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What Will Be the Role of the Creative Designer in Industry 4.0? Paintbrush to Pixel and Beyond—The Strategic Creative

As Industry 4.0 takes greater hold on the textiles and apparel industry, it is estimated that more than 25% of all work activities will be displaced by automation by 2030. But what does this mean for textile designers? Surely a robot can’t replace a designer! Designers have already moved from paintbrush to pixel, and while they won’t be replaced by robots, their roles will surely change. Read what textiles expert and WhatTheyThink Contributor Debbie McKeegan has to say on the topic!

Thursday, January 21, 2021

Image Credit: Amber Jae Slooten—The Fabricant

As the tools of textile’s Industry 4.0 transformation—AI, AR, VR, and IoT—gain traction, it is estimated that more than 25% of all work activities will be displaced by automation by 2030. In this new Industrial Revolution, where algorithm-driven processes and task-taught robotics will replace today’s machine operators, it is envisaged that the role of the creative designer will grow to assume new strategic importance.

In Industry 3.0, the designer has already made the transition from paintbrush to pixel, but in industry 4.0, with sales-driven algorithms, VR simulation, AI-driven workflows, and the onset of intelligent robotics, the traditional role of the designer will make another great leap forward.


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About Debbie McKeegan

Debbie McKeegan is the CEO of TexIntel. As a multi-disciplinary creative and renowned digital print pioneer, she holds over 25 years’ experience within the Textile manufacturing industry. An award winning Textile designer, and lifetime manufacturer of printed products for Fashion and Interiors, she has a unique insight that combines creativity with a deep knowledge of traditional manufacturing process and the essential application of disruptive digital technologies.

TexIntel is an Expert Resource that provides independent, authoritative, realtime advice to some of the most innovative creatives and emerging companies in the Home Decor, Fashion, Manufacturing, Digital Print, and Textile Technology Industries. https://www.texintel.com

Recent Articles from Debbie McKeegan

CASE STUDY: How Marimekko Turned Bold Prints Into a Global Blueprint—From the Banks of the Seine to the Markets of Asia-Pacific

CASE STUDY: How Marimekko Turned Bold Prints Into a Global Blueprint—From the Banks of the Seine to the Markets of Asia-Pacific

How does a fashion brand founded in 1951 leverage its legacy  as a springboard for growth, innovation, and responsible production, without ever diluting what makes it? This great story, compliments of textiles expert and WhatTheyThink contributor Debbie McKeegan, is worth a read! Read More

INDUSTRY INSIGHT: Synthetic or Human? Why Rethinking Your Marketing Strategy is Essential in the Age of AI

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According to textiles expert and WhatTheyThink contributor Debbie McKeegan, we are currently witnessing the single greatest shift in information retrieval since the invention of the search engine. The internet, once a library of blue links, is rapidly transforming into an oracle of direct answers. The challenge now is not how to use AI to do more—but to use AI to matter more. Read More

Interior Insights: Is your Interior Toxic? Game-Changing Materials Reshaping Interior Design’s Future

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Have you ever wondered if your interior is toxic? The industry is known for its use of toxic chemicals, unfortunately. Perhaps there's a way to create healthier homes while eliminating toxic chemicals from interior design. This article, provided compliments of Texintel CEO Debbie McKeegan tackles that possibility. Read More

Resilience Redefined: Preparing Supply Chains for an Uncertain Future with The Fashion Network

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In a recent masterclass hosted by The Fashion Network, leading experts discussed the critical changes required in fashion-related supply chains, noting that in a post-pandemic world, it’s no longer a question of if your supply chain will face disruption, but when, Provided compliments of Debbie McKeegan, CEO of Texintel, the discussion provides actionable strategies to future proof operations. Read More

INDUSTRY INSIGHT: Innovating Sustainability and the Future of Bio Materials with David Williamson of Modern Meadow

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David Williamson of Modern Meadow provides insight on an important topic in this article, provided compliments of Debbie McKeegan, CEO of Texintel. While the textile and apparel industry has traditionally had a heavy reliance on traditional materials like polyester and cotton, these fibers come with a significant environmental cost. He discusses how bio-based fibers could mitigate these problems. Read More

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