Shaping AI as the Tool for Subconscious Design

Abstract

The whole process of human evolution is dynamic in the interaction with tools, as a designer, there is no doubt that we benefit from the digital tool - CAD (computer aid design) in the design process. But most of the tools are only the extension of our hand which reduce the repeating job, increase the efficiency, and help us create diverse outcome as quick as possible. This way of tools making bring us into the era of Mass-production and laid the foundation of modern design.

There is always a limitation for increasing the efficiency based on the First Principles [1], because the physical workflow is tangible. But the value of a designer is never about efficiency, it’s about creativity and perception about the humanity. When the “design one and fit all” model hit its ceiling, we need to improve with another direction, which is the perception a deeper perception of the people and merging it into the early design process. Therefore, a new generation of tools will be required. Artificial Intelligent, especially the Neural Networks is a viable tool to generate the potential vision and form that driven by the data from the customers.

In this thesis, we take the machine learning model training project as an example. Proposing how to create Artificial intelligence tools/assistants, which helping bring the conscious/unconscious need of the customer into the beginning of the kitchen design and make the Mass-customization becoming a real-time experience. The outcome is a Machine Learning model which is suggestive assistant for the customer/designer to explore the form of the kitchen.