AI for Interior Designers™ *Podcast

Episode 76 | AI Pulse: Jenna's Predictions for Where AI Is Heading
AI for Interior Designers™ Podcast · Jenna Gaidusek

Nearly 3 years into teaching AI for Interior Designers, Jenna shares her predictions and a current pulse of where AI is and where she predicts it will be in the future, with one honest disclaimer: she is not here to guess where AI lands in five years. Nobody knows that. What she can tell you is what she has actually been building for the past three years, and where that points next. The short version is custom tools. The kind you...

Episode 75: Get Messy, Make Mistakes

This week I am taking you behind the scenes of something I usually keep private: the real, unglamorous work of building. After two years in the making, I finally launched Field Day and the AI Social Club™ app, and I want to talk about what that process actually looks like when you do it out loud.

I get into why I build everything myself first, learn it inside and out, and then turn around and teach it to you. That is the whole reason I do what I do. When yo...

In episode 74 of the AI for Interior Designers Podcast, host Jenna Gaidusek gets into the idea that tools most interior designers have been using to run their businesses were created by tech companies and accountants, not by designers. And that mismatch has been quietly shaping (and limiting) the way you work for years.

In this solo episode, Jenna breaks down why this happened, why the subscription sprawl is a symptom and not the actual problem, and why AI finally makes it possible to build tools that work the way you actually work — instead of the other way ar...

Episode 73 — What I'm Doing This Summer (And Why I Want You to Join Me) AI for Interior Designers™ Podcast · Jenna Gaidusek

Jenna gets honest about what's been happening behind the scenes — a scattered site, an evolving program, and a summer that's finally clearing the runway. She shares why she permanently left ChatGPT for Claude + Gemini, how she actually uses AI (spoiler: it's not chat threads - it's custom apps and branded dashboards built for real design workflows), and what's coming this summer with Field Day, a 9-week live AI learning program starting June 2nd.

Open enrollm...

The rules of being found online haven't disappeared. They've evolved.

In Episode 72, Jenna sits down with Robyn White of RDW Design Studio — website designer, brand strategist, and SEO specialist for interior designers — to break down exactly what has changed with AI search, what still matters, and what your design firm needs to do right now to show up when potential clients are searching in ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini.

If you have been putting off your SEO because it feels overwhelming, or wondering whether all of that work you already did on your website even matters anym...

Are Your Business Processes Living Rent-Free in Your Head?

If your team can't access the knowledge you carry around in your mind, your design firm is more vulnerable than you think. In this episode, Jenna Gaidusek sits down with Dixie Willard — Founder of Poised & Plumb and operations expert for interior design firms — to talk about how AI is completely changing the way designers build, document, and manage Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why keeping everything in your head is one of the biggest risks to your business

In this special episode recorded live from the KBIS 2026 Podcast Studio, Sponsored by AJ Madison Pro, AI for Interior Designers *Podcast host Jenna Gaidusek sits down with the KBB Person of the Year, Sharon Sherman, founder of Thyme & Place Design.
As AI moves at a breakneck pace, who is guiding the ship? Jenna and Sharon dive deep into the "feminine energy" required to nurture this technology, the importance of setting rigid ethical boundaries, and why AI can mimic a mood board but can never understand the "energetic quality" of a home. From Sharon’s AI assistant "Ursula" to th...

Is Interior Design Rendering Dead? How AI Tools Are Changing Client Visuals

In this episode of the AI for Interior Designers™ Podcast, Jenna breaks down whether traditional 3D rendering still makes sense for interior designers now that AI tools can create convincing visuals in a fraction of the time.

For years, high-end 3D renderings were the gold standard. Designers would spend 10–14 hours perfecting materials, lighting, and tiny details. It was beautiful work—but also time‑consuming, expensive, and often overkill for what most clients actually needed: confidence in the concept and clarity around how everything fits.

Now, A...

