Design synthesis and shape generation
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leeds
Department Name: Leeds University Business School (LUBS)
Abstract
Currently available computer aided design systems enable the creation of digital product definitions. Digital product definitions are created after the bulk of [shape] designing has been finished because their creation requires a detailed knowledge of the shape that is to be defined. They offer benefits in two key areas: (1) they provide information to support (and sometimes au tomate) downstream processes such as analysis and manufacturing, and (2) incorporating changes in them is significantly faster and more reliable than in paper-based equivalents. The research that resulted in such systems was at its peak in the 1980's. It focused on the mathematics of the computational geometry that underpins today's computer aided design systems and on how shape, and related product information, is best represented for use in such systems.
We envisage a future where computer aided design systems enhance the act of designing products as opposed to, as is the case today, the process of defining product designs. The achievement of this vision requires research on how designers generate shapes and how shape computation systems might augment designers without impinging upon their creativity. This project will explore ways in which designers generate shapes in three design disciplines: art & design, architecture and consumer product design. By linking the search of the design space with grammatical representations to model, generate and move within this space, it is anticipated that insights into potential interplays between shape computation technologies and design practices will be gained.
We envisage a future where computer aided design systems enhance the act of designing products as opposed to, as is the case today, the process of defining product designs. The achievement of this vision requires research on how designers generate shapes and how shape computation systems might augment designers without impinging upon their creativity. This project will explore ways in which designers generate shapes in three design disciplines: art & design, architecture and consumer product design. By linking the search of the design space with grammatical representations to model, generate and move within this space, it is anticipated that insights into potential interplays between shape computation technologies and design practices will be gained.
Organisations
Publications
Alison McKay (Author)
Computer aided design: an early shape synthesis system
McKay A
(2011)
Computer-aided design synthesis: an application of shape grammars
in International Journal of Product Development
Prats M.
(2008)
Describing shape transformations in design sketches
McKay A
(2015)
Principles for the definition of design structures
in International Journal of Computer Integrated Manufacturing
Jowers I
(2010)
Shape detection with vision: implementing shape grammars in conceptual design
in Research in Engineering Design
Alison McKay (Author)
Sketching in design: formalising a transformational process
McKay A
(2012)
Spatial grammar implementation: From theory to useable software
in Artificial Intelligence for Engineering Design, Analysis and Manufacturing
Jowers, I.
(2008)
Supporting reinterpretation in computer-aided conceptual design
Title | Chase S, Lim S, 2008, 'Design Synthesis and Shape Generation' |
Description | Poster in Strathclyde University Research Day that included both academics and non-academics in the audience. |
Type Of Art | Artwork |
Year Produced | 2008 |
Impact | Research Day that included both academics and non-academics in the audience. |
Title | DSSG demo video |
Description | Video demonstrating DSSG vision and software prototype |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2010 |
Impact | Development of the vision contributed to the development of a follow-on grant: Designing with Vision |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgHRggF0BzY |
Title | Exhibit for New Designers 2007 |
Description | Exhibit produced by Leeds Product Design Masters students on how they had used project software and ideas to inform the design of Martini glasses in response to a Bombay Sapphire student design competition |
Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
Year Produced | 2007 |
Impact | The exhibit was seen by visitors to New Designers exhibition - 6th form students, industry and others |
Description | Leverhulme Trust |
Amount | £200,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | UNK |
Organisation | The Leverhulme Trust |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2009 |
End | 06/2011 |
Title | Data set from the experiments with designers |
Description | |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Provided To Others? | No |
Title | Shape detector demonstrator |
Description | Downloadable software prototype intended for use in research and education. The software uses Haussdorf Distance to embed subshapes into 2D designers' sketches enabling the automatic application of shape grammar rules. |
Type Of Technology | Software |
Year Produced | 2010 |
Impact | The software tool has been used in student education at Leeds to over 50 Product Design Master students and to support workshops with students in Spain. |
URL | http://www.engineering.leeds.ac.uk/dssg/downloads/requestForm.php |
Description | Conference workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | DCC 10 workshop. "SHAPE GRAMMAR IMPLEMENTATION: FROM THEORY TO USEABLE SOFTWARE" Sunday 11th July 2010, 14.00-17.30. Led to AIEDAM paper on Spatial Grammars and their implementation |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
URL | http://www2.mech-eng.leeds.ac.uk/users/men6am/DCC-10-SG-Implementation-Workshop-Agenda.htm |