D&T Education: an International Journal 2009

Gathering Empirical Evidence Concerning Links Between Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Creativity
Aede Hatib Musta'amal, Dr Eddie Norman, Tony Hodgson

Design and Technology Education: an International Journal, Vol 14, No 2 (2009)
PDF Url:http://ojs.lboro.ac.uk/ojs/index.php/DATE/article/view/249

Abstract

Discussion is often reported concerning potential links
between computer-aided designing and creativity, but
there is a lack of systematic enquiry to gather empirical
evidence concerning such links. This paper reports an
indication of findings from other research studies carried
out in contexts beyond general education that have sought
evidence relating CAD and creativity. It describes the
establishment of a framework for gathering empirical
evidence to support the analysis of links between CAD
and creativity, via the observation of creative behaviours,
which was developed from published literature largely
relating to the area of cognitive psychology. It notes some
initial research findings concerning the use of this
framework in analysing the use of CAD in postgraduate
design projects completed at Loughborough University.
These results demonstrate the occurrence of creative
behaviours in association with the use of CAD when
designing. Finally the significance of these results is
discussed within the wider context of design modelling.