Impact of connectionist systems on design

摘要

The paper presents a discussion of the application of connectionism to design. The understanding provided by connectionism as to how designers actually design (cognitive modelling) is considered to be relatively minor. A challenge is therefore presented to the mechanistic metaphors on which cognitive modelling is based. In keeping with post-rationalistic views of cognition, design is well described in terms of noncomputable metaphors such as ‘play’ and ‘dialogue’. This view relegates connectionism (and other artificial intelligence paradigms) to the realm of techniques for the development of tools, and it curbs their use as explanatory devices. In this light, some important features of connectionist systems are presented, and their use as the basis of design tools is explored.