As we step into 2025, the design industry stands at the intersection of human experience, technological innovation, and renewed commitment to sustainability. To explore the road ahead, I reached out to three leading voices in the design industry – Ryan Anderson of MillerKnoll, Todd Heiser of Gensler, and Royce Epstein of Mohawk Group – for their insights. Together, we delved into emerging trends, forward-looking foresights, and aspirational wishes for the future of design.

Using a simple 3-2-1 framework (3 trends, 2 foresights, 1 wish), their perspectives reveal a collective vision for 2025. Here is a synthesis of their insights, paired with my analysis and foresights for the year ahead.
Three Trends Shaping the Design Industry
Sustainability and Wellness Focus — Sustainability continues to dominate the conversation, not just as a trend but as an industry imperative. Anderson pointed out the growing focus on low-carbon interiors as the climate responsibilities continue to grow in importance for companies. “Responsible sourcing of sustainable furnishings and more sustainable project delivery will continue as the top force impacting our industry,” he noted.
Heiser emphasized the connection between wellness and sustainability, highlighting the importance of spaces that incorporate natural light, biophilic design, and materials that prioritize health while reducing environmental impact. He also predicted that “the push towards sustainability will drive the use of conscious products and materials. Sustainability programs like GPS standards will guide these efforts, as designers increasingly prioritize materials that are not only eco-friendly but also ethically sourced and produced.”
Epstein went a step further, advocating for the “Culture of Care, which calls for healing architecture, regenerative design, rewilding in cities, and an expansion of care for people, place, and planet.”
The shift from sustainable to regenerative design reflects a more proactive and comprehensive approach. This evolution ties wellness and sustainability into a cohesive narrative that considers the well-being of both humans and the environment.
Adaptable, Intentional Destinations for Human Experience — As we learned that change is the only constant in this post-COVID world, the design industry is focusing less on fixed, single use spaces, shifting instead to flexible and adaptable destinations that enhance human experience.
Heiser described a shift toward vibrant mixed-use communities where people can live, work, and play. “Gone are the days of single-use spaces,” he stated. “The trend of creating destinations that serve multiple purposes will continue to grow, and we can expect to see more developments that combine offices, hotels, residential areas, and recreational facilities into single, cohesive environments.”
In the workplace, Anderson observed a parallel trend. Organizations are “modestly downsizing their office portfolios and creating smaller but better spaces, reinvesting in higher quality interiors that feel alive and support meaningful interactions among coworkers.”
These high quality, adaptable spaces reflect the increasingly fluid nature of how we live and work. Design must now cater to diverse experiences, creating meaningful human connection through intentional and purposeful destinations.
Technology-Driven Future Spaces — Design and technology are now inseparable, and technology will continue to shape how we occupy and interact with spaces. Heiser envisioned a future of smart buildings that adapt to occupant needs and the increasing use of AI and other advanced tools. He also emphasized the importance of “leveraging technology to address social inequities, creating spaces that are more inclusive and accessible for everyone.”
Anderson provided a refreshing perspective on workplace dynamics shift, influenced by workplace technology. He observed the “easing off hybrid, a shift away from overuse of the term ‘hybrid’ to more intuitive terms with clearer connotations such as distributed teams or video-enabled spaces.”
Epstein explored the concept of “sensory technology and shared senses,” where technology enhances our perception and experience through sensory design by using color, sound, and touch to foster deeper connections and create intuitive and empathetic environments. She also envisioned “prompted futures, where AI aids designers in visualizing and iterating ideas,” imagining that “AI will allow us to visualize what we can only dream of.”
While technology’s potential to transform design is vast, its true value lies in helping us leverage technology to create spaces that make us authentically human. The challenge lies in integrating these tools to elevate human experience rather than merely relying on their efficiency.
Two Foresights for the Future
Participatory and Inclusive Design — Collaboration and inclusivity are shaping the future of design. Epstein predicted that future design approaches will take the form of co-designing — a participatory design process involving diverse voices through workshops. “We can no longer afford to design as authorities and instead design as facilitators to be more inclusive of all people and communities surrounding a project. Inclusion and lived experience matter.”
Anderson echoed this with his workplace foresight: “Designing with, not just for, employees: more participative and innovative methods of engaging employees in the design process are needed to ensure facility design keeps pace with evolving work practices.” This approach “helps to mitigate the risks while fostering inclusion among a more diverse group of stakeholders.”
Co-design marks a pivotal shift in the role of the designers. Moving from sole authors to co-creators and facilitators allows for more inclusive and dynamic spaces that serve the user needs and deliver human-centered spaces.
Spaces That Enrich and Build Human Relationship — The future of design will focus on creating people-first spaces that make us feel better and foster human connection. Heiser envisioned “spaces that enrich” becoming integral to design practices in 2025. He predicted that “thoughtful design will create environments that make people feeling better — rested, relaxed, and fulfilled — while enhancing well-being and prioritizing equity and inclusion, ensuring that everyone feels welcome and valued.”
For workplace design, Anderson anticipated that “relationship-based planning” will become mainstream. “Most work activities can be supported in a wide variety of locations outside the office. However, meaningful interactions and relational growth are difficult to achieve remotely and are what people most seek from office spaces. New design strategies aimed at improving relational outcomes will evolve to complement activity-based working approaches,” he said.
These foresights signal a fundamental shift toward spaces that not only serve functional needs but also nurture emotional and social well-being.
One Wish: Aspirations for the Industry
When asked for their one wish for the industry’s future, the contributors shared profound aspirations.
Anderson wishes that “the industry learns to recognize (and ignore) the hype.” He calls on the interiors industry to resist hype-driven trends, advocating for a focus on evidence-based approaches: “The industry has embraced the false narrative that the primary purpose of offices is to support hybrid meetings. There is an abundance of data to suggest that people are seeking meaningful, productive, in-person interactions in the office.”
Epstein wished to expand design phases to include “more healthy, human-and-nature-centric strategies that consider sustainability, regeneration, equity, and using design for good.”
Heiser dreamed of a world where design’s problem-solving power is fully acknowledged: “Design should be seen as a critical methodology that can address some of the world’s biggest challenges, from social inequity to environmental sustainability. By embracing design thinking, we can create better, more inclusive, and more sustainable places to live and work.”
These aspirations highlight design’s transformative potential, showing how the power of design can tackle some of society’s most pressing issues while elevating the human experience.
Looking Ahead
As I reflect on these collective insights, the design industry is embracing the future shaped by human connection, sustainable mindset, and technology as an enabler. By prioritizing human experience, designers are crafting spaces that enrich lives, foster meaningful relationships, and promote well-being for both people and the planet. By leveraging technology as a tool for equity, designers are empowered to create empathetic, inclusive spaces while amplifying diverse voices through participatory design approaches.
By embracing the wisdom shared by these industry experts, we can approach 2025 with a renewed sense of purpose and creativity. Through the transformative power of thoughtful design, the design industry can move beyond mere aesthetics to create environments that inspire, connect, enrich human experience, and lead to a better world for all.
Here’s to shaping 2025 with collective vision and the power of design.
Editor’s Note: Yong In, IIDA, IDEC, NCIDQ, RID, LEED AP, WELL AP, Fitwel Ambassador, is a multiple award-winning interior designer and design educator with over 25 years of experience in spatial design and design strategy. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Purdue University and a Creative Director/Design Strategist at INxD Studio. As a whole-brain designer, Yong advocates for a research-based, science-backed, experience-driven, and people-first design approach.