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AI for Interior Designers™ *Podcast

Jenna Gaidusek

The AI for Interior Designers™ *Podcast is your down-to-earth resource for running a smart, efficient, and creative design business. Host Jenna Gaidusek tackles everyday challenges in the world of interior design. From project sourcing and field measurements, to finding reliable vendors, refining your workflow, and keeping client experiences top-notch. Expect honest talks on product procurement, building partnerships with makers and manufacturers, streamlining proposals, and keeping your design boards fresh and organized.

Episodes dig into things like digital note-takers for meetings, building template libraries, curating a unique brand voice, and staying authentic in your marketing and client interactions. You’ll hear behind-the-scenes stories with guests from leading design platforms, manufacturers, and educators, plus real tips for sustainability, running virtual design studios, and staying ahead of the trends. Jenna also opens up about the practical side of design: overcoming burnout, protecting your creative edge, learning from data, and picking tools that actually save you time.

www.aiforinteriordesigners.com

Join TheAISocialClub.com and keep learning in our community!

Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jenna.gaidusek/ and https://www.instagram.com/aiforinteriordesigners

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#80
October 25 · 24 min
EP 80: High Point Wasn’t Just Furniture: Heirlooms, Handwritten Notes & Ditching Your Software
What did we actually see at Fall High Point Market? In episode 80 of the AI for Interior Designers™ *Podcast, (recorded live in the Loft inside the AI Social Club) Jenna Gaidusek brings Lauren Scully back to recap their roughly fifth market together, from their side of the aisle: fewer product appointments, more conversations about where design and technology are headed. We cover the packed CEU at Hooker Furnishings, why 125 handwritten invitations ran out after an AI talk, color finally coming back after the gray years, the split between craftsmanship and fast home decor, antiques and the origin story behind a piece, one-on-ones at Howard Elliott, and why so many designers are ready to stop paying for software they barely use. Key Takeaways: - The human element is still in demand. Jenna's handwritten invitations to the AI Social Club ran out at the Hooker Furnishings CEU, about 50 short, with two more events still to go. - Color and pattern are back. Market felt split between well-made pieces with an education story behind the price and inexpensive, trendy "fast home decor," mostly at the accessory scale. - Clients want the story behind a piece. Antiques, artisans, and visiting the manufacturing plant give designers something to share, and give clients heirlooms instead of catalog copies. - Market recaps are changing. Instead of "look, I went to High Point," designers are explaining what the biggest furniture show in the industry means for their clients. - The Fabric to Frame app in the AI App Studio was a hit in Jenna's demos, and brand conversations about prototyping faster are already turning into new apps. - Designers no longer have to fit their business into someone else's software. Jenna's one-on-ones kept turning up project management tools nobody uses fully, and she's helping people consolidate or build custom solutions instead. Watch Live in the Loft Episodes record live inside the AI Social Club on select Fridays at 11 (check the Classroom calendar), and the edited episode publishes Saturday mornings. Take the tour: https://theaisocialclub.com/ Mentioned in this episode: High Point Market: https://www.highpointmarket.org Hooker Furnishings: https://www.hookerfurnishings.com Howard Elliott: https://www.howardelliott.com EP 79, our room-by-room tour of the AI Social Club: https://aiforinteriordesigners.com/podcast About Jenna Jenna Gaidusek is the founder of AI for Interior Designers™. She's a designer turned tech advocate, a speaker, a podcast host, and a custom app builder based in Charleston, SC, helping design professionals use AI in ways that are practical and ethical. Website: https://aiforinteriordesigners.com Instagram (brand): https://www.instagram.com/aiforinteriordesigners Instagram (Jenna): https://www.instagram.com/jenna.gaidusek Podcast: https://aiforinteriordesigners.podbean.com About Lauren Lauren Scully is a longtime friend and collaborator of Jenna's and part of the AI for Interior Designers™ team. She comes from the design and software side of the industry, helped build eDesign Tribe, and works behind the scenes where design and technology meet.
#79
October 10 · 56 min
EP 79: Let's Tour the AI Social Club and See What's Inside!
