The Integrated Design Innovation Group at Carnegie Mellon University led by Jonathan Cagan, focuses on the early design and problem solving process. Our research on computational tools, cognitive methods, product development practice, and biomedical technologies merges design theory, computational modeling and intelligent search.
Featured Talks
Recent Research
Trust in an AI Versus a Human Teammate - The Effect of Teammate Identity on Human-AI Cooperation
Automating Style Analysis and Visualization With Explainable AI - Case Studies on Brand Recognition
A deep learning, data-driven way to automatically learn brand-related features
Coupling Simulated Annealing and Homogenization to Design Thermally Conductive Hybrid Lattice Support Structure for LPBF
A framework to create hybrid lattice support structures by modifying simulated annealing and incorporating homogenization approximation.
Generating Coated DNA Origami Designs
Using an improved shape annealing algorithm, we can generate hollow DNA origami designs with porous walls.
Generating High-Order Linkage Graphs for Path Synthesis
Using Deep RL and Graph Networks for Linkage Design
A Mixed Reality System Combining Augmented Reality, 3D Bio Printed Physical Environments and Inertial Measurement Unit Sensors for Task Planning
Using Mixed Reality to Improve Surgical Training
Using Multi Agent Systems to Computationally Study Set-Based Concurrent Engineering
Understanding the impacts of Set-Based Concurrent Engineering on engineering design teams
Computational Modeling of Designer Proficiency
Understanding the differences in proficiency designers in engineering configuration design problems and creating computational models of these differences
Human & AI Hybrid Teams
Assessing the Impact of a Deep Learning AI on Distributed Human Design Teams
Human designers’ dynamic confidence and decision-making with an AI teammate
Understanding Decision-making assistance by an AI
Generative Design Using AI
Learning to design from humans: developing visual design agents
Computationally Facilitating the Problem-Solving Design Process Via Real-Time Process Management
AI Project Managers
Exploring the Effects of Adaptive Process Management on Design Teams and Design Problem-Solving
People
Graduate Students
Scotty McGee
AI Managers for Design Teams
AJ Vetturini
Computational Design of DNA Nanostructures
Mangalam Sahai
AI for Medical Diagnosis
Jennifer Evans
Machine Learning Applied to Problem Solving
Qihang Shan
GPU-based numerical methods
Yu Wan
Masters Student
Postdoctoral Alumni
Jay McCormick
(6/03-5/04)
Thesis: Shape Grammar Interpreters for Product Design
Now: Associate Professor at Rose-Hulman
Josh Gryory
(9/21-7/22)
Thesis: Computationally Facilitating the Problem-Solving Design Process Via Real-Time Process Management
Now: Consultant, Boston Consulting Group
Kosa Goucher-Lambert
(7/17-12/18) (co-advised with K. Kotovsky)
Thesis: Team-based Problem Solving
Now: Assistant Professor at UC Berkeley
A. Emrah Bayrak
(1/18-12/18)
Thesis: Game Theory and Control Modeling of Problem Solving Processes
Now: Assistant Professor at Stevens Institute
Ut Na Sio
(9/12-8/17) (co-advised with K. Kotovsky)
Thesis: Team-based Problem Solving
Now: Assistant Professor at The Education University of Hong Kong
Chris McComb
(8/16-8/17) (co-advised with K. Kotovsky)
Thesis: Computational Team Design
Now: Assistant Professor at Carnegie Mellon University
Shraddha Joshi
(9/14 – 8/16)
Thesis: Design of Connected Products
Now: Assistant Professor at James Madison University
Jarrod Moss
(6/06-5/07) (co-advised with K. Kotovsky)
Thesis: Research on Open Goals in Creative Problem Solving
Now: Associate Professor at Mississippi State University
Kenneth Brown
(94-95)
Thesis: A Shape Annealing Approach to Process Planning
Now: Lecturer at University of Aberdeen
Doctoral Alumni
Mitchell Fogelson
Ph.D., 2025 (Co-advised with Z. Machester)
Now: Founder and CEO of Beyond Reach Labs
Tito Babatunde
Ph.D., 2024 (Co-advised with R. Taylor)
Thesis: Investigating a flexible framework for automating structural multilayer DNA origami designs
Now: Postdoctoral Fellow at La Jolla Institute for Immunology
Lisha White
Ph.D., 2023 (Co-advised with J. Zheng)
Thesis: A Method to Design Hybrid Lattice Support Structures for LPBF
Ethan Brownell
Ph.D., 2023 (Co-advised with K. Kotovsky)
Thesis: Designing Better Design Teams: Studying Relative Contribution in Engineering Design with Proficient Heterogeneous Computational Agents
Now: Systems Analyst at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Sean Rismiller
Ph.D., 2023 (co-advised with C. McComb)
Thesis: Using Multi-Agent Systems to Computationally Study Set-Based Concurrent Engineering and its Interactions with Team Organization and Problem Structure
Ernest Kabuye
Ph.D., 2023 (co-advised with P. LeDuc)
