Aesthetics considerations in evolutionary computer aided design

The research described is concerned with establishing the aesthetic and functional evaluation of shape aspects within an evolutionary CAD modelling system. The approach uses genetic algorithms to evolve shapes by the successive ‘mating’ of objects through crossover and mutation of chromosomes describing geometric, aesthetic and functional aspects of objects. An evolutionary design system based on the genetic algorithm techniques generates shapes and the designer interacts with the system to identify shapes that should be used in the genetic creation of future generations. The current research is aimed at combining formal aesthetic and functional elements within the chromosome description of the objects and to provide computer-based fitness functions to work in conjunction with input from the designer to guide the optimisation of the evolutionary designs.