Fall is here, and so are all our new AI classes and programming updates! In this live episode, recorded in the Loft, Jenna Gaidusek takes you on a full tour of the AI Social Club to show you what each room of the club does, with longtime friend and teammate Lauren Scully along for the walk-through. We also introduce a NEW way to join the AI Certificate program this fall or take a single class with us. If you've been a member for a while, tune in to make sure you're seeing all the features you already have access to. Key Takeaways: The club is laid out like a house, and the menu is a floor plan. Everything starts in the Foyer, with your points, upcoming classes, replays, and saved dailies. Classes now run inside the Classroom instead of Zoom, and replays, chat, mind maps, audio recaps, and prompts stay there after class. The Library is bite-sized, on-demand learning, and you can turn any lesson into a "daily" checklist. The free AI Stack Builder and AI Ethics and Standards tools help you cut overlapping subscriptions and put a team AI policy on paper, without collecting your data. In the AI App Studio, the paint color palette, mood board to render, and furniture mock-up tools take on the tasks that eat up a designer's time. All classes are now Tuesdays at noon, single classes are $79, and there's a new $249/month rolling option for the certificate program. See You at High Point Market Jenna and Lauren are heading to Fall High Point Market and will broadcast live from the Loft whenever the Wi-Fi cooperates. Come find us: Sat, Oct 17, 10 - 11AM ET: AI-Powered Presentations in Minutes, Hooker Furnishings Designers Theater, Showplace 3rd Floor (1.5 CEU) Sun, Oct 18, 3 - 5PM ET: Sip & Learn with Jenna Mon, Oct 19, 2 - 3PM ET: How AI is Building the Future of Interior Design panel at Amadi Collective, followed by the Women at Home in Tech meetup from 3 - 4PM Oct 17 - 19: 1:1 AI co-work sessions with Jenna at the Howard Elliott Showroom in IHFC, $299 Market rate (online through Oct 31 if you can't make the trip) High Point Market: https://www.highpointmarket.org Hooker Furnishings: https://www.hookerfurnishings.com Howard Elliott: https://www.howardelliott.com Watch Live in the Loft Episodes record live inside the AI Social Club every Friday at 11AM EST, and the edited episode publishes Saturday mornings. Take the tour: https://theaisocialclub.com/app About Jenna: Jenna Gaidusek is the founder of AI for Interior Designers™. She's a designer turned tech advocate, a speaker, a podcast host, and a custom app builder based in Charleston, SC, helping design professionals use AI in ways that are practical and ethical. Website: https://aiforinteriordesigners.com Instagram (brand): / aiforinteriordesigners Instagram (Jenna): / jenna.gaidusek Podcast: https://aiforinteriordesigners.com/po... About Lauren: Lauren Scully is a longtime friend and collaborator of Jenna's and part of the AI for Interior Designers™ team. She helped build eDesign Tribe and works behind the scenes where design and technology meet.
#78
September 26 · 1 hr 11 min
EP 78: The Story Behind AI for Interior Designers™
EP 78: How AI for Interior Designers Got Started, Live from The Loft Jenna Gaidusek has built a business on technology and interior design and teaching that to others in the interior design industry. In this episode, her longtime collaborator Julia Reinert flips the mic and asks the questions for once: how a girl from Vermont who didn't know "interior design" was a career ended up building the AI Social Club. This episode was recorded live in The Loft inside the AI Social Club, the first one recorded there. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN - Where Jenna's design instincts actually started, years before design school - What it was like graduating design school straight into the 2010 recession - Why she built eDesign Tribe in 2018 and why she eventually sold it to Mydoma - What made her buy the domain AI for Interior Designers in 2022 - Why she builds and breaks every tool herself before she teaches it - How the AI Social Club became a house you walk through, room by room THE ONE THING TO TAKE FROM THIS EPISODE Jenna has never built anything with the intention of selling it. eDesign Tribe, AI for Interior Designers, the AI Social Club, all of it started because she wanted the thing to exist and nobody had built it yet. That's still how she decides what to build today. ABOUT JULIA REINERT Julia Reinert runs The Lifestyle Historian, where she helps designers and brands tell their story, with a background in journalism, marketing, brand management, event planning, and writing. She joined the interior design industry in 2022 and works with clients on a fully custom basis, from content and strategy to sponsor relationships and event planning. Julia is also Jenna's Director of Partnerships and has worked alongside her for nearly two years. Website: thelifestylehistorian.com MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Gemini — gemini.google.com Google Workspace — workspace.google.com Perplexity — perplexity.ai JOIN