Inspiration or indication? Evaluating the qualities of design inspiration boards created using Generative AI

This study explores the application of image generative AI to support design process by creating inspiration boards. Through an evaluative study, we compare the diversity, quantity, fidelity, and ambiguity of boards generated by image generative AI and traditional methods. The results highlight how generative AI produces a quantity of images, it exhibits limited diversity compared to traditional methods. This suggests a tendency for supporting interpolation rather than extrapolation of ideas, in turn providing insights on best practice and into the optimal stage for its application.

keywords: inspiration boards; artificial intelligence (AI); design creativity; industrial design; visualisation

• with: Charlie Ranscombe (lead), Mark Goudswaard, and Chris Snider
• year: May 2023 – May 2024
• for: Proceedings of the Design Society
• download: Article