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INDUS-2320-2: Investigative Studio: Designing with AI: Circular Design Futures

Spring 2025

Subject: Industrial Design
Type: Studio
Delivery Mode: In-Person
Level: Undergraduate

Course Dates: January 21, 2025 — May 12, 2025
Meetings: Wed 9:00AM-03:00PM, Main Bldg - S12
Instructor: Brian Gulassa

Units: 3.0
Enrolled: 9/16

Description:

As you begin this journey into the world of design, I invite you to reflect on the significant impact your work can have in shaping a sustainable future. In this course, ID: Designing with AI for a Circular Economy, we will explore how artificial intelligence and nature's wisdom can be combined to create innovative and sustainable design solutions.

Imagine a world where products are endlessly recyclable, resources are used efficiently, and waste is minimized. This vision of a circular economy relies on your creativity, ingenuity, and ethical commitment.

Throughout this course, you will dive into the principles of a circular economy, exploring concepts such as waste reduction, resource optimization, and product longevity. You will also examine the transformative role of AI in various stages of the product lifecycle, from design and manufacturing to consumption and end-of-life.

By drawing inspiration from AI and nature, you will unlock the potential of biomimicry. Observing and mimicking nature’s strategies will provide valuable insights into efficient resource use, waste reduction, and product durability.

As you work on your design projects, remember that your creations have the potential to make a lasting difference. Integrating AI and biomimicry into your work enables you to develop innovative solutions that contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future. Your creativity, combined with technology and nature’s wisdom, can shape a world where design transcends aesthetics to encompass ethics, sustainability, and positive social change.

I am excited to see what you will create. Let’s embark on this journey together and build a brighter future.AI Tools for Design Thinking, Industrial Design, and Research:

  • Generative AI: Tools like DALL-E 2, Midjourney, and Stable Diffusion to generate creative ideas and designs based on prompts or constraints.
  • Natural Language Processing (NLP): Tools like GPT-3 for analyzing text data, understanding user intent, and generating human-like text.
  • Machine Learning: Algorithms to analyze large datasets, identify patterns, trends, and insights.
  • Simulation and Modeling: Tools like Ansys and Autodesk for simulating product performance and identifying potential issues.
  • Optimization: Algorithms to optimize design cost, efficiency, and sustainability.
  • 3D Printing: Additive manufacturing technologies for rapid prototyping and design iteration.
  • Virtual and Augmented Reality: Immersive experiences for visualizing and testing products in real-world scenarios.
Students will learn to use these AI tools to:
  • Generate creative ideas: Explore new design concepts and possibilities.
  • Analyze data: Identify trends and patterns in user data and market research.
  • Optimize designs: Improve product performance and sustainability.
  • Collaborate with AI: Work with AI models to generate insights and explore new solutions.
  • Develop AI-powered products: Create products that incorporate AI features or capabilities.

Pre-Requisites and Co-Requisites:

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