Moderated by Jess Miles, Editor of SPACE Magazine, and featuring insights from Afsaneh Mehrai, Founder & Designer, Mehrai Design; Leanne Armstrong, Creative Director, Black Ivy Design; and Imogen Woodage, Associate Director, SpaceInvader, the conversation unpacked how technology is reshaping not only guest experiences, but also the design process itself.
As pointed out by Afsaneh Mehrai, “AI is approached as a collaborative tool rather than a creative replacement. It supports early-stage research, helps test ideas, and builds narrative direction that can be shared with clients. While powerful, it still requires careful curation and quality control.”
The Invisible Layer of Guest Experience
A key theme throughout the panel was the idea that the best technology in hospitality is often the least noticeable. “When integrated well, you shouldn’t notice it at all,” Imogen Woodage explained. “ Rather than dominating a space, technology should enable seamless functionality. In hotel guestrooms, for example, the thoughtful positioning of sockets, switches and environmental controls can significantly shape the user journey – often without the guest consciously realising it.”
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on Hotel Designs.
