A new frontier in design studio: AI and human collaboration in conceptual design

Abstract

This study explores the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the conceptual design phase of interior design education, focusing on AI's potential to help students visualise and refine creative ideas. Conducted within a design studio course, the research integrates text-to-image generators, particularly Midjourney to support students' design processes. Implemented in the fourth week of a 14-week course, a structured workshop introduced students to Midjourney, with surveys conducted both at this stage and during the final submission to capture changes in student perspectives. Using a two-phase case study involving a workshop, surveys, and interviews among senior undergraduate students in the bachelor's program of the Interior Architecture and Environmental Design Department, the study assesses the impact of AI prompts, from simple keywords to detailed narratives, on concept development and project outcomes. Findings indicate that AI broadens design possibilities, facilitates iterative ideation, and improves conceptual precision through high-fidelity visualizations. While students view AI as a valuable addition to their creative process, they also express concerns about ethics and the need to balance AI's benefits with preserving design authenticity. This research contributes to the broader discussion on AI's role in design, advocating for a balanced integration that respects both technological potential and human creativity.

Keywords

Artificial intelligence / Design process / Conceptual development / Interior design education / Text-to-image generation

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The Author(s). Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Higher Education Press and KeAi.