Author: Steve Gustavson / Source: The Next Web
In 1961, Alan Perlis, an early pioneer in computer science, advocated that computer programming should be a requirement of a liberal arts education. He believed students of creative disciplines should learn programming, not so they could become programmers, but so they could learn more about how to construct and analyze processes — whether building an imaginary world for a video game, designing a brand logo, or telling a compelling story.
Fast forward to the present, where computation and creativity have become intertwined in the design process and Perlis’ advice becomes not just wise, but prophetic.
Computational design — which uses technology to design multiple experiences across multiple channels for multiple audiences — is now necessary to deliver products and services in a digital era. Yet, many design-led organizations are still resistant to mixing logical processes with creative ones, fearing that technology can stifle rather than heighten creativity.
It’s time for a mindset shift. With the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies, computation is radically changing how we design — from automating repetitive tasks to generating thousands of options instantaneously. And, its value isn’t just in making design faster, it’s also in creating better, more human-centric designs.
In Adobe’s recent Creativity in Business survey, 69 percent of creatives see their use of AI increasing over the next five years. Many are using computational design to automate processes, from generating templates and retouching photos to naming files. The question for design-led organizations then, isn’t if computational design principles should be embraced, but how.
As leaders, we must inspire our teams to see computational design as elevating creativity and the principles of design thinking, not hindering it.
Here’s the case I make to my teams.
Computational design opens up new creative possibilities
Design principles and computing principles have more in common than we often recognize. In both disciplines the focus is on communicating information, solving problems by approaching them from multiple angles, and overcoming limitations through creativity, efficiency, and innovation.
Computational design erases the boundaries of what is possible and opens up greater creative opportunities by enhancing the efficiency of the design process.
With the right technologies in…
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