WIP: Generative vs. Traditional Computer-Aided Design-How Design Tools Impact CAD Artifact Quality

This work-in-progress research paper explores the effects of generative AI design tools on engineering students' design artifacts during computer-aided design (CAD) tasks with the objective to better understand the impact of emergent design tools on design artifacts to better inform the development of curriculum surrounding generative design. Our research explored the question: to what extent does engaging in generative design produce a different quality artifact as compared to traditional design? This study utilized a mixed methods approach to compare students' <tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">$(\mathrm{n}=20)$</tex> CAD artifact quality between two separate tasks; one completed with traditional parametric modeling and the other with generative design tools. Preliminary findings indicate that students produced a significantly higher quality design artifact using generative design as compared to artifacts created using traditional parametric methods.