The Effects of Generative AI on Design Fixation and Divergent Thinking

The study presented in the 2024 CHI Conference proceedings investigates the impact of generative AI on design fixation and divergent thinking during visual ideation tasks. Conducted with 60 participants, the research reveals that using AI-generated images can lead to increased design fixation, resulting in fewer ideas, reduced variety, and lower originality compared to traditional inspiration sources like Google Image Search. The findings suggest that fixation occurs due to the way prompts are created and how participants respond to AI outputs. The study highlights the dual role of AI in design: while it can provide inspiration, it may also anchor designers to initial ideas, limiting their creative exploration. The authors propose strategies to mitigate design fixation when using AI tools, emphasizing the need for careful prompt formulation and interaction methods to enhance the effectiveness of AI in supporting ideation. Overall, the research contributes to understanding how generative AI influences creativity in design contexts and suggests directions for future AI tool development.

- Generative AI can increase design fixation, limiting creative output.

- Participants using AI produced fewer and less original ideas than those using traditional sources.

- The effectiveness of AI in ideation depends on prompt creation and interaction strategies.

- Strategies are needed to mitigate fixation when using AI tools in design.

- The study provides empirical evidence on the role of AI in supporting or hindering creativity.