On Knowledge Level Theories of Design Process

Abstract

AI in design research is a mixture of scientific and engineering activities, with the emphasis on the latter. So far, almost all of this work has been carried out in the absence of usable theories of design process. Yet, as in other areas of technological development and application, such theoretical understanding could make a big difference to the effectiveness and applicability of the techniques and systems developed. The paper first briefly reviews the nature of theories in science, and the nature of the design process with respect to this. It then reviews some important problems with attempts to understand design in terms of cognition in AI in design research. It suggests that what we need instead are knowledge level theories of the design process. It also identifies the need for greater care and precision in the use of the terms theory, model, method, and description in the field. It ends by identifying some important benefits the development, testing, and use of knowledge level theories of design process could have on the field of AI in design as a whole