Sketchplore: Sketch and Explore with a Layout Optimiser

Abstract

This paper studies a novel concept for integrating real-time design optimisation to a sketching tool. Although optimisation methods can attack very complex design problems, their insistence on precise objectives and a point optimum is a poor fit with sketching practices. Sketchplorer is a multitouch sketching tool that uses a real-time layout optimiser. It automatically infers the designer's task to search for both local improvements to the current design and global (radical) alternatives. Using predictive models of sensorimotor performance and perception, these suggestions steer the designer toward more usable and aesthetic layouts without overriding the designer or demanding extensive input.