Computational Design: Technology, Cognition and Environments

New computational design tools have rapidly evolved and been applied in the field of design, changing the process and product. This book explores the impact of these environments on design and designers, drawing on literature and studies from the 70s to the current era. It is meant for design researchers, educators, students, professional practitioners, and consultants, and people interested in computational design in general.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 242 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

In recent years, the field of design has witnessed a remarkable surge in the development and widespread application of new computational design tools, which have not only complemented but also largely replaced traditional design media and approaches. This transformative shift has led to a profound transformation of design as both a process and a product, as these innovative technologies have reshaped the way designers conceive, create, and communicate their ideas.

Understanding and assessing the impact of these new computational design environments on design and designers is of paramount importance in advancing design in the contemporary context. Do these new environments support or hinder design creativity? How do these tools facilitate designers' thinking? Such knowledge is crucial for the future development of design technologies.

Research has demonstrated that design is not a mysterious or non-understandable process. For instance, one general view suggests that the design process follows a common analysis-synthesis-evaluation model, wherein designers engage in a dynamic interplay between design problem and solution spaces. Understanding designers' thinking in diverse environments is the key to advancing design research, education, and practice.

This book aims to address the gap in the existing literature by focusing on emerging computational design environments, whose impact on design and designers has yet to be comprehensively and systematically studied. It is structured into three parts.

Part I provides an overview of the history and recent developments of computational design technologies. The main categories of technologies covered include computer-aided drafting and modeling tools, visual programming and scripting tools for algorithmic design, advanced interfaces and platforms for interactions between designers, between designers and computers, and between the virtual environment and the physical reality.

Part II delves into critical exploration of design thinking, particularly in these new computational design environments. Formal approaches are employed to analyze and understand the cognitive processes and mental models employed by designers when working with these tools. By examining the ways in which designers think and make decisions, this part seeks to shed light on the potential benefits and challenges of these new environments for design practice.

Part III explores the implications of these findings for design education and practice. It discusses the need for designers to acquire new skills and competencies to effectively navigate and leverage these new computational design environments. It also highlights the importance of integrating design thinking into design education curricula

In conclusion, the emergence and adoption of new computational design tools have had a profound impact on the field of design, transforming the way designers conceive, create, and communicate their ideas. Understanding and assessing the impact of these environments on design and designers is essential for advancing design in the contemporary context. This book aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse by providing a comprehensive exploration of emerging computational design environments, critical exploration of design thinking, and implications for design education and practice.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367774936