US LIVE IN THE LOFT Episodes are recorded live in The Loft inside the AI Social Club. Members (join free) can join the room, bring questions, and be part of the conversation. The next live recording is next Friday at 11am EST in the loft. Take the tour at theaisocialclub.com. CONNECT WITH JENNA aiforinteriordesigners.com | theaisocialclub.com | @aiforinteriordesigners Support@aiforinteriordesigners.com TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction 02:55 Episode 78, the first live broadcast, with Julia Reinert 06:51 Growing up in Vermont 12:18 Design school during the 2010 recession 20:26 Retail management and hitting a wall 25:22 Launching eDesign Tribe 46:31 Buying the domain, AI for Interior Designers begins 1:00:09 Building the AI Social Club, room by room
#77
September 11 · 30 min
Ep 77: The AI Conversation No One Wants to Have
Episode 77: The AI Conversation No One Wants to Have I took the summer off, and I'm not easing back in gently. This week I'm having the conversation I don't see enough people in this industry having out loud: AI development right now does not have enough guardrails, and I think that deserves real attention, even though I still use AI every single day. Here's the good news I was sitting on all summer. While I was away, I finished building something I've wanted for two years: the AI Social Club, one home for community, ongoing education, and the AI tools I've actually built for design businesses, instead of five subscriptions that were never made for us. I also get into how I actually use AI day to day (it's almost never a prompt box), why I built this community myself instead of joining an existing one, and the one habit I think every designer needs around backing up their own data so no single tool or company can hold your business hostage. What you will take away: Why I'm calling this Season 4 instead of pretending it's a fresh start My honest, specific concerns about how AI models are being developed right now Why I built the AI Social Club myself instead of joining an existing community How I actually use AI day to day, and why it's almost never a prompt box The one habit I want every designer to build around backing up their own data The one thing to take from this episode: do not let your business depend on a single software or AI tool staying exactly the way it is today. Back up your data locally and in the cloud, both, and choose tools you could walk away from if you had to. Starting September 24, this show records live in The Loft inside the AI Social Club. It's free to join, and you'll hear the episode a full day before it publishes anywhere else. If this one resonated, follow the show so you never miss an episode, share it with a designer friend, and come join us live at theaisocialclub.com.
#76
June 26 · 45 min
EP 76: AI Pulse: Jenna's Predictions for Where AI Is Heading
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 build yourself, designed for how you actually work, instead of renting fifty subscriptions that were never made for the design business. She gets into the irony of developers handing us the tools to finally cut out the middleman, why the backend has always been the real hurdle and how it is finally getting easier, and the simplest place for you to start today. No big pitch this time, just a candid look at where this is all going and what she is doing about it. Learn more at aiforinteriordesigners.com Key Takeaways Jenna is done making wild five and ten year predictions, and she thinks you should be too. The tech is moving too fast and too unpredictably for anyone to call it. What matters is watching what is tangible right now and building from there. The real shift she sees coming is custom tools. Not chatbots, not always AI-powered, just apps that do exactly what you need. Designers are not web developers or data scientists, and for the first time they do not have to be. They live the work, which means they know what they need better than any third party ever could. The irony is not lost on her. The same developers who built the "is your living room ugly" apps and cut professional designers out for years have now built tools so good that designers can build it themselves, and finally cut them out of the things they were always told they needed. The backend is the part that actually stops people. Building an app is easy. Deploying it so others can use it, with login, security, and working APIs, is the wall. That used to be Jenna's whole disconnect, and it is getting easier every month across Gemini Studio, Base44, and Claude Code. Artifacts are the easiest entry point. They are little one-purpose apps built right inside Claude, like a pricing calculator or a proposal builder. You build it once, save it, and use it constantly with no backend headache. Everything Jenna builds now lives in one connected hub. Two years of little builds became the AI Social Club™: proposals, lead generators, her CRM, and the App Studio, all in one place. The rule she builds by is simple. If you do something twice, make an app for it. Then automate it.
