What Does It Mean To “Make The Real World Designable”?

Aug 27

Exploring how AI helps designers make the real world designable.

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 55 - “Measuring Success with Canvas I.O. and Sarah Bird”

“We want to make the real world designable.”
-Sarah Bird, Chief Product Officer at Canvas I.O.

The latest episode of the AI For Interior Designers™ Podcast features an insightful conversation between Jenna and the CEO of Canvas I.O., Sarah Bird. They delve into how AI-assisted tools can transform the design process, by empowering designers with technology that saves them time and allows them to focus on their passions.

Sarah’s phrase “make the real world designable” prompted further discussion between Jenna and Julia, exploring its meaning and its impact.

Jenna:

Before we get into the nitty gritty, I just have to say that this product is seriously impressive. I love how clearly Sarah breaks it down. Instead of designers having to spend hours manually measuring, redrawing, and double-checking just to get a digital version of a space, Canvas offers a much smarter option. It eliminates that friction by instantly generating a precise, editable model of the real world. Simple, intuitive, and actually useful.

Julia:

At first I was a little overwhelmed, just making sure that I understood how the tech worked but Sarah is very good at clarifying, making you feel at ease, and honestly- her genuine demeanor and positivity is just catching. It is obvious that she is very passionate about what she does and this company.

“I love the customers. We work with great interior designers, design builders, remodelers, draftsmen, and architects,” she said. “And I love the kind of problems where science meets art.”

There’s so much intention in that statement as it feels more like a philosophy. So the more that she talked and the more that I listened, the more it made sense and I started appreciating the process.

Jenna:

Exactly. The bottom line is that this process is both simplistic and game-changing. Basically, use your iPhone or iPad with LIDAR to scan a room (which they makes quick, intuitive, and accessible), then Canvas processes that scan into a CAD model that’s editable in tools like Chief Architect, SketchUp, Revit, and 2020 Design. So simple and yet how helpful and impactful is that for designers?!

Julia:

I expected limitations, but Sarah was clear: their models are accurate, like 99% accurate. She estimates they're usually within a quarter to half inch for small spaces, and about an inch off for full-floor scans. And she was transparent about when traditional field measurements are still advised, like for detailed cabinetry or countertops. When a company feels confident and comfortable enough to share those helpful tips, they are building trust right out of the gate.

Jenna:

Right?! That blend of realism and optimism is refreshing. She also emphasized the hybrid approach:

“And it became clear that Canvas was actually the real solution-software. It wasn’t about this hardware technology anymore. It was about solving this core problem of how much of a terrible effort it takes to do really great measuring and modeling by hand.”

Julia:

I think we can all agree that removing frustration carries value. She also explained how they still involve human oversight, cleaning up the AI’s scan output and tagging details like outlets, baseboards, and switches. Love that she said “They are getting to use LAR lasers and machine learning… but for their clients they are just making it as simple and as magical as possible.”

That balance of advanced tech and human empathy stood out to me.

Jenna:

And it translates into better client experiences. I appreciated Sarah’s point about the awkwardness of first-site visits, balancing professionalism and technical accuracy. Canvas lets you start that experience on a better note: quick scan, look professional, follow up with an accurate model.

Julia:

It’s a clear tension point. But beyond the tech, Sarah also brought it back to why great designers matter:

“AI doesn’t have taste. It has copycatting... which is not the same thing as taste.”

That’s a powerful reminder and supports everything I have ever heard you say Jenna. AI can hasten tasks but understanding space, light, and emotional resonance remains human and irreplaceable.

Jenna:

Absolutely. And Sarah beautifully encapsulated her ambition:

“I would just love to be the part of the process where we make the real world designable without compromising the accuracy or detail…”

To me, that speaks to a future where the creative process isn’t hindered by the mundane.

Final Thoughts (from both of us)

Julia:

As someone who’s cautious about tech, I often worry about automation overshadowing craft. This conversation, however, depicted technology as a partner—not a replacement. It allows designers to spend less time translating and more time thinking.

Jenna:

From my perspective, Canvas represents thoughtful AI integration. It removes friction, respects craft, and positions the designer—not the algorithm—at the center of the process.

Your Turn

What does “making the real world designable” mean to you?
Have you used Canvas or similar tools? What changed in your workflow or what reservations remain? We’d love to continue this thoughtful conversation below.

Listen to the full episode: Episode 55: Measuring Success with Canvas I.O. and Sarah Bird

First-time Canvas users can access a $100 credit using this link in the show notes

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