Computer-Aided Interaction Design for Digital Media and AI Animation

The 21st century has witnessed an unprecedented acceleration in digital technology, significantly impacting various industries, particularly animation design. This paper critically synthesizes literature from the past five years to explore how computer-aided design (CAD) and artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping the animation industry by enhancing production efficiency, expanding creative boundaries, and influencing audience acceptance. Through a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design, the author analyzes 20 commercial animation projects produced between 2019 and 2023, comparing traditional workflows with those integrating AI/CAD technologies. The author's findings indicate that AI and CAD tools not only reduce time and cost, but also enhance artistic innovation and viewer engagement. Specifically, AI-driven rendering pipelines and procedural modeling have shown significant improvements in operational efficiencies and creative outcomes. This study provides insights into maintaining core creative values while harnessing technological advancements for future innovations in animation design.