8 Ways Covid-19 will impact interior design industry in Singapore
8 Ways Covid-19 will impact interior design industry in Singapore

Singapore is entering the phase-1 post-Circuit-breaker. We are glad and proud as one nation in Singapore to work together to fight for the pandemic. Now, as an Interior Designer, we must design a space that equipped with design to face such events in the future, of course, it is easier to said than done. Everything starts with a small step. Here are some of the impacts that possibly will change our design activities.

1. Design Requirements

People are starting to alter their life’s needs and approaching it with a new way of living. Namely, Work From Home solutions in residential include workspace, exercise space, or home theatre entertainment. In-office space, the company will adapt more Activity-Based-Workspace, which will be less of a traditional desk, more collaborative space but smaller office space. In commercial, integration of ‘digital’ operation that offers the most cost-effective overhead.

2. Renovation Pricing

When many ID firm are doing pricing war by outsourcing the skilled sub-con from overseas, now we will focus on Singapore based workers. The positive side is that we support local businesses more. However, This will bring the cost higher than before. Additionally, there will be other regulations to ensure safety in the construction site which contractors need to comply with.

3. Client Spending

Besides expecting the increase of the renovation cost, the client is more willing to spend the premium to get something done ‘right’ for their project, especially residential where people are expected to spend more time. Though, other business sectors such as retail, F&B, and hospitality are facing delays due to the impact of Circuit Breaker. We need to be ready to face the new norm with social distancing and no crowded place until the world officially announces for the vaccine of the Covid-19 virus.

4. Hygiene Design

Psychologically, color, and theme that promote reassurance and comfort will help people in uncertain times. This progressively will create a new trend in all design fields. If we heard about green design recently, we probably will soon discuss hygiene design. Any interior material that promotes good air filter or circulation, or lighting that kills the germs or technology that cleans the germs will be soon popular in the market.

5. Studio Operations

Designers will focus on a recession-proof system, there will be more presentations and communication with client conducted via digital. By now, people are adopting the usage of e-meeting and even the government is encouraging WFH if possible. However, for design consultancy, it becomes harder to protect its design digitally.

6. Workspace

The physical office will still be there to hold a meeting, but the culture of WFH possibly remain. All designers are more mobile with their laptops or tablet to sketch their ideas. Designers could start to adopt a paperless working style and integrate the cloud system in their office.

7. Design Events

The idea of a trade show is to meet the potential prospect or business partner in person. I predict people will still find a way to do it physically but ensure the social distancing rule in place. The events held by SIDS in the past 2 months has also been postponed until it is safer for people to gather again.

8. Marketing Strategy

There will be more innovation in presenting our product or service, mainly it will involve the digital world, such as social media, videos/animation, infographics, and images. In contrast, printing material will reduce drastically because the attention has switched to the digital world.