According to a recent report, 65% of companies are already experimenting with AI-generated mood boards, 55% are using AI for VR/AR presentations, and AI integration has helped reduce project timelines by 20% and increase productivity by 30%.
These numbers clearly show: artificial intelligence and virtual technologies are no longer attributes of the future – they are very much part of our present. That’s why experience with VR 360, AI, and 3D visualization is no longer just a bonus – it’s becoming a requirement. There was a time when a hand-drawn sketch and a couple of collages were enough to present an interior concept. Today, that’s not sufficient. Virtual tours, neural networks, and photo-realistic renders are tools that are becoming essential in the modern designer’s toolkit. And those who know how to use them effectively gain not just a competitive edge – but a new level of creative freedom.
Olena Prykhodko is an interior designer, artist, and founder of Kebeta Design studios in Ukraine and the U.S. With over 10 years of experience, dozens of completed projects, participation in prestigious competitions (such as “Design of the Year” in Ukraine), and international recognition, she actively integrates the latest technologies into her work. A member of ASID (American Society of Interior Designers), an international expert, jury member at the American Business Expo, participant in Ukraine’s “Interior of the Year” competition, regular visitor to Salone del Mobile Milano, and author of academic papers on architecture and visual arts – Olena is at the forefront of implementing AI, VR, and 3D tools into her professional practice. With these technologies, her Kebeta Design studios in Ukraine and the U.S. deliver large-scale projects where aesthetics meet precise engineering and emotional expression.
In this interview, she explains how virtual reality, generative AI, and digital environments help her not only work faster, but also design interiors that are more precise and “alive.”
– Olena, you use VR 360 and 3D visualizations in your projects. Has this become standard in your studio, or is it still more of an experimental approach?
It’s a full-fledged tool. These days, we rarely do a project without 3D visualization or a VR tour – especially when it’s a complex space. It’s important for the client to feel the space, not just imagine it. With VR, they literally step inside: they can sense the height, scale, lighting, and spatial relationships. This not only makes communication easier but also reduces the number of revisions in later stages.
Technology is evolving so rapidly that it can be difficult to keep up. But I firmly believe this is not the future anymore – it is already our present. That’s why at Kebeta Design we move in step with the times and implement the most advanced tools in our practice.
VR 360 allows clients to literally “step into” a design before it is realized: to feel the scale of the space, see the details, and immerse themselves in the atmosphere. For designers, it’s an effective way to reduce revisions and avoid the common phrase, “This is not what I imagined.” When clients can confirm, “Yes, this is exactly what I envisioned,” before the project even begins, the outcome fully matches expectations. That’s why VR and 3D visualization are no longer experiments for us, but essential working tools.
– You also use artificial intelligence. In what way does it help?
I continuously monitor and test all significant AI updates in the field of interior design to be among the first to apply them. My belief is simple: AI is a powerful tool in the hands of a professional, not a competitor. The real risk lies not in AI itself, but in the possibility that other designers will master it faster.
I often compare artificial intelligence to a horse: you can spend your life being afraid to approach it, or you can take control, ride it, and move forward at full speed. The longer you delay, the harder it becomes to catch up with those who are already ahead.
In our studio, AI has become an indispensable assistant: it takes over routine tasks and frees up time for what truly matters – creativity. This accelerates processes while allowing us to focus on individuality and depth in every project.
– Are you concerned that AI might eventually replace designers?
On the contrary, I believe the opposite. Artificial intelligence enhances a designer’s capabilities, but it can never replace taste, vision, or a sense of style. Over the past five years, the design profession has changed dramatically, and I’m convinced the next five will bring even more profound shifts. That’s why it’s important to “catch the wave” now and make AI your ally. To me, it is clear: AI should be a helper, not a rival.
– Which technologies, in your opinion, have truly transformed the profession in the last five years?
The key ones are neural networks, VR visualizations, and generative design. These tools have transformed not only the design process but also communication with clients. Today, clients are no longer limited to static drawings – they can “try on” their future interiors, feel the space, and experience the atmosphere. This allows us to create projects that reflect clients’ individual preferences with maximum accuracy.
– Do you teach or share your expertise with others?
Yes, I share my knowledge about using AI in interior design, but only in a private format. I once considered developing a full-scale course, but technology evolves so quickly that information becomes outdated every two to three months. That’s why I find it more effective to provide focused knowledge that can be applied immediately in real projects.
– What advice would you give to designers who are just beginning to explore digital tools?
Do not waste a single day. AI is already here – whether we like it or not, sooner or later everyone will face it. Those who embrace it today will become the leaders of tomorrow. The key is not to fear change but to step confidently into a new reality where AI is a powerful partner that amplifies a designer’s talent.
