A UX research study on the Generative Design Workflow to understand novice learners' mental models and design recommendations.
Leading & Developing an independent research protocol, conducting all User Research, Analysis & providing design recommendations.
3 Months - Ongoing
This project was an independent research in evaluating the Generative Design AI workspace in Autodesk Fusion 360.
An integrated cloud based platform for CAD, CAM, CAE, PCB & PDM core for designers, engineers and machinists and teams working across product development lifecycle.
Generative Design AI focuses on incorporating Artificial Intelligence algorithms to generate & optimize design options in CAD.
Evaluating novice users' mental models and workflow expectations when they are in the process of using Generative design in Autodesk Fusion 360.
By conducting user research through the means of focus group studies with engineering students privy to 3D CAD tools but novices to the Generative Design workspace.
This section explains knowledge about the Autodesk Fusion 360 workspaces & tools for individuals who are not privy with the platform.
This workspace is primarily divided into three regions and is primarily used to add & assign parameters to the Generative Study subsequently leading to generation of various solutions.
This workspace is primarily divided into four regions and is primarily used to develop geometries through the conventional processes of CAD.
There are various ways of using the Generative Design pipeline but this is the most conventional high level process used to generate various solutions.
Various parameters assigned within the space have been explained here to provide more context about the subsequent research and design for the project.
%201.png)
Any geometry which is yellow in color indicates to the software that it has to use this geometry as the base value for further calculations.
%203.png)
Any geometry which is green in color indicates to the software that the geometry is to be left untouched and is supposed to remain in the 3D form it has been originally designed.
%201.png)
Any geometry which is red in color indicates to the software that there cannot be any geometry generated in the 3D volumes which are occupied by the red geometries.
%201.png)
Any physics parameters such as loads or constraints are assigned using these tools.
A structured research approach including activities like Literature Reviews to develop a strong foundational knowledge, and subsequently User Research as a primary method to identify and understand how novice users approach the Generative Design workspace.
Understanding tools and chronology within the Generative Design toolbar.
Prior to conducting Focus Groups - conducting literature reviews to understand learning models, cognitive theories and technology acceptance models.
2 rounds of Focus group sessions with Undergraduate & Graduate Engineering Students.
The toolbar has various options which are directly needed for the Generative Design process, where some options are for knowledge and learning about the space.
These tools are basal needs for the overall process of setting parameters for Generative Design studies.
These tools are optional but good to have in advanced Generative Design Studies.
These tools are good to have in terms of assisting the study, however not needed all the time.
These options here are usually accessible from other places in the overall software interface.
A structured Literature Review to understand the research which has already been conducted, as well as reference methods.
The User Study helped decipher the most important insights and themes which were subsequently used to design the interventions.
This user flow is referenced to provide context about how a learned user would navigate through the interface to produce Generative Design Results.
Insights ranged from overarching themes to targeted mental models regarding Generative Design workflows.
When analyzed the Focus Group studies revealed a plethora of information however four key themes stood out as overarching themes.
Users approach CAD processes though a 'Trackback' activity, breaking down required geometries into smaller elements.
Users reflected the mental models from the 'Design' workspace into the 'Generative Design' workspace.
The logical order of tools within the conventional CAD workspace is generally arranged in a left - right manner, due to which the existing mental model of users has developed.
There is no inherent logical order reflected to a novice user, hence users utilize their existing mental model to associate the logical orientation of tools is supposed to be left - right.
The lack of visual cues/tools indicating that the user needs to 'create parameter bodies' in Generative Design causes confusion. This contributes to the steep learning curve.
The expert user would use the 'Edit Model' tool to add parameter bodies, however they have developed the knowledge through experience, leaving the novice user in confusion.
Two primary design goals were established through the research which would reduce the steepness of the learning curve for novice users.
The first direction was towards improving the grouping of tools and UX copy to provide more context to the novice user.
To contextualize the 'Parameter Modeling' process even more, what if the functionality of the 'Edit Model' tool was bifurcated?
A refined toolbar geared towards greater context so that novice users can understand modeling intent in the 'Parameter Geometry' section to navigate & utilize the Generative Design workspace with greater ease.
Testing is still an ongoing process for this project and will be updated soon!