#75
June 19 · 47 min
EP 75: Get Messy, Make Mistakes: Miss Frizzle Was Right
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 you hit a wall in your own design business, I have usually been right there, so I can walk you through it. I also share where I see our industry heading. The ChatGPT design client is real, new business models are popping up, and a clear divide is forming in who our ideal clients are now. None of this means designers are going anywhere. It means we get to build our own table instead of waiting for an invite to someone else's. What you will take away: Why I build, test, and learn every tool before I teach it How the interior design client is shifting in the age of AI The new business models showing up as designers adapt Why I build for community first, never just for me The Miss Frizzle rule I live by: get messy, make mistakes, and actually remember what you learned If this one resonated, follow the show so you never miss an episode, and share it with a designer friend who needs the reminder that the tech is the problem, not them.
#74
May 29 · 29 min
Ep 74: Your Software Was Not Built for You
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 around. If you have ever felt like your software is fighting you instead of helping you, this episode is for you. What's covered in this episode: Why off-the-shelf design software was never really built for designers The subscription sprawl problem — and how the big LLMs are replacing most of it What custom dashboards and mini apps actually look like in practice The proposal builder example: discovery call in, formatted proposal out Why technology is about to become invisible — and what that means for your business Why small businesses have a real advantage over corporations in AI adoption right now The question you need to answer before you rebuild anything: what would your ideal business look like if the technology didn't limit it? Links mentioned: Register for Field Day: https://aiforinteriordesigners.com/field-day AI for Interior Designers™: https://aiforinteriordesigners.com Follow on Instagram: @aiforinteriordesigners Field Day — Summer 2025 Tuesdays, June 2 through July 28 | 10am–12:20pm ET $249 for 9 weeks | $397 bundle with study halls | $99 single study hall TOOLS MENTIONED Claude — claude.ai Gemini — gemini.google.com Perplexity — perplexity.ai Canva — canva.com Base44 — base44.com REGISTER FOR FIELD DAY 9 weeks. Every Tuesday. Starting June 2nd at 10am ET. Learn the tools, get quick wins, and start building what your business actually needs. 🔗 aiforinteriordesigners.com/field-day
#73
May 16 · 44 min
Ep 73: What I'm Doing This Summer (And Why I Want You to Join Me)
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 enrollment pricing drops from $149 → $79. A new website is on the way. The AI App Studio is growing. And none of it is built by a tech company guessing what designers need. Field Day — Enroll Now (Starting June 2nd): aiforinteriordesigners.com/field-day Key Takeaways After more than three months away from it, Jenna has officially and permanently moved on from ChatGPT — not because of the product, but because of the company and the people running it. Her current stack is Claude and Gemini, and she is not looking back. The way Jenna actually uses AI has almost nothing to do with typing into a chat thread. She builds branded apps, dashboards, and custom AI-powered tools that pull from spreadsheets and calendars and produce beautiful, functional interfaces designed specifically for design business workflows. The AI App Studio inside her programs is growing — and every tool in it was built by a working designer, for working designers. Not by a tech company that thinks it knows what you need. Field Day is a 9-week summer AI learning program starting Tuesday, June 2nd. It begins at absolute square one and builds every single week, with live sessions, structured study halls, and hands-on implementation time built into every class. Open enrollment class pricing is dropping from $149 to $79. The economy is hard, and Jenna wants more designers to be able to access the training. Plain and simple. A fully rebuilt, highly interactive website is in progress and coming soon. The current site is being untangled — Jenna knows it, she owns it, and it is getting fixed.
