The impact of computer-based support on product designers' search for inspirational materials

摘要

This paper considers the impact of computer-based support on the task of identifying inspirational materials as part of the process of creative product/commercial design. A model of creative design is presented. Using this as a basis, implications for the location of inspirational materials are examined. In particular, the value of structure and diversity in the organisation of retrieved information is explored. Relevant results from interviews with designers and laboratory tests of student designers are discussed. Implications are presented for of optimisation of computer-based support for this task.