Graphagos: evolutionary algorithm as a model for the creative process and as a tool to create graphic design products

Official URL: http://192.168.1.20/record=b1304410 (Table of Contents)

Evolution is a substrate-neutral algorithm that creates design, working with three conditions: replication, variation, and selection. The memetic theory posits that elements of human culture are subject to the algorithm of evolution as the memes that code for them are replicated, varied and selected. Within this paradigm, human creativity can be explained as an evolutionary process within the brain where random variations are unconsciously selected in milliseconds. Digital evolutionary algorithms are being used today to create design and to solve optimization problems. Graphic design, due to its functional nature, has the potential to be a very fruitful area of research and application for evolutionary algorithms. Gráphagos uses genetic algorithms to randomly mutate and replicate the designs according to a human user's evaluation. The program is primarily designed as a model for the creative process occurring in the system that consists of the graphic designer and the sketching medium. Gráphagos demonstrates how graphic design can emerge when random mutations are selected and accumulated. The program additionally offers a new tool for making graphic design. It may also be used as a tool for gathering data about our visual preferences.