In Episode 68 of the AI for Interior Designers™ Podcast, Jenna Gaidusek dives into a topic that has been quietly reshaping the internet, social media, and how we market our businesses. If you’ve ever felt disconnected from the feed, skeptical of what you’re seeing online, or exhausted by algorithm driven content, this episode will resonate.

Jenna unpacks why the internet feels dead. Between bots, AI generated content, misinformation, and platforms designed to influence behavior rather than foster connection, trust online is eroding fast. She breaks down dead internet theory through real‑world experience, not hype, and explains wh...

Episode 67: Touch Grass, Save Your Sanity

Social media feels heavier than ever, AI content is everywhere, and many designers are starting 2026 already burnt out.

In this episode, Jenna reflects on burnout, growing up between analog and digital worlds, and why the solution to AI fatigue is not more tools, but more real life connection. This is an honest conversation about stepping back from the scroll, using AI intentionally, and prioritizing human experience in a tech-saturated world.

Instead of chasing algorithms or sharing everything publicly, Jenna explains why she is choosing a more intentional...

In this future-focused episode, Jenna skips the typical year-end recap and dives straight into what’s coming next for interior designers in 2026. Instead of dwelling on 2025, she breaks down the seismic shifts happening in AI, why so many firms are restructuring or closing, and how designers can stay not just relevant—but ahead of the curve.​

Why Jenna refuses to do “year in review” content and instead focuses on forward momentum, analytics, and what’s actually working for designers going into 2026.​

The real reasons so many small design firms are closin...

Episode 65: We’ve Hit the AI Tipping Point (And No, It’s Not Replacing Interior Designers)

In this episode, we talk about the moment we’ve officially reached: AI is now good enough that homeowners think they can design without us. Between Gemini’s newest features, Nano Banana built into your camera roll, and an explosion of fake “AI experts,” the design industry is at a major turning point.

EP 64: Zero Click AI Searches- The Reason Your Website Traffic is Down

In this episode, Jenna Gaidusek dives deep into the growing crisis of zero-click search—a shift in how people find answers online that’s impacting small businesses, designers, and anyone relying on website traffic for visibility and leads. Jenna explains what zero-click search is, why it’s become a problem over the past two years, and how AI-generated summaries on platforms like Google, ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, and Gemini are changing the rules for SEO and business growth.

What you’ll learn in this episode...

Episode 63: High Point Market, Human Connection & The Future of AI in Design

Ever feel like you need a nap after a trade show? Same. In this episode, Jenna’s back from High Point Market with stories, insights, and a very real take on how the design world is changing—and how AI is showing up in it.

From an intimate, hands-on AI Day at Feizy Rugs to a packed Lunch & Learn with IDS and Howard Elliott, Jenna shares how these in-person events are shaping the next era of design education. It wasn’t just about apps a...

Episode 62 of the AI for Interior Designers™ Podcast, hosted by Jenna Gaidusek, dives deep into the realities facing design students entering today’s job market, especially with the rapid rise of AI.

Jenna reflects on returning to teach at her alma mater and gives frank advice for students: the market is tough, reminiscent of graduating just after the 2008 recession, but now combined with accelerated industry change from AI. She emphasizes that traditional skills like rendering and drafting remain important, but AI proficiency is no longer optional; design firms increasingly look for new hires who are comfortable using AI t...

Episode 61: Subscription Overload- How New AI Lets Designers Consolidate

Feeling buried under a mountain of apps? You’re not alone. In this episode, Jenna pulls back the curtain on the flood of “AI for design” apps that popped up during the gold rush… and why so many of them are now vanishing. Spoiler: most were built by developers chasing profit, not by people who actually understand design.

Jenna shares her own journey (yep, hundreds of thousands invested in app development!) and explains why the future looks different now: designers themselves can start creating custom tools-  without n...

In this episode, Jenna Gaidusek provides a comprehensive update on the current state of AI in the design industry. She shares a practical, updated roadmap on how interior designers can effectively use AI—from generating imagery and automating workflows to building custom apps and leveraging agentic AI to manage day-to-day tasks.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

-AI Imagery & Mockups -Instantly generate room mockups, product swaps, and material changes with Gemini’s “NanoBanana” and ChatGPT.

