Searching for designs in-between: exploration of design space using a 3D printing-inspired evolutionary system.

The use of evolutionary methods in design and art is increasing in diversity and popularity. Approaches to using these methods for creative production typically focus either on optimisation or exploration. In this paper we introduce an evolutionary system for design that combines these two approaches, enabling users to explore landscapes of design alternatives using design-oriented measures of fitness, along with their own aesthetic preferences. We test our methods using a biologically-inspired generative system capable of producing 3D objects that can be exported directly as 3D printing toolpath instructions. For the search stage of our system we combine the use of the CMA-ES algorithm for optimisation and linear interpolation between generated objects for feature exploration. We investigate the system's capabilities by evolving highly fit artefacts and then combining them with aesthetically interesting ones.