Computers in the design process: Comparing creativity ratings of interior design solutions using pencil-based and computer-based design methods in schematic development

Computer-aided design has been integrated into the design process primarily in the latter stages as a drafting tool for detailing and accuracy rather than incorporated into the early stages as a design tool for enhancing ideational fluency. Pencil-based design (i.e., hand drawing and sketching) has traditionally been the graphic medium in the ideation process to aid in extemalizing and manipulating designers' ideas. The early, creative design phases require the design medium that is used during schematic ideation yield to the designer's needs in generating, communicating, and evaluating ideas (Marshall, 1992). The integration of the computer-based method into schematic ideation may impact the design process by possibly affecting the designer's creative abilities and the resulting creative aspects of the design solution.; This study examined the products of creativity to determine if differences exist in creativity ratings of design solutions generated using two design methods--pencil-based and computer-based--in the preliminary design phases. Interior design students (n = 40) used the two design methods and generated design solutions for a small restaurant project. An established instrument was used by eight design educators to evaluate the design solutions on creativity and six other design merit aspects. The process of creativity was also examined and the perceptions of the interior design students were assessed regarding the use of the design methods and the influences on creativity.; The results of both univariate (ANOVA) and multivariate (Hotelling's T{dollar}sp2{dollar}) analyses of variance revealed no significant difference between the design methods. Therefore, both design methods are effective in generating creative design solutions. The survey of the design students revealed no definite preference of one design method for use throughout the entire design process, however, the pencil-based design method was preferred for preliminary design development and the computer- based-method was preferred for exploring or modifying designs.; Implications of this study indicated that early exposure to computer-based design or a concurrent development of abilities using both design methods could enhance ideational fluency during schematic design. More experience with the computer-based method may also increase the use of the computer as an effective design tool and heighten creative abilities.