#72
April 10 · 37 min
EP 72: AI Search Conversation: The new Rules of Being Found Online
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 anymore, this episode is your answer. (It does. You are not starting over. You are adding layers.) WHAT YOU WILL LEARN The difference between traditional SEO and AI search — and why the shift from keywords to questions changes everything Why brand mentions are the new backlinks and how podcast features and press mentions are working for your AI visibility right now, even without a link The exact blog post structure that makes your content extractable by AI: key takeaways first, answer before support, FAQs at the end Jenna's voice note workflow — how she turns real client meeting moments into search-optimized blog content that sounds like her because it is her What EEAT means and why your case studies, client stories, and testimonials are more valuable than ever Whether AI-written content actually hurts your Google rankings — Robyn gives a refreshingly honest, nuanced take THE ONE THING TO TAKE FROM THIS EPISODE If AI can't clearly define you, it can't recommend you. Get crystal clear on who you are, what you do, who you do it for, and how you do it. Then make sure that message is consistent everywhere you show up online. Websites, social profiles, newsletter bios, podcast features. It all needs to match. These are bots. Inconsistency breeds distrust. ABOUT ROBYN WHITE Robyn White is the founder of RDW Design Studio, where she works almost exclusively with interior designers as a website designer, brand strategist, and SEO specialist. She offers traditional SEO, AI search optimization, website design, and ongoing monthly SEO services. Find Robyn at rdwdesignstudio.com. She is also joining Jenna as a guest instructor for Q2 of the AI for Interior Designers™ Certificate Program — her class on AI search visibility is May 19th. Enrollment closes May 4th. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Claude by Anthropic — anthropic.com ChatGPT by OpenAI — openai.com Google NotebookLM — notebooklm.google.com Perplexity AI — perplexity.ai Google Analytics — analytics.google.com LuAnn University — luannnigara.com/lu/ AI for Interior Designers™ Certificate Program Q2 — aiforinteriordesigners.com CONNECT WITH JENNA www.aiforinteriordesigners.com | @aiforinteriordesigners
#71
March 23 · 29 min
EP 71: Stop Keeping It All in Your Head: Building AI-Powered SOPs for Your Design Firm
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 How to use voice-to-text to capture your processes on the fly — even during a furniture delivery Why Google NotebookLM is a game-changer for creating a private, searchable knowledge base your whole team can use How to bring your brand voice into Claude the right way (without dragging in years of messy chat history) The mindset shift from depending on SaaS tools to building your own AI-powered systems Why documented SOPs are your business's best protection when the unexpected happens This conversation is packed with practical strategies you can implement immediately , whether you're a solo designer or managing a growing team. Don't miss these upcoming opportunities with Dixie: Dixie will be speaking at the 2nd Annual AI Design Tech Summit on April 2nd and teaching an in-depth course on AI-powered SOPs as part of the AI Certificate Program in May (Q2). Register before the summit for Q2 and your summit ticket is included! 🎟️ Summit tickets: https://www.aiforinteriordesigners.com/virtual-design-tech-summit-26 📚 Certificate Program: https://www.aiforinteriordesigners.ai/ Resources & Links: 🔗 Dixie Willard's Website — Poised & Plumb: https://poisedandplumb.com/ 📲 Follow Dixie on Instagram: @poisedandplumb | @designingdixie 🌐 Learn More About AI for Interior Designers: https://www.aiforinteriordesigners.com/ Join the AI for Interior Designers Community! Subscribe to the Podcast so you never miss an episode Follow Jenna on Instagram: @aiforinteriordesigners | @jenna.gaidusek If this episode hit home, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and tap the notification bell — staying ahead of AI in the design world starts here. 🎓 Explore AI for Interior Designers™: https://www.aiforinteriordesigners.com/
#70
February 24 · 43 min
EP 70: Keeping Interior Design Human in a World of AI with Sharon Sherman
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 the rising trend of "Analog Rooms," this conversation is a must-listen for designers looking to stay human in a digital world. In This Episode, We Discuss: AI as a "Child": Why boundaries and "parenting" your AI models are essential for ethical design. The Ethics of Stealing: How to use AI to enhance your own portfolio without infringing on others. The Power of Analog: Why "sit tests," real stone, and physical connection are becoming the ultimate luxury in a digital age. Human EQ vs. AI IQ: Why the industry still needs the "voice of reason" only a human designer can provide. The "Wait and See" Crowd: Why the industry needs hesitant designers to help build better solutions. Resources & Links Learn with Jenna & Sharon: AI for Interior Designers™ Certificate Program: Register for Q2 Enrollment Here Q2 Class (May 8): The Ethical Designer: AI Humanization & Team Leadership Connect with Sharon Sherman: Website: Thyme & Place Design Instagram: @thymeandplacedesign Our Sponsors: AJ Madison Pro: Smarter appliance sourcing and exclusive trade programs. ajmadison.com/pro KBIS (Kitchen & Bath Industry Show): Special thanks to the KBIS Podcast Studio. kbis.com
