User-led development of an Interactive Evolutionary Design system

This paper includes two distinct but related elements: 1. It raises issues surrounding how Interactive Evolutionary Design (IED) systems are developed and their adoption by industry; 2. It describes an existing IED system known as ‘Evolutionary Form Design’ (EFD). These elements are linked through the proposal that the EFD system can contribute to addressing the issues raised. The paper opens with the suggestion that investigation is needed into the disappointing uptake of IED in commercial industrial design. Preliminary enquiries suggest that awareness of the technology in the design community is minimal. Concern is also expressed with the apparent lack of end-user participation in IED development. Reasons for these issues are suggested. The next section provides an overview of the EFD system’s implementation within a CAD system, and its representation employing blended geometric primitives interacting through Boolean operators. Some distinctive features are then described: control of Boolean interaction, edge blending strategies, a team-forming algorithm and machine-based geometric and aesthetic optimization. The section ends by listing the system’s strengths pertaining to its suitability for use in the proposed user-trials and outreach activities that are outlined in the last section. Conclusions re-affirm that the described EFD system overcomes some of the perceived barriers to greater uptake in design practice and will be further developed via inter-disciplinary collaboration and greater user involvement.