The effect of targeting both quantitative and qualitative objectives in generative design tools on the design outcomes

Abstract

Current generative design tools backed by artificial intelligence (AI) primarily allow for quantitative inputs while qualitative aspects of a design, in particular aesthetics, have been shown to be considered indirectly by designers. To explore this further, controlled lab experiments were conducted to understand how designers incorporate quantitative and qualitative objectives while using generative design tools and how their behavior may affect design performance. Thirty-four participants completed a design task with quantitative and qualitative objectives with and without generative design tools. The outcomes produced using generative design tools displayed a greater aesthetic diversity and expanded a larger portion of the objective space compared to those without using a generative design tool. Participants also expressed the ability to focus on the qualitative objectives by delegating the quantitative objective to the generative design tool. This showcases the potential for high-performing generative design tools to assist human designers by alleviating part of their cognitive load when balancing multiple objectives, giving them the bandwidth to focus on other objectives not fully incorporated by the tool. In this way, leveraging the expertise of both the human designer and the generative design tool can allow for greater consideration of various objectives throughout the design process.