#69
January 30 · 41 min
EP 69: Is Interior Design rendering Dead? How AI Tools Are Changing Client Visuals
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, AI is changing that balance. Jenna shares why she personally stopped offering full 3D renderings nearly two years ago, how she now combines accurate floor plans with AI-generated imagery and video, and what this shift means for render artists, students, and working designers. In This Episode, We Cover: The shift from hand drafting to high-speed visuals: Why BIM tools and generative AI are the next inflection point in our industry’s evolution. When to skip the 14-hour render: How to identify when a client needs a high-end investment versus when they just need a "vibe" check. The New Workflow: How to build accurate 2D plans, then layer on fast AI visuals to sell the concept without the pixel-perfect obsession. The Future of Render Artists: Why technical designers are more valuable than ever as “accuracy editors” and quality control specialists. Designer vs. DIY AI: How to talk to clients who think they can replace a professional designer with a few prompts. Key Takeaways & Workflow Tips Why Traditional Rendering is Evolving Clients are increasingly hesitant to pay for "perfect" scale in every pixel when they can get a clear vision of the mood and layout in under two hours. Jenna explains how she uses tools like Mydoma’s Visualizer to create accurate floor plans and 2D drawings, then pivots to AI for the "wow" factor. Jenna’s Current AI Visualization Stack Foundation: Create a solid, scaled floor plan with accurate dimensions. Concept: Build a clean concept board with actual products in Canva. Visualization: Use AI (Google Gemini or ChatGPT) to "drop" real products into an AI-generated room image. Immersion: Turn those stills into short video walkthroughs using video-generation features to show the dog on the bed or the way light hits the sofa. Mentioned in this Episode Jenna’s Platforms & Education: AI for Interior Designers™ (Site + Newsletter) AI for Interior Designers™ Podcast Home Live AI & Visualization Classes Certificate Program Press Feature (KBB) Business of Home: Will AI put renders out of business? Visualization & AI Tools: SketchUp: sketchup.com Mydoma Studio: mydomastudio.com Canva: canva.com Google Gemini: gemini.google.com ChatGPT: chatgpt.com Industry Events & Organizations: IDS - Interior Design Society interiordesignsociety.org KBIS – Kitchen & Bath Industry Show: kbis.com ASID: asid.org High Point Market: highpointmarket.org A + D Summit for Photographers in Austin March 4-6- https://www.ad-photosummit.com/ Use code JENNA for $500 off. LuAnn Nigara / LuAnn University: luannnigara.com Final Thought AI images are a power tool for marketing and quick visualization, but they are not a substitute for professional space planning and real-world experience. If you’re ready to streamline your visuals and stop losing days to 3D modeling for every project, this episode is for you. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with the latest tips and tools for designers!
S3 · E68
January 16 · 48 min
Episode 68: The Internet Is Dead, Stop Trusting the Feed
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 why social media no longer feels truly social. This episode is not about abandoning the internet entirely. It’s about awareness, boundaries, and knowing where real connection actually happens now. Jenna shares why in person relationships, private communities, and intentional visibility matter more than ever, especially for designers navigating AI, marketing fatigue, and constant noise. You’ll also hear how AI fits into this conversation in a practical way. When used intentionally, AI can give you time back instead of pulling you deeper into the scroll. The goal is not replacement, but support. Less busywork, more real life. If you’re looking to learn how to use AI without losing your voice, your values, or your humanity, explore the AI classes and certificate programs available at: This episode is a reset. Stop trusting the feed. Start trusting real humans, real experiences, and your own discernment. Take an AI class with me this fall. Open enrollment classes are now available for Q1 through March! aiforinteriordesigners.ai/classes Waitlist for Q2 Certificate Program is also filling up quickly (see the class page to join it).
#69
January 9 · 38 min
EP 67: Touch Grass, Save Your Sanity
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 approach to visibility, community, and business this year. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why posting daily on social media is unsustainable long term How AI saturation is changing how content feels online Why “2026 is the new 2016” resonates right now The difference between using AI as a tool versus letting it consume your life Why in‑person industry events matter more than ever How collaboration is helping firms stay resilient Where AI actually saves time inside a design business Updates on the AI Certificate Program and upcoming open enrollment classes This episode is a reminder that AI should give you time back, not take away your humanity. Use the tools, then log off and go be a person again. Links mentioned: AI Certificate Program: https://www.aiforinteriordesigners.ai/ Swink Social: https://www.swinksocialco.com/ IDS Charleston: https://idscharleston.org
#68
Dec 19, 2025 · 39 min
EP 66: What's next for 2026 in the World of AI for Interior designers?
