As technology reshapes creativity, Nigerian interior designers call for a more human future

…as IDAN Marks World Interiors Day 2026 with Conversation on nature, Culture, tech 

As technology continues to transform the way people live, work and create, the Interior Designers Association of Nigeria (IDAN) used World Interiors Day 2026 to challenge a growing assumption of the digital age: that technological advancement must come at the expense of human connection.

Bringing together designers, architects, creative professionals, industry leaders and emerging practitioners, the event explored this year’s global theme, “Balancing Nature, Culture and Technology in the Digital Age,” through a series of keynote presentations, industry conversations and thought-provoking panel discussions that placed people at the centre of design.

In her opening address, IDAN President, Jacqueline Aki, who recently marked one year in office, urged practitioners to view technology as a powerful tool rather than a substitute for human creativity.

“Technology should never replace the designer,” she emphasized. “Its value lies in helping us make better decisions; understanding how people experience sound, light, movement and space; so we can create environments that genuinely improve lives.”

Her remarks reflected a broader vision for the association, one that extends beyond professional representation to ecosystem building. According to her, IDAN is committed to supporting designers at every stage of their journey, from students and emerging talents to established practitioners, while fostering a stronger and more connected industry.

The keynote address was delivered by Titi Ogufere, Founder of IDAN and former President of the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI). Drawing from her pioneering role in shaping the interior design profession in Nigeria and representing African design on the global stage, she spoke to the evolution of the profession and the responsibility of the designers to remain relevant, human-centred and culturally grounded in a rapidly changing world.

Tracing IDAN’s journey since its establishment in 2017, Ogufere highlighted the association’s efforts to strengthen professional standards, promote education and expand opportunities for practitioners across Nigeria. She pointed to one of the association’s landmark achievements; its collaboration with the University of Lagos to advance formal interior design education after nearly a decade of sustained advocacy.

While acknowledging the opportunities technology presents, she cautioned against reducing design to replication and trend-driven outputs.

“The role of technology is not copy and paste,” she noted. “We must be careful not to lose the soul of our profession. Design exists to serve humanity.”

One of the most compelling moments of her address came when she challenged common notions of identity in design.

“There is no such thing as an African designer,” she argued. “Just as we do not speak of an African doctor or an African engineer, designers serve humanity. Culture informs our work, but it should not limit our thinking.”

The conversation around human-centred design continued with technology entrepreneur and wellness design advocate Kehinde Awoyinfa, who examined the relationship between built environments and human wellbeing.

Referencing research showing that people spend approximately 90 percent of their lives indoors, Awoyinfa argued that designers carry a profound responsibility to create spaces that support health, comfort and performance. He highlighted the growing role of wellness technologies in improving air quality, water quality, lighting conditions, sleep patterns and overall occupant experience in both residential and commercial environments.

For cultural leader and creative entrepreneur Qudus Onikeku, the discussion returned to a simple but powerful principle: people must remain at the centre of every design decision.

Describing the human body as his primary creative tool, the celebrated choreographer reflected on how every artistic discipline ultimately exists to serve human experience.

“When we remove humanity from the process, we remove meaning,” he said.

The event also featured reflections from Arc. Moniba Odunlami, Vice Chair of Nigerian Institute of Architects, Lagos Chapter; who emphasized the importance of integrating interior designers into projects from their earliest stages. Speakers noted that meaningful collaboration between architects, engineers and interior designers can lead to more efficient, functional and responsive spaces.

A fireside conversation moderated by intellectual property and entertainment lawyer Omotayo Abiode further explored the tensions and opportunities created by emerging technologies.

Interior and production designer Inioluwa Aiyemomi reflected on the emotional and experiential role of design, noting that lighting, much like colour and texture, shapes how people interpret and connect with space. While embracing innovation, she expressed a desire to preserve what she described as “the beauty of the process”; the thinking, experimentation and creative discovery that underpin meaningful design.

Tinuke Odunfa, an interior architect, emphasized the enduring value of human contribution in the design process. For her, the future of design does not lie in replacing people with technology, but in ensuring that technology continues to serve and amplify human ideas.

Awoyinfa echoed similar sentiments, encouraging practitioners not merely to adopt technology but to master it intentionally and responsibly.

Onikeku challenged participants to rethink their understanding of innovation itself, arguing that technology should not always be viewed as something imported from elsewhere. He encouraged designers to recognize and amplify existing local knowledge, systems and cultural assets as forms of innovation capable of addressing contemporary challenges.

The event also marked a significant moment in the association’s evolution with the unveiling of IDAN’s refreshed Logo. Revealed through a specially produced video presentation, the new identity signals a new era of inclusion, accessibility and growth for the organization. The unveiling was accompanied by an open invitation for aspiring and practicing designers to join the association and participate in shaping the future of the profession.

As conversations around artificial intelligence, automation and digital transformation continue to reshape creative industries globally, World Interiors Day 2026 served as a timely reminder that the future of design may not be defined solely by technological advancement, but by how effectively technology is used to deepen human connection, cultural relevance and wellbeing.

For IDAN, the message was clear: innovation matters, but humanity must remain the foundation upon which great design is built.

About the Interior Designers Association of Nigeria (IDAN)

The Interior Designers Association of Nigeria (IDAN) is the professional body representing interior designers in Nigeria. Established to advance excellence, professional standards, education and advocacy within the industry, the association works to strengthen the practice of interior design while fostering collaboration, innovation and sustainable growth across the sector.