2020 was a year like no other. The COVID-19 global pandemic seived out needs from the wants. In fact, many have created new ways of being. Foremost, time spent with loved ones has never been more important. Secondly, work from home arrangements heighten the importance of a comfortable yet versatile home for work and play.
As we begin 2021, Juz Interior reflects on what has been to inspire the next leg of our design journey.
Human Centred Design
We’ve always put clients at the forefront of our business. Our modus operandi has always been “How can we make a space functional yet beautiful for the client?” However, COVID-19 urged us to rethink the way we do business.
Certainly, contractors are the engines driving our firm and make home transformation projects possible. They bring creative concepts to life.
Foreign worker dormitories were the epicentre of virus transmission in Singapore. We feared the livelihoods and safety of our workers. Although workers with accomodations outside the dormitories were safer, the Circuit Breaker period was financially trying. The construction industry in Singapore was brought to a screeching halt. Hence, some workers made the difficult decision to leave Singapore.
Despite the upheaval of the past year, it has put fresh meaning into human centred design. Interior design as a business isn’t just about aesthetics and functionality. It’s also about the people who grease the wheels. For this, we’re grateful for what the 2020 has been.
Rethinking the Business of Interior Design
Because of the lull, we found ourselves thinking out of the box in terms of design and customer experience. We asked our team how we can improve as a firm. Secondly, what changes were needed for quality customer service.
Through our sharings, we found that our interior designers were keen on improving industry knowledge as well as educating homeowners on the renovation process. If you browse other articles on this blog, you’ll find invaluable advice. Interior designer Felix Yan shared how to make the best of HDB BTO bedrooms. Veteran Denise Chang shared her design thought process behind The Nexus condo project.
Another innovation motivated by necessity was the launch of the Designers After Hours Zoom Consultations. Teleconferencing has been such a gem in an age of social distancing. It’s convenient and eases any pressure off clients. Interior designers are also better prepared to facilitate discussions and draw up ideas to buzz with homeowners.
A third miletstone we’ve achieved this year is the setting up of our Pinterest page. Find behind the scenes 3D images to inspire your next project. You can even compare the mock up with the final renovation outcome to visualise the possibilities.
It’s true what they say. Necessity is the mother of innovation.
The Future of Renovation Post COVID: Improved Customer Experience
The lessons learnt in 2020 have been formative. As our society whittles down the important things, and technology progresses in tandem, we at Juz Interior have high hopes for 2021 and beyond.
COVID-19 has underscored the need for business agility. Additionally, it has underscored the need for the interior design industry to keep abreast of the latest technologies.
With the advancement of technologies to sort and make sense of big data, traditional business models will evolve. Customer experiences should be tailored to suit individual needs and preferences. For instance, in the interior design industry, big data and artificial intelligence could deal with customer inquiries. Customers efficiently find answers to common renovation questions. Thus, interior designers have more time on their hands to resolve issues on site.
Secondly, as pioneers of the virtual reality home tours in Singapore, Juz Interior believes we can harness even more benefits from this visualisation tool. Currently, virtual reality allows homeowners to be part of the creative process. Consequently, designers have more time to support the customer’s vision. For example, creating and designing furniture and accessories for Singapore spaces. Virtual reality home tours could incorporate these items uring a cloud-based software for a plug and play experience. Thereafter, an advanced customer relationship management could draw up contracts immediately. Consequently, reducing time for fabrication and speeding up renovation.
Although some may call this disruptive, we’re confident that this is what we need. To drive the economy forward. To drive the design industry to new heights by upskilling our workers.
From all of us here at Juz Interior, we wish you a prosperous and fulfilling 2021!
