THE COGNITIVE COSTS OF DESIGN TASKS: THE EVOLUTION OF COGNITIVE LOAD IN DESIGN AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH DESIGN OUTCOMES

Nicole Calpin, Jessica Menold

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Problem solving can be a cognitively intensive undertaking; as design is characterized by ambiguity and unknowns, design problems in particular can be cognitively expensive. Few studies examine the evolution of cognitive load during the engineering design process and the linkages between sub-dimensions of cognitive load and design task outcomes. To address this issue, the goal of this work is to establish a relationship between cognitive load, design task, and design outcomes. Twenty participants were recruited to perform a design task where their mental workload was recorded at each stage of the design process. Their ideation and prototype outcomes were then evaluated to determine if there is a relationship between cognitive load, design task, and design outcomes. Results suggest that there is a significant difference in cognitive load experienced by the designer during each stage of the design process and while cognitive load is correlated with idea generation design outcomes, it may not be tied to prototyping design outcomes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication34th International Conference on Design Theory and Methodology (DTM)
PublisherAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
ISBN (Electronic)9780791886267
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022
EventASME 2022 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, IDETC-CIE 2022 - St. Louis, United States
Duration: Aug 14 2022Aug 17 2022

Publication series

NameProceedings of the ASME Design Engineering Technical Conference
Volume6

Conference

ConferenceASME 2022 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, IDETC-CIE 2022
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySt. Louis
Period8/14/228/17/22

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Computer Graphics and Computer-Aided Design
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Modeling and Simulation

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