The trade-off between design fixation and quality: Physical objects or multiperspective pictures?

Area of Science:

• Design Studies
• Cognitive Psychology
• Creative Processes

Background:

• Physical objects and images are key design stimuli, potentially improving quality but causing fixation.
• Prior research often used single images, limiting stimulus completeness compared to physical objects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate design fixation and quality in novices using multiperspective pictures versus physical objects.
• To compare the impact of different example presentation modes on design outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Two groups of design novices created designs after observing either physical objects or multiperspective pictures.
• Designs were evaluated for similarity, originality, and completeness by two independent evaluators.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in design similarity or originality were found between the physical and pictorial groups.
• Designs created from physical objects were significantly more complete than those from multiperspective pictures.
• Both groups exhibited similar levels of design fixation.

Conclusions:

• Multiperspective pictures can convey form information comparable to physical objects, leading to similar design fixation.
• Physical object examples enhance design completeness more effectively than pictorial examples for novices.
• Careful control of design example presentation is crucial for effective instruction of design novices.