An `AI in Design' View of Design
Problem Description

Input

What kind of information is given as input to the system?
Describe it in domain terminology:

e.g., dimensions, ranges for parameters, relationships between components, functions, etc.

and in terms of representation.

e.g., sets of values, constraints, dependency structures, etc.

Discussion. The amount and kind of initial information represent the `seeds' for the search for a solution. The input strongly influences the set of methods that are appropriate to solve the problem. For example, numerical data will point at different problem solving techniques than inputs conveying mainly structural relations between components. The representation of the input will classify the potential design methods from the point of view of knowledge they can handle: e.g., Constraints will call for constraint-satisfaction methods, sets of clauses will call for rule-based systems, while temporal data might need some planning techniques.

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