18 Jun E-Design: Everything You Need to Know About It to Help Your Business

Due to the impact the Covid-19 pandemic had on the world, the field of design has changed tremendously in the past months. Today we’re experiencing drastic changes in how people do business. As a result, the design already looks different than only a few years ago. People are looking for ways to communicate with others virtually, and e-design is trending more than ever.

Once e-design started popping here and there, the trend spread around without hesitation. Clients truly enjoy easy access to outstanding renderings and quality designs. This gave them more choices and a wider reach, and it is a trend that’s here to stay.

The Growing Interest in E-Design

All over the world, people started using e-design as their means to communicate with customers. Thanks to sophisticated technology and tools that make edesign a more effortless endeavor, it’s safe to say that this way of designing is here to stay.

Take, for example, Foyr Neo, one of the most used design software solutions these days. Using Neo, users can transform their ideas from simple concepts to detailed, quality photorealistic renders.

Not only is this more flexible during a pandemic, but it’s also highly appreciated on behalf of customers.

Thus, e-design is an online service that gives clients access to the services and expertise. It also provides designers with a broader reach in terms of the buyer persona. It’s a win-win for both sides, a combo between DIY home improvement and full-service professional design.

E-Design Vs. Traditional Design

Compared to established design firms, e-design is quicker, faster, and usually costs less money. In the end, you get the thing you wanted – a space that’s professionally designed.

The main difference between traditional design and online design is that the latter takes on a DIY approach. Classic design involves many things, from the expert to your home taking photos and measurements to meetings, orderings, installations, changes in styling, overseeing contractors, etc.

On the other hand, e-design often doesn’t even require the designer to come to your home – ever. In this case, the client takes the measurements and photos and saves a fortune because of this. They are also doing the ordering and vendor communication. What you get from the service is the design, a ready project to turn into reality.

Because the expert doesn’t have to do all this, you can expect a much quicker turn-around. Traditional projects take months or years because they require more involvement. This new method is much faster – it takes a couple of weeks to get them ready designs.

Finally, the most significant difference is the cost. If you use a traditional residential expert, you’ll need to pay at least $150 per hour for design fees. More popular designers charge as much as $10,000 for a single room – and that’s without renovation expenses or furniture costs.

Moreover, e-design comes in packages and can cost a meager price, sometimes going even below $100 for a room. So naturally, you’d want to use the best to achieve high quality, which will cost a bit more, but it still doesn’t come close to the fortune you pay a residential interior designer.

Is E-Design the Right Choice for Your Business?

Businesses often need to design something. Whether it is a new facility, renovating the offices, adding new employees, or any other changes – design is essential for a growing business. But, unfortunately, doing such things can be a real hassle, take forever to be completed, and cost you tons of money.

But, not with e-design. Instead, E-design offers you the creativity and expertise of professional designers without the inconvenience of organizing many meetings, overseeing ongoing work, and paying a considerable sum in the end. So, if you’re looking to get a more flexible design and save money, then this is the best choice for you.

If you decide to take this step, you need to know that it is your job to prepare, manage, and implement the design idea.

You’ll need to do some of the following – if not all:

• Take photos and measurements
• Be specific and know exactly what you want
• Spend some time using the program you pick for this
• Make your orders of materials and hire contractors

For this to work, you need a quality Internet connection and a bit of digital knowledge. Thanks to simplified software solutions, everyone can get such designs in no time.

However, this may not be a good choice for you if you have little time to dedicate to it or don’t have a person in your team who would oversee the process. Also, if you don’t already know what you want or need professional and detailed construction documents, your better choice would be a traditional designer.

Understanding the Process of E-Design

Every project ever made is unique in its way. Depending on who or what you use for e-design, you can expect some differences in the process. Even so, you can always expect some things such as a questionnaire or an order form.

Here is what the process usually includes:

1. Questionnaire: Whether it comes in the form of an order or a simple questionnaire, this part is vital for the company or designer to learn what you’re looking for. You’ll fill this online to provide the designer about your vision, design goals, requirements, deadline, etc
2. Design prep process: Once you submit your requirements and get the quote, you’ll be required to take photographs and measurements of the space you want to renovate
3. Design board and floor plan: You’ll get personalized design concepts at this point. It can be a preliminary design that’s waiting for your approval – or requests for changes. It can also be a design board, i.e., a visual representation of what the renovated or new place will look like when it’s finished
4. Delivery. When the design is finalized based on your requests and notes, it will be sent digitally. Designs usually include visuals, instructions for implementation, a shopping list with all you need to purchase and order, and a decorating guide for the tips and tools you’ll need to finish your DIY project

If you decide to grasp this new way of designing for your business, there are three tips that you should keep in mind:

Know What You’re Purchasing

E-design packages are not always the same. Some are more limited than others. Usually, projects that come at a meager cost contain very few features, not enough to get you started or allow you to finish the project unless you have a lot of experience.

Therefore, you need to know what a package includes before you accept the service. That’s why software products and designers offer various options. Make sure to consult on the deliverables in the project, as well as the deadline. Deliverables include everything from mood boards and shopping lists to floor plans and furniture layouts to full 3D renderings of the space.

Finally, deliverables include the number of revisions, if any, offered as part of the package. These often vary from one designer to the next one. Make this clear as soon as possible.

Communication Is Key to Successful E-Design

Since you won’t be meeting with designers face-to-face, communication is trickier this way. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. To eliminate the expenses and errors, you need to be as accurate as possible with your demands and expectations and the measurements and other requested documentation.

Discussing necessary plans online can often result in misinterpreted information. So don’t leave anything to chance – or half-explained. Instead, check in with the designer often to update how everything progresses and ask for changes or revisions when you don’t like their work.

Be Open to Different Options

Even if you have a fantastic idea in mind, chances are something will need to be revised to work or function properly. Be open to opinions and advice – after all, the person working on your design is an expert in it. If you’re using software for this, stay informed on the trends and be open to advice. Everything should be as you want it to be, but it should also be compatible with your business needs.

Final Thoughts

The popularity of e-design services has grown at an incredible rate in the past few years, especially during the pandemic. When people were restricted in meeting face-to-face, new tools and services appeared on the market, making this possible – visually speaking.

E-design already existed, but it is now trending and growing more than ever. It’s a trend that became widely accepted and popular, so odds are it will only keep growing in the months that follow. If you want to save some money and time, this might be the best idea for your business renovations.