InspirationGraph for Progressive Design Space Exploration

Text-to-image (T2I) models demonstrate strong generative capabilities and are increasingly used in design. However, their support for early exploratory ideation remains limited. Their linear, one-shot interaction paradigm aligns more closely with convergent, refinement-oriented stages of design. To address this gap, we present an interaction paradigm supporting early-stage ideation with T2I models, with a particular focus on novice designers. It introduces a dimension–attribute dictionary to guide prompt construction progressively and employs a dynamic, editable tree structure to help users organize and navigate their design space. Based on this paradigm, we developed a prototyping tool named InspirationGraph, focusing on the product design field. The results from a user study involving 24 participants highlight how this structured exploration approach supports divergent thinking and reduces cognitive load. We also uncover varying ideation patterns among designers and offer actionable insights into how T2I systems can be reimagined to better support the early-stage design.