-Tools for creating client-ready visuals in minutes. Practical Workshops & Events -Hands-on AI Day at High Point Market: live demon...

Episode 59: Confessions of AI Designer Nerds: Behind the Screens & Scenes
With Jessica Nelson and Stephanie Lindsey

Podcast Episode Summary:
In Episode 59 of the AI for Interior Designers Podcast, Jenna Gaidusek sits down with kindred spirits Jessica Nelson and Stephanie Lindsey—fellow designers, innovators, and co-hosts of the AI for Interiors and 100 Lunches podcasts. This lively, candid roundtable explores how designers are slowly—and strategically—welcoming AI into their workflows. From automating emails and leveraging tools like Gemini or Fixer, to custom budgeting GPTs and design visualization with apps like SketchUp, ArchSynth, ProAI, and NanoBanana, the trio p...

In episode 58 of the AI for Interior Designers *Podcast, Jenna Gaidusek sits down with renowned photographer Brian Berkowitz to explore the intersection of AI, photography, and interior design. Brian, a second-generation photographer with 30 years of experience, shares stories from his career working with luxury brands like Gucci, Rolex, Louis Vuitton, and top designers, as well as insights on how AI is streamlining business practices behind the scenes. Jenna and Brian also discuss their collaborative work teaching AI to photographers and the vital role of authenticity in social media, blogs, and digital presence. This episode is essential listening for anyone...

Episode 57: Tech-Forward Design Partnerships with Howard Elliott

In this episode of AI for Interior Designers, Jenna sits down with Bree Cassidy from Howard Elliott to talk about how one manufacturer is changing the game for designers with smarter, more efficient tools.

Howard Elliott has been a designer favorite since their early mirror collections in 2001, and today they offer over 5,000 SKUs ranging from mirrors and accent furniture to custom textiles, wall art, and outdoor pieces—all with a strong focus on customization. Bree shares how the brand’s new website update takes the guesswork out of sourcing, with feat...

Welcome to the AI for Interior Designers podcast- Episode 56! In this episode, I’m joined by brothers Peter and Alexander Spalding, co-founders of Daniel House Club, a platform built to take the headaches out of procurement so designers can focus on what they actually love: designing.

We first met in May 2024 at a design immersion retreat in Scottsdale, and since then we’ve crossed paths at multiple industry events. I’ve not only partnered with them for events like the first AI Design Tech Summit but also used their platform extensively in my own projects.

EP 55: Measuring Success with Canvas I.O. and Sarah Bird

In this episode of the AI for Interior Designers podcast, host Jenna Gaidusek sits down with Sarah Bird, CEO of Canvas I.O. They dive into how Canvas I.O. is revolutionizing the design workflow by offering a tool for accurate field measurements without a tape measure.

Sarah shares her intriguing background and journey that led her to helm Canvas I.O., a company rooted in over a decade of LiDAR technology development and holding more than 20 patents. What started as a hardware-focused venture in 2008 with the...

In episode 54, Jenna and Laurie dive deep into the current state of AI in the design world, especially how it’s showing up (for better or worse) on social media. Laurie gives a brutally honest take on how many designers are either all-in with AI or still sitting on the sidelines waiting to see if it’s worth the hype. Spoiler: it is, but not the way some people are using it.

This episode is like a fireside chat between two industry vets who’ve been on the front lines of design and tech, and aren’t afraid t...

Episode 53: Connecting the Dots Through AI Community Conversations with Julia Reinert

In a must-listen episode, Jenna Gaidusek, host of AI for Interior Designers, welcomes her Marketing Director, Julia Reinert, also the creative force behind The Lifestyle Historian. This candid conversation explores Julia's fascinating journey from a "non-tech person" to an enthusiastic adopter of Artificial Intelligence in her work.

