Empowering the creative design process through LLM-based support tools

Creative professionals (such as designers) have begun applying generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) models to their workflows, from text to image production. This practical adoption has been explored in human-computer interaction (HCI), which guides the incorporation of these models into creative design processes. While HCI research explores GenAI, an underlying wave of research is emerging, incorporating these models into Creativity Support Tools (CSTs). Our work aims to articulate the role of GenAI in supporting design creativity, an area that still requires research. This knowledge is essential for guiding the development of new CSTs. We contribute to this knowledge by developing an LLM-based CST with two interactive visualization interfaces (idea generation and evaluation). Through an empirical study with 18 participants (professionals and advanced design students) with design backgrounds, we demonstrated SAIESE’s potential to facilitate divergent and convergent thinking. We also identify opportunities and challenges of incorporating AI into the creative design process. Our results highlight the role and use of AI at each stage.