Sketchplore: Sketch and Explore Layout Designs with an Optimiser

Abstract

Sketchploration is a novel concept of integrating real-time design optimisation to sketching tools, to enable interactive exploration of design alternatives. Although traditional optimisation methods can attack very complex design problems, their insistence on precise objectives contradicts sketching. Sketchplorer is an interactive sketching tool that uses a real-time layout optimiser. It automatically infers the designer's task and searches for local improvements, and global alternatives. Using several predictive models of user performance and perception, its suggestions steer designers toward more usable and aesthetic layouts. This facilitates the creative and problem-solving aspects of sketching, without requiring extensive intervention from the designer.