Discover how their collaboration is leading to the exciting launch of AI Community Conversations, a new Q&A blog. This platform will be your go-to resource for AI technology insights and design industry discussions, blending expert perspectives with practical...

In this candid conversation, Jenna Gaidusek, host of the "AI for Interior Designers" podcast, welcomes long-time friend and industry colleague Sarah Daniele. Sarah, co-founder of MyDoma and now Principal of Designer Solutions at MyDoma and Studio Designer, turns the tables and interviews Jenna on her evolving expertise and practical applications of AI in the interior design workflow. This episode offers valuable insights into the current state and future possibilities of AI tools for every designer, regardless of the software they use.

This episode explores the latest advancements in AI for interior designers...

Episode 51 — Simple Ways to Start Implementing AI (and What’s Coming Next)

Ready to ditch the busy-work? In this episode, Jenna walks you through the no-brainer AI moves every designer can adopt today—think automatic note-takers, transcript-to-proposal workflows, and Canva templates that basically fill themselves. She then peeks around the corner at the next wave of “agentic” tools that will take the hand-offs completely off your plate. If you’re still handwriting full meeting notes or copy-pasting between five apps, this one’s your shortcut.

What we cover:

Why recording every meeting (in-person or virtual) sh...

In this milestone episode, AI for Interior Designers *Podcast Host, Jenna Gaidusek, digs into the environmental footprint of AI tools like ChatGPT and how their use affects energy and water resources-especially as data centers expand to keep up with demand. You’ll learn surprising facts, like how a year of daily AI searches has a smaller carbon impact than driving 40 miles or running your dryer just 16 times.

In this episode of AI for Interior Designers, Jenna Gaidusek welcomes Emily Allen Burroughs, Director of Education for the Designer Society of America (DSA), to have an honest and eye-opening conversation about how interior design students—and pros—are navigating the AI boom.

Emily shares the mission of DSA and how their foundation in education continues to evolve alongside the tools designers use. Together, she and Jenna explore a growing divide between students who are over-relying on AI (and losing their voice in the process) and seasoned professionals who are still hesitant to embrace it at all. Spoi...

In this episode, Jenna Gaidusek discusses the rapid advancements in AI technology, particularly in the context of interior design. She shares insights from her recent conversations with Google about new AI tools and explores the implications of agentic AI and AGI. Jenna emphasizes the need for designers to adapt to these changes while considering the ethical and privacy concerns that come with such powerful technologies.

Takeaways

In this episode, Jenna Gaidusek discusses her recent travels and experiences in the design industry, focusing on the role of AI in design. She emphasizes the importance of ethical considerations when using AI tools, the impact of AI on creativity, and the environmental implications of AI technology. Jenna encourages designers to view AI as a tool for problem-solving rather than a replacement for human creativity, while also addressing the challenges and opportunities that AI presents for the future of design and human interaction.

Takeaways

Ep 46: How AI Inspo May Help the Static Real Estate Market- And breathe personality into our homes again!

In this episode of the AI for Interior Designers™ Podcast, Jenna Gaidusek explores how artificial intelligence can be a game-changer in today’s sluggish real estate market. With listings sitting longer and generic staging falling flat, designers now have an opportunity to reimagine spaces in a bold, personalized way using AI tools.

Key Topics Covered:

In this episode of the AI for Interior Designers™ Podcast, Jenna shares two exciting announcements that are set to empower creative professionals with practical, hands-on strategies to incorporate AI into their design workflows—without the overwhelm.

AI Day at High Point Market (April 25) Join us in person at High Point for a live event that blends creativity with tech. Attendees will design a custom upholstery piece, learn how to use AI tools to write compelling product descriptions, build visual assets, and explore how customization meets technology in a real manufacturing environment.

Virtual AI Design Tech Summ...

