to
the newest technology being paired with some
the speed of change, and where technology
any manufacturer for a one-off, but our artisans
of the oldest artistry in the world.
is taking us,” says Andrew Holben, director of
can do it.”
“Juxtaposition is the right word to use in this
marketing and sales for Thompson Traders,
The company’s Tailor-Made Custom Design
which specializes in luxury products for the
Program allows and encourages unique designs,
“Given that robots and machinery can make
kitchen, bath and home.
and their artisan metalsmiths have the flexibility
just about anything these days, Thompson
to mold designs into existence using hand tools
understands the subtle nuances that artisanal
over an open fire.
makers can add to any product, making it truly
Designers can use AI to create images of truly custom products for their clients, but getting a manufacturer to produce those designs can be
Thompson’s leadership decided to approach
willing to explore new ways of showcasing how
“You can’t create a product from AI out
marketing innovator and principal of Savour
designers can offer consumers bespoke creations
of thin air,” says Thompson’s director of
Partnership—with an experiment to test how this
that can be sold via a designer’s own website.”
110 | mydesignkc.com | Spring 2024
Carothers—interior
designer,
unique and one of a kind,” Leslie says. “They are
digital
a challenge.
Leslie
case,” William says.