From designer to curator: cognitive and creative trade-offs in GenAI-assisted design
Open accessAbstract
This study investigates the impact of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) on creative workflow in digital textile design. Thirty-four undergraduate students completed matched pattern design tasks using both conventional vector-based tools and GenAI-supported workflows within Adobe Illustrator. A within-subject experimental design was used to compare the two approaches. Paired comparisons showed that GenAI significantly reduced perceived task difficulty and total workload and increased procedural efficiency. However, these gains accompanied by lower editability and weaker articulation of personal style, along with lower ratings of creativity, aesthetic value, satisfaction, and goal fulfillment. Idea generation felt easier with GenAI, but the breadth of distinct ideas did not increase, suggesting stylistic convergence rather than divergent exploration. Qualitative data revealed a redistribution of cognitive effort, as automation eased technical operations but shifted focus to prompt formulation, weakening expressive control. This reflects GenAI’s dual effect of enhancing procedural fluency while diminishing authorship. For effective integration into education, this study proposes structuring AI-integrated design into an exploration, refinement, and reflection phase, accompanied by assessment that documents prompt, decision histories, and human re-authoring of AI results.
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A controlled comparison in digital textile design found that GenAI reduced perceived task difficulty and workload, yet weakened editability, personal-style articulation, creativity ratings, aesthetic value, satisfaction, and goal fulfilment.
“A controlled comparison in digital textile design found that GenAI reduced perceived task difficulty and workload, yet weakened editability, personal-style articulation, creativity ratings, aesthetic value, satisfaction, and goal fulfilment, indicating that easier production can coincide with weaker expressive control (Jang 2026).”
From A Study on the Role of Midjourney, A Generative Artificial Intelligence Tool, in Enhancing Student Creativity in Illustration Design Classes (2026) · cites this paper as Jang 2026
Faster production can weaken personal-style articulation and expressive control when curation replaces sustained authorship.
“This result also fits evidence from GenAI-assisted design showing that faster production can weaken personal-style articulation and expressive control when curation replaces sustained authorship (Jang 2026).”
From A Study on the Role of Midjourney, A Generative Artificial Intelligence Tool, in Enhancing Student Creativity in Illustration Design Classes (2026) · cites this paper as Jang 2026
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- Authors
- Jang, S. Y.
- Affiliations
- Gachon University (KR)
- Corresponding author
- Jang, Shin Young
- ORCID
- Jang, Shin Young
- Venue
- Fashion and Textiles
- Published
- 2026-03-04
- Volume
- 13
- Issue
- 1
- ISSN
- 2198-0802 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W7133565055
- Cited by
- 3
- References
- 36
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3
- FWCI
- 44.16
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Locations
- Fashion and Textiles (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Funders
- Gachon University (Research Fund (GCU-202405240001))
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computer Graphics and Computer-Aided Design › Digital Media and Visual Art
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Visual Arts and Performing Arts › Cultural and Historical Studies
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Mechanical Engineering › Design Education and Practice
- Keywords
- generative AI, digital textile design, pattern design, creative workflows, cognitive effort, authorship, personal style, stylistic convergence, idea generation, procedural fluency, Adobe Illustrator, prompt formulation
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