Thinking about rebranding your interior design business but feeling overwhelmed? In this episode, I chat with Dixie Willard, a long-time design industry pro who recently pivoted her business with the help of AI-powered tools like ChatGPT. We dive into how she used custom GPTs to refine her brand voice, develop website copy, and streamline her business repositioning—all in under a week!
Dixie shares insights on using AI to brainstorm business ideas, structure services, and optimize content while maintaining a personal, brand-aligned voice. Whether you’re rebranding, refining your offerings, or just curious about leveraging AI in your desi...

Episode 43: What AI Can’t Do for Interior Designers (Yet!)

🔊 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube!

Description:
AI is transforming interior design, but let’s set the record straight—there are still plenty of things AI can’t do (at least not yet). In this episode, Jenna Gaidusek tackles some of the biggest misconceptions about AI in the design world. Can AI fully design a space? Can it replace professional designers? Is it capable of generating accurate 3D models or picking the perfect furniture? Jenna breaks it all down, sharing real-world insights on where AI falls sh...

In this episode, Jenna Gaidusek discusses the latest trends and predictions in AI technology for kitchen and bath design. She shares her experiences from the previous year's KBIS event, highlighting innovative products like countertop charging and cleaning robots. Jenna also explores futuristic gadgets that could revolutionize home cooking and maintenance, emphasizing the role of AI in enhancing everyday life. The conversation wraps up with insights on upcoming technologies and Jenna's excitement for the future of design.

Takeaways

In this episode, we explore how AI is transforming the interior design industry, not by replacing creativity, but by enhancing efficiency and streamlining workflows. From client onboarding and project management to ideation, rendering, procurement, and business operations, discover the latest AI tools that can help designers work smarter.

AI Tools Mentioned (some include a referral link):

The DAIly – AI training for interior designers: 

Fathom Notetaker – AI-powered transcription

Lindy – AI meeting assistant

Plaud – Voice recording & transcription:

MyDoma – AI-powered project management:

Perplexity AI – Research & writing assistant:

Motion Cal...

In this episode, I’m sharing why I’ve decided to step back from social media and what’s next for creating real connections. After a year of actively engaging on Instagram, I’ve realized that the platforms we once relied on for building genuine relationships no longer serve us in the same way.

The Shift in Social Media:

• Misinformation is spreading faster – Meta has removed third-party fact-checkers, making it harder to trust what we see.

• AI-generated influencers are taking over – Digital personalities are replacing real human connection.

• The engagement trap is...

In this episode of the AI for Interior Designers™ Podcast, Jenna Gaidusek reveals groundbreaking AI advancements that are set to revolutionize workflows for interior design professionals. From transforming 2D design boards into lifelike 3D renders to creating immersive VR experiences, these tools promise to save time and elevate creativity without compromising quality.

Key Highlights:

-Streamlined Workflows: Discover how tools like Canva and Photoshop now integrate with AI to create lifelike 3D renders in minutes.

-Generative AI in Action: Learn how platforms like Midjourney and Visual Electric enhance designs with realistic lighting, textures, and au...

In this episode of the AI for Interior Designers™ Podcast, Jenna Gaidusek dives into the ethical dilemmas and opportunities that come with integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into interior design portfolios. From tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, and Perplexity to the importance of transparency with clients, Jenna shares actionable tips to help designers thrive while staying authentic in this evolving tech landscape.

Linda Hold Cell Phone Photography (not an affiliate, just really love her!) Smartphone Photography classes and training 

Key Topics Covered: The Ethical Dilemma: Authenticity vs. AI Why passing off AI-generated content as your own...

In this episode of the AI for Interior Designers™ Podcast, Jenna Gaidusek sits down with copyright experts David Newoff and Stephen Teep to explore the intersection of interior design, copyright, and AI. As AI tools reshape the creative process, understanding the legal and ethical boundaries of copyright has never been more important.

David Newhoff (10+ years copyright advocacy)

Building on his background in film production and communications, David is a widely respected advocate of creators’ rights. Since 2011, he has written over 1,000 articles, primarily on the blog The Illusion of More, endorsing strong copyright rights and que...