How Can AI Help Designers Make Better Use of their Data?

Sep 2

AI gives designers the tools to turn raw data into insights that drive smarter decisions and stronger client results

A conversation between Jenna Gaidusek, Founder of AI for Interior Designers™, and Julia Reinert, Founder of The Lifestyle Historian™

Based on AI for Interior Designers *Podcast Episode 56 - “AI & Product Procurement with Daniel House Club Founders”

Featuring Peter and Alexander Spalding, co-founders of Daniel House Club

This month, Jenna sat down with Peter and Alexander Spalding, brothers and co-founders of Daniel House Club, to talk about something most designers wrestle with: data. Vendor spreadsheets. Product images. Catalog uploads. Order tracking. AI isn’t just helping with the heavy lifting. It’s changing the way design businesses manage information behind the scenes.

From cutting down product request time from 45 minutes to just 5, to streamlining catalog consistency with smart image formatting, Daniel House Club is leveraging AI to serve designers in the ways that matter most: by freeing up time and not by replacing people.

Jenna:

Can I just say that I loved how open Peter and Alexander were about the realities of using AI. They’re not talking about replacing team members. They’re talking about lifting the burden of data overload so their team can do more meaningful work.

Julia:

Yes! When Peter said, “we massively accelerated their ability... and there's still so much to do,” it showed their commitment to respecting their team’s talents and roles and acknowledging the value that they bring to the table while making sure they had the right tools to complete the tasks that may fall outside of their passions.

Jenna:

Exactly. I think one of the misconceptions about AI is that it’s here to take over but in reality, it’s more like a tireless assistant. You still need judgment. You still need your voice. But you don’t need to manually comb through PDFs to extract product info anymore. As I mentioned in the podcast, the goal is to get more time back. We’re just simply trying to find a little bit more time in our day and better analyze the data that we already have using AI.

Julia:

That balance really came through when you all were talking about brand voice. It’s not about handing over your social media to a robot. It’s about using AI when it makes sense. I loved when you said you still prefer writing your captions yourself.

Jenna:

Yes and that’s what I hope more designers start to understand. You don’t have to use AI everywhere. Use it where it serves you. Use it for research, formatting, image cleanup. Not for things that require your personal connection, creativity, passion, or expertise.

Julia:

Even just the idea of standardizing product images using AI. Honestly, I hadn’t thought about how that improves the user experience and how much time it takes on a tedious task. It's such a small thing but makes a big difference.

“A lot of vendors will have kind of a beautiful backdrop on all of their images, but that doesn’t look consistent across the site. And we want your shopping experience to look consistent.”
-Alexander Spalding

Jenna:

Right? It’s those subtle friction points that people forget about. And Daniel House Club is paying attention to them. That’s why their concierge model is so effective: AI handles the chaos in the background so humans can continue focusing on exceptional service and getting those product requests taken care of in record time!

Julia:

It also sounds like this is still an evolving process. I appreciated that you and the Spalding brothers talked openly about trial and error with regards to prompting, refining, pulling back. I believe you had referred to it as a double-edged sword, finding that happy medium between the data you want to obtain from AI and AI’s limitations and parameters.

Jenna:

That’s why I call it a conversation. AI tools are powerful, but only when you learn how to work with them. Whether I’m inputting transcripts or diving into deep research with, I’m still guiding the process and so are Peter and Alexander.

“Yeah, I’m really excited about that and I plan on doing it on two of my quarterly goals.”
-Peter Spalding
(on implementing deep research through HubSpot)

Julia:

It’s interesting that Peter even mentioned planning to build deep research into his quarterly goals. That shows how AI is shifting from an “extra” to a core strategy for smart businesses.

Jenna:

And it’s a great reminder that AI isn’t just about saving time. It’s about better decisions, better research, and better outcomes. You just have to be willing to put in a little learning curve upfront.

Final Thoughts (from both of us)

Julia:

This episode made AI feel less mysterious. It’s not some magic fix, but it’s a powerful co-pilot for managing data and saving time. I’m starting to see how it can protect space for creativity, not replace it.

Jenna:

Absolutely. And what stood out most for me is how intentional Peter and Alexander are with their use of AI. They're not chasing shiny tools. They’re solving real problems for designers. That’s the future I want to help build.

Your Turn

How are you using AI to better manage your design business data?

Have tools like ChatGPT or Granola helped you stay organized?
Are you using AI for brand voice, image formatting, or product research?
What’s working and where do you still feel stuck?

Drop your thoughts below. We’d love to hear from you!

Listen to the full episode: Ep 56: AI & Product Procurement with Daniel House Club Founders

Not a Daniel House Club member yet? Learn more about their platform here

Want to explore AI tools for your business? Join the AI for Interior Designers™ community

Expert Resources and Next Steps

The DAIly Training Program - Comprehensive AI implementation for design professionals
AI for Interior Designers Podcast - Weekly insights and tool reviews
AI Interior Design Tools: Game-Changing Technology for Creative Professionals