Knowledge Base Repository
In addition to research papers, the Design Society is developing several valuable resources for those interested in the study of design. These include a repository of PhD theses, a library of case studies and transcripts of design activities, and an archive of our newsletters. Please note that these resources are accessible exclusively to Design Society members.
FROM COPILOT TO CO-THINKER: SITUATING LLMS IN THE DESIGNER'S EVOLVING THINKING FLOW
Lu ZHANG; Xiaobo QIAN
Type:
Year:
2025
Editor:
Yong Se Kim; Yutaka Nomaguchi; Cees de Bont; Jianxi Luo; Xiaofang Yuan; Linna Hu; Meng Wang
Author:
Series:
Other endorsed
Institution:
Jiangnan University, China
Page(s):
234-241
Abstract:
The integration of Large Language Models (LLMs) into design practices is often narrowly focused on efficiency, treating LLMs as a mere "pilot" for executing tasks. This study proposes a perspective shift, advocating for a more nuanced, situational approach where LLMs are positioned as "co-thinkers" within the designer's evolving thinking flow. Through a comparative analysis of three design cases, encompassing brand strategy (Fuguang), product innovation design (Robam), and user experience research (Little Swan), we elaborate on how the roles of both designers and LLMs dynamically shift across different design contexts and stages of the design thinking process. Our findings reveal a spectrum of collaborative modes: LLMs act as a macro-scanner in strategic research, a creative provocateur in product conceptual design, and a reflective partner in experience improvement. Correspondingly, designers evolve from tool operators to guides of reflection. Furthermore, a dynamic designer-LLMs collaboration framework is proposed, leveraging LLMs' generative potential while navigating ethical considerations. This framework moves beyond a one-size-fits-all model, inspiring designers to maintain their critical leadership and act as multipliers in the age of LLMs.
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