Public defence in User Interfaces, M.Sc. Lena Hegemann

The title of the thesis: Understanding and Supporting AI-alignment in Graphic Design

Thesis defender: Lena Hegemann
Opponent: Prof. Lydia Chilton, Columbia University, US
Custos: Prof. Antti Oulasvirta, Aalto University School of Electrical Engineering

The thesis focuses on AI alignment in graphic design. It specifically addresses how artificial intelligence can better support the creative process and the challenges that arise when user intent is unclear at the beginning of a design project and evolves over time. The study operationalizes requirements for AI alignment and evaluates models and user interfaces for this challenging setting where user intent is a moving target, and misalignment can hinder its development. Specifically, the thesis presents new empirical findings on design choices and how designers perceive and relate them to one another. These findings are conceptualized in two new frameworks: one for the process of color choice and one graph-based representation of graphic design decisions. Based on these frameworks, the thesis introduces two functional AI systems and user interfaces supporting graphic design and demonstrates their impact on alignment through user studies. The results apply to the design of AI features in creativity support tools for graphic design and related open-ended design tasks.

Key words: AI alignment, creativity support tool, graphic design, design process

Thesis available for public display 7 days prior to the defence at Aaltodoc.