Design Fixation and Intelligent Design AIDS

Abstract

Rather than replacing a human problem solver, computers are increasingly seen as intelligent aids to problem solving. In this role the computer’s capacity for storing and rapidly retrieving large amounts of information can potentially significantly augment human problem solving. In the specific context of design problem solving, this approach has particular attractions when associated with recent advances which allow the inclusion of graphic as well as textural material. Rather than simply providing information about principles and descriptions of examples of their use to solve problems, computers could generate sets of plans, perspective drawings and even sets of pictorial representations of actual design solutions to particular types of problems. However, while this may make such systems very attractive to designers, this very richness of information may produce a significant problem for design. Design fixation involves the reproduction of both appropriate and inappropriate aspects of an example design when the example solution is shown as part of the statement of the design problem. The results of the experiment to be reported indicate that the fixation effect does not simply depend on the pictorial representation of a possible solution to a problem. Rather fixation depends on the picture embodying principles which form a part of the knowledge base of the design discipline. It is likely that the cases representing previous solutions to a problem contained in an intelligent design aid would predominantly be of this form and could therefore establish the conditions for fixation to occur. While this could in fact be beneficial where routine design is involved, it places severe constraints on innovative or creative problem solving.