Exploring the use of generative text AI in design creativity inquiries

This study explores the role of text-based Generative AI tools in promoting creativity among students in a creative design course. The research focus is on how AI can aid and stimulate human imagination, particularly in the context of non-design students. Through structured inquiries, students devised prompts, engaged with AI tools and iterated on the outputs to refine their creative ideas. The study highlights the coherence of student narratives, with many demonstrating logical progression from initial prompts to refined concepts. Peer evaluations were employed to assess creativity across dimensions such as originality, practicality, surprise, and relevance. Thematic analysis revealed themes such as seriousness of the futuristic, technicality of the inquiry and playful entertainment, with many students focusing on sustainability and technical feasibility. The findings suggest that while AI can inspire creative and novel ideas, there are limitations in terms of coherence and purpose in some designs. Finally, this research highlights the potential for Generative AI to support humans in creative processes, while also pointing out areas for further exploration regarding the synergy between human and machine creativity.