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. What you’ll learn in this episode 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 closing, and how collaboration, consulting teams, and strategic partnerships are helping others stay profitable and resilient. Why “free prompts for everyone” is harming the industry, and how to think more strategically about who you follow, what you support, and how you protect your expertise. How AI is changing from simple chat and image tools into full-on custom apps, dashboards, and systems built by designers, for designers—with workflows tailored to real design processes. A peek inside Jenna’s AI App Studio, including examples like proposal builders, paint schedule generators, and other tools that eliminate repetitive tasks and cut hours off your week. What “agentic AI” actually means in plain language, and how agents and multimodal tools (text, images, audio, video, documents) will soon be quietly embedded into almost everything you use. How leading studios are using AI to augment, not replace, creativity—like training models on a designer’s lifetime of sketches to rapidly generate new product ideas and prototypes. The critical difference between designers who let AI flatten their voice and designers who use AI to amplify their originality, storytelling, and thought leadership. Why 2026 is the year to take tech into your own hands, reduce bloated subscriptions, and start building (or using) bespoke tools that you own and control. Powerful reflection questions to ask yourself over the holiday break about your process, pricing, deliverables, ideal clients, and how AI can support the business you actually want to run. Key themes Jenna covers Protecting the profession: Why Jenna gates certain content, focuses only on professionals, and refuses to hand powerful tools to homeowners in ways that undermine designer livelihoods. Building your own ecosystem: How an industry-owned AI app studio can help designers cancel unnecessary tools, centralize workflows, and keep data and innovation inside the design community. Redefining “tech person”: Why some of the best adopters of AI are self-described “non-techy” creatives who see new possibilities, not just new software. Owning your uniqueness: What it really means to stop following trends, set them instead, and use AI to speed up execution—not to copy what’s already all over Pinterest. Mentioned in this episode Google Gemini / DeepMind and multimodal, agentic AI flows. Lovegrove Studio / Ross Lovegrove DeepMind case study (YouTube): https://youtu.be/lULd8fmxJC0 AI App Studio for interior designers, including custom apps, proposal builders, paint schedules, and more. AI for Interior Designers™ Certificate Program (first semester beginning January 6; enrollment closing January 5) Ready to explore further? The DAIly – Short, searchable AI training videos and workflows for $29.99/month. AI CEU Program- www.aiforinteriordesigners.ai Resources: Events Resources About Private Trainings & Speaking: Private AI Trainings & Advisory Speaking Collaborations Press Community & Podcast: Podcast Episode Summaries Community Conversations Events Calendar: Events Calendar Account & Social: Member Login Instagram YouTube
#67
Dec 5, 2025 · 47 min
Episode 65: We’ve Hit the AI Tipping Point (And No, It’s Not Replacing Interior Designers)
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. In This Episode, We Cover: Why AI tools are giving homeowners a false sense of confidence How Gemini + Nano Banana are reshaping expectations overnight The rise of misinformation and AI-generated “sludge” on social media Real examples from current design clients using AI (successes + confusion) Why DIY AI remodels are about to create a huge wave of problems How designers can position themselves as the essential “AI rescue” The ethical issues big tech continues to ignore Why you must become non-copyable to stay competitive Links Mentioned AI Tools Nano Banana (Gemini Image Tools) Google Gemini ChatGPT Interior Design Resources AI for Interior Designers™ CEU Certificate Program The DAIly™ Workshops Podcast Listen on Spotify Other Mentions Daniel House Club IDS Charleston Bulbrite Lighting Work With Me Stay ahead of AI. Protect your value. Explore the CEU Certificate Program: https://aiforinteriordesigners.ai
#66
Nov 14, 2025 · 38 min
EP 64: Zero Click AI Searches- The Reason Your Website Traffic is Down
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: Why it’s more important than ever to understand your website analytics—and how to get started even if you’re not “techy.” The reality behind declining organic traffic: 60% of searches now end without a click, and 25% of small business site visits have dried up. How designers can pivot with long-form, authority-building content, FAQs, and real world case studies that set you apart from generic AI content. The crucial role of backlinks, referrals, press releases, and partnerships for visibility in AI-driven search engines. The new ways clients search (and find designers) using conversational AI and how you can stay competitive when AI platforms summarize your content for searchers. Practical tips to reclaim your audience: optimizing your site for both people and machines, getting creative with collaborations, and harnessing ethical digital strategies to protect your brand. Jenna also shares personal insights from her own Squarespace analytics, breaks down the data from industry sources like Forbes and SuperPrompt, and offers encouragement for designers to get empowered—track their numbers, embrace change, and build authentic authority to thrive in the evolving landscape. ✨ Ready to explore further? The DAIly – Short, searchable AI training videos and workflows for $29.99/month. AI Workshops – Hands-on, live sessions that help you apply AI in your business right away. Resources: Programs Events Resources Podcast About Membership & Workshops: Membership – The DAIly Workshops Private Trainings & Speaking: Private AI Trainings & Advisory Speaking Collaborations Press Community & Podcast: Podcast Episode Summaries Community Conversations Events Calendar: Events Calendar Account & Social: Member Login Instagram YouTube Tune in for actionable strategies on defending your traffic, amplifying your expertise, and making your voice heard in this new age of search!
