Tellez, F.A. (2023). Exploring A.I. in design education: Enhancing ideation with A.I. text-to-image generators in digital design courses. IDSA Education Symposium, International Design Conference 2023. New York, NY.

Abstract

The rapid emergence of A.I.-powered applications is transforming most industries, including design. This paper investigates the integration of A.I. text-to-image generators—programs that use A.I. to create new images—in design education to better understand their potential and limitations.

As a curricular innovation in an introductory course in digital design, the author introduced Midjourney–an A.I. image generator–to expand the ideation process students follow in a design project. Two cohorts of 100 undergraduate students in Industrial, Interior, and Apparel Design experienced using this tool as part of their workflow in one project.

Results showed that A.I. image generators improved students' visualization capabilities, facilitated unexpected creative outputs, and promoted equity and inclusion within the classroom. Additionally, A.I. image generators enhanced student collaboration and communication, fostering a dynamic learning environment.

As A.I. continues to influence design practice and design education, the author argues that it is essential for educators to remain informed, explore with their students the possibilities, limitations, and ethical considerations of A.I. tools, and, ultimately, contribute to shaping the responsible and innovative use of A.I. in the future of design practice.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Text-to-Image Generation, Design Education, Ideation, Digital Design.

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