SYNERGISTIC DESIGN: THE FUSION OF GENERATIVE AI AND CONVENTIONAL IDEATION APPROACHES

The traditional ideation techniques used in complex engineering design challenges have been practiced for a long time. However, with the advent of generative AI, numerous supporting tools have emerged, some of which attempt to mimic cognitive processes. To explore how AI tools can be integrated into the early design phase, an ideation bootcamp was set up. This bootcamp examined the input values from a human collaborative technique known as “Brainwriting” and two forms of AI tools: one focused on text and the other on visuals. Designed to equip students with a better understanding of how to utilise and benefit from AI-powered design tools, the activity showcased the significant potential of merging human creativity with machine intelligence. Participants, 22 fifth year engineering design students, engaged in a multifaceted ideation process, leveraging insights from the Brainwriting activity using paper and pen before moving on to test the AI-powered tools, Copilot (text) and Vizcom (visuals). While the Brainwriting method encouraged collective brainstorming and idea generation, Copilot provided detailed feedback and suggestions for refinement, enhancing the quality and direction of the ideas. Meanwhile, Vizcom offered visual representations of these early phase ideas, promoting rapid prototyping and iterative exploration, some visualised concepts being quite out-of-the-box.