#65
Nov 14, 2025 · 25 min
Ep 63: HPMKT Recap- The Power of Real Life Connections
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 and prompts—it was about community, connection, and remembering why showing up still matters. She also reflects on what it’s like to build something totally new (AI education in design) without a blueprint, how she balances tech with human interaction, and what’s next for 2026. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why this fall’s High Point Market felt so different—and what that says about the industry The behind-the-scenes of AI Day and what really happens when designers get hands-on with tech How digital note-taking and AI tools can actually organize your creative chaos The power of trade shows for real relationships (not just pretty product photos) A sneak peek into Jenna’s plans for the next evolution of AI for Interior Designers ✨ Ready to explore further? The DAIly – Short, searchable AI training videos and workflows for $29.99/month. AI Workshops – Hands-on, live sessions that help you apply AI in your business right away. Tune in now and rediscover why the best ideas still happen face-to-face. Resources: Programs Events Resources Podcast About Membership & Workshops: Membership – The DAIly Workshops Private Trainings & Speaking: Private AI Trainings & Advisory Speaking Collaborations Press Community & Podcast: Podcast Episode Summaries Community Conversations Events Calendar: Events Calendar Account & Social: Member Login Instagram YouTube
#64
Oct 17, 2025 · 28 min
EP 62: Preparing Design Students for the New Job Market with AI
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 tools like ChatGPT to boost productivity and handle tasks beyond design alone. Jenna addresses student concerns about the environmental impact of AI and urges future designers to stay informed, ethical, and proactive. She notes the market shift: luxury clients may fare well, but the middle tier is squeezed, with firms expecting new hires to multitask and leverage technology strategically. Survival in this evolving industry hinges on demonstrating both core design skills and a readiness to use AI for efficiency and value. Jenna also shares a candid outlook about the uncertainties ahead, the shrinking job pool for new designers, and the necessity to “bring something extra,” specifically AI fluency, to the table. She closes by encouraging students to seek continual AI training, stay adaptable, and focus on making a unique human impact that tech can’t replace. Key Takeaways: AI proficiency is crucial for design students entering the job market. Core design skills still matter, but technology skills set applicants apart. The industry is rapidly changing, and adaptability is essential. Students should be aware of AI’s ethical and environmental dimensions. Building a portfolio and starting to network before graduation is vital. The human side of design, personal connection and problem-solving, remains irreplaceable. Resources: Programs Events Resources Podcast About Membership & Workshops: Membership - The DAIly Workshops Everyday AI Masterclass AI Day at High Point Market (register) Private Trainings & Speaking: Private AI Trainings & Advisory Speaking Collaborations Press Community & Podcast: Podcast Episode Summaries Community Conversations Events Calendar: Events Calendar Account & Social: Member Login Instagram YouTube
#63
Oct 3, 2025 · 38 min
EP 61: Subscription Overload- How New AI Lets Designers Consolidate
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 needing a full dev team or a giant budget. Think: one streamlined app that matches your workflow instead of 10 overpriced subscriptions. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why cookie-cutter design apps are fading fast How today’s AI makes it possible for designers to build their own tools The dangers of locking into annual subscriptions too soon Why consolidation is the next big shift for creative businesses ✨ Ready to explore further? Programs Events Resources Podcast About Membership & Workshops: Membership - The DAIly Workshops Everyday AI Masterclass AI Day at High Point Market (register) Private Trainings & Speaking: Private AI Trainings & Advisory Speaking Collaborations Press Community & Podcast: Podcast Episode Summaries Community Conversations Events Calendar: Events Calendar Account & Social: Member Login Instagram YouTube

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