DESIGN EXPLORATION WITH USELESS RULES AND EYE TRACKING

Shape reinterpretation is an essential component in design generation and exploration. However, computational design tools, such as computer-aided design systems, offer poor support for shape reinterpretation and, as a result, do not provide effective support for design ideation. A key difficulty in realising systems that support shape reinterpretation is the issue of interface - how can a user guide a system with respect to their interpretations of a shape? In this paper, research is presented that explores this question through the development of a software prototype. The prototype uses identity shape rules (so-called 'useless rules') and eye tracking to support the creation and manipulation of shapes. The paper presents theoretical developments that have informed development of the prototype, including outcomes of a series of eye tracking studies. The software prototype builds on the results from these studies and uses gaze data in combination with traditional mouse-based input to restructure designed shapes based on the visual attention of the users, so that manipulation according to the users' interpretations is afforded.