Developing a Collaborate Process Between Generative AI Tools and Designers : From Idea Expansion Through Images to High-Resolution Rendering

This study explores the potential of integrating generative AI tools into the product design process to enhance creativity and efficiency. AI tools like Midjourney, Vizcom, Magnific, and Photoshop AI were applied across various design stages, including idea generation, sketching, high-resolution rendering, and final editing, to assess their roles. Findings suggest that these tools can go beyond simple assistance to serve as significant collaborators in the design process, providing an environment that enables designers to work more creatively and flexibly. Notably, they streamline the design process by rapidly generating diverse alternatives, especially during ideation and visualization stages. While AI tools show promise in becoming essential components of the design process, detailed tasks like functionality validation and user experience still require the expertise of human designers. Future research will focus on refining collaboration models between AI and designers and introducing text-based AI tools in the research phase to support data-driven design exploration.