Introduction
Many industries have witnessed huge booms and busts throughout the 20th century. The most critical factor in this change has been the emergence of technology, which can work longer hours than humans at a much lower cost.
Despite the obvious human disadvantage and economic issues that arise from people losing their jobs, industries specializing in design, textiles and manufacturing had to get on board with the technological changes or risk being left behind by their competition.
However, it’s important to understand that not all of these technological developments have led to a negative impact on those working in the sector. Today’s focus on the woodwork and artistic textile industries should help to highlight how machinery has enhanced some elements of woodwork and design, helping artists and individuals to incorporate ideas that wouldn’t have been possible without the emergence of such advanced technology.
Casino and Gaming Industry
The design of casino tables has been revolutionized thanks to the technology in woodwork and artistic creation. Custom-designed tables are now far more accessible to manufacture, thanks to machinery that can often be programmed to perform several functions with minimal human oversight.
Casino gaming, particularly roulette gaming, has benefited so much because of the set structure of the table, meaning that technology can quickly adapt and produce a significant number of tables. A roulette wheel, one of the most iconic and recognizable objects on the casino floor, is synonymous with casino gaming.
Some of the world’s top casinos have used revolutionary woodwork designs to carve out custom-made tables for their casinos so that they can use them as part of a unique and effective marketing strategy. The success of a casino, be it online or land-based, can often hinge on the success of their marketing, including the familiarity of bettors with the logo, the casino design or the colors they use for their table and chips.
Woodwork design has transformed in such a way that casinos have been able to think even further outside the box and deliver innovations that can appeal to a wider range of customers. Likewise, companies that specialize in the design of other types of wooden games can think more expansively, beyond the usual parameters, and create products that work for their customers. Chess design companies have been able to explore new territory thanks to technology, and they now have a facility and an avenue to bring these ideas to fruition, resulting in a wave of incredible new designs.
Higher Productivity
With machinery and technology able to perform woodworking and creative design tasks without taking a break, this not only frees up designers for more niche aspects of the job but also means that woodworking and art companies can yield a higher return from their manufacturing.
This incredible growth in design has resulted in all companies that deal with woodwork design noting a significant increase in their output. Technology can mitigate against human error and mistakes made through overworking.
So, on the face of it, it might seem as though higher productivity relates to sheer output, but dig beneath the service and you can see that the impact is a lot more far-reaching.
AI and Art
There is a growing number of artists and designers who are concerned about the emergence of AI. In addition to its mounting sophistication, AI can now follow prompts and create long-form art and paintings, or design full-scale, fictional landscapes. In one instance, an AI piece of art won a competition and caused uproar within the art community. While nobody can dispute this is revolutionary, many are skeptical that the existence of artificial intelligence in the art industry is actually a good thing.
The potential developments are undoubtedly interesting, but some within the art and design industry feel that any art that isn’t human-created doesn’t actually fall under the definition of the word. Although this is an argument and a debate that will rumble on for many years and is likely to reach a critical stage only at some point in the distant future, these are legitimate concerns.
Conclusion
Revolutions can take many forms, and artistic creations and woodwork join a long list of other industries that are dealing with and adapting to immense changes. There are positives and negatives to how the industry has implemented technology, and it’ll be a case of finding the best model so that technology benefits woodworking and artistic creativity instead of hindering it.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Olivia Poglianich
Content Strategist
Olivia Poglianich is a nomadic brand strategist and copywriter in the wooden crafts and 3D product design space who has worked with brands such as Visa, Disney and Grey Goose. Her writing has taken her all over the world, from a Serbian music festival to a Malaysian art and culture event. Olivia is a graduate of Cornell University and is often writing or reading about travel, hospitality, the start-up ecosystem or career coaching. Her latest interests are at the intersection of web3 and communal living, both on and offline.