Thesis: A Mixed Reality System Combining Augmented Reality, 3D Bio Printed Physical Environments and Inertial Measurement Unit Sensors for Task Planning
Now: Bain & Company
Leah Chong
Ph.D., 2022 (co-advised with K. Kotovsky)
Thesis: Role of Human Self-Confidence and Their Confidence in Artificial Intelligence in AI-Assisted Decision-Making in Engineering Design
Now: MIT Post Doc
Josh Gryory
Ph.D., 2022 (co-advised with K. Kotovsky)
Thesis: Computationally Facilitating the Problem-Solving Design Process Via Real-Time Process Management
Now: Consultant, Boston Consulting Group
Ayush Raina
Ph.D., 2022 (co-advised with C. McComb)
Thesis: Towards Deep Learning Guided Search Agents for Sequentially Generative Design Problems
Now: Senior Machine Learning Engineer, Sony Research
Daniel Clymer
Ph.D., 2019 (co-advised with P. LeDuc)
Thesis: Hierarchical Deep Learning for Disease Identification in High-Resolution Medical Imaging
Now: Senior Research Scientist at BAE Systems
Kosa Goucher-Lambert
Ph.D., 2017
Thesis: Investigating Decision Making in Engineering Design Through Complementary Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroimaging Experiments
Now: Assistant Professor of UC Berkeley
Chris McComb
Ph.D., 2017 (co-advised with K. Kotovsky)
Thesis: Designing the Characteristics of Design Teams via Cognitively Inspired Computational Modeling
Now: Associate Professor at Carnegie Mellon University
Mark E. Whiting
Ph.D., 2017 (Co-advised with P, LeDuc)
Thesis: Anomaly Classification Through Automated Shape Grammar Representation
Now: Senior Computational Social Scientist at the CSSLab at Penn
Paul Egan
Ph.D., 2014 (co-advised with P. LeDuc)
Thesis: Emergent Computational and Cognitive Model of Multi-Scale BioMechanics Design
Now: Associate Professor at Texas Tech University
Bryony DuPont
Ph.D., 2013
Thesis: Exploring the Application of an Advanced Extended Pattern Search Algorithm within a Multi-Agent System to Wind Farm Optimization
Now: Assistant Professor at Oregon State University
Brian Sylcott
Ph.D., 2013
Thesis: Understanding the Role of Aesthetic Judgment in Consumer Choice and Preference Modeling
Now: Associate Professor at East Carolina University
Matthew Wood
Ph.D., 2013 (co-advised with K. Kotovsky)
Thesis: Problem Representation and Team Mental Model Development in Individual and Team Problem Solving Performance
Now: Senior Scientist at Aptina, Inc.
Katherine Fu
Ph.D., 2012 (co-advised with K. Kotovsky)
Thesis: Discovering and Exploring Structure in Design Databases and Its Role in Stimulating Design
Now: Associate Professor at University of Wisconsin at Madison
Ian Tseng
Ph.D., 2011 (co-advised with K. Kotovsky)
Now: Engineer at United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Lindsay Hanna Landry
Ph.D., 2009
Thesis: Combinatory Adaptive Optimization with Multi-Agent Systems
Now: Director at Pratt & Whitney
Seth Osborn
Ph.D., 2007
Thesis: Quantifying Aesthetic Preference Through Statistics Applied to an Agent-based Shape Grammar Implementation
Now: Founder and Director at Product Design and Innovation (PDI) & Research Professor, Southern Methodist University
Jarrod Moss
Ph.D., 2006 (co-advised with K. Kotovsky)
Thesis: The Role of Open Goals in Noticing Relevant Information in Problem Solving
Now: Associate Professor at Mississippi State University & Founder at XXY Innovation
Xiangyang Xin
Ph.D., 2006 (co-advised w/ C. Vogel)
Thesis: Product Innovation in A Cultural Context - A Method Applied To Chinese Product Development
Now: Associate Professor and Director of the Cognitive Science Program at Mississippi State University
Jesse Olson
Ph.D., 2006 (co-advised with K. Kotovsky)
Thesis: The Collective Potential: Achieving Organizational Potential by Design
Now: VP Engineering at Base Operations
Chandankumar Aladahalli
Ph.D., 2004 (co-advised with K. Shimada)
Thesis: Improved Pattern Search Algorithm Using an Objective Function Effect Based Move Schedule for 3D Component Layout
Now: Senior Scientist AI and Computer Vision at GE Healthcare
Jay McCormack
Ph.D., 2003
Thesis: Implementing Parametric Shape Grammars to Capture and Explore Product Languages
Now: Professor at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Matthew Campbell
Ph.D., 2000 (co-advised with K. Kotovsky)
Thesis: A-Design: An Agent-Based Conceptual Design Methodology
Now: Professor at Oregon State University
Su Yin
Ph.D., 2000
Thesis: A Pattern Search-Based Algorithm for Automated Product Layout
Now: Principal Engineer at Parker Aerospace
Manish Agarwal
Ph.D., 1999
Thesis: Supporting Automated Design Generation: Function Based Shape Grammars and Insightful Optimization
Now: General Partner at AXA Equitable Life Insurance Co.
Kristina Shea
Ph.D., 1997
Thesis: Essays of Discrete Structures: Purposeful Design of Grammatical Structures by Directed Stochastic Search
Now: Full Professor at ETH Zurich
Jack (Woncheol) Choi
Ph.D., 1996 (co-advised with T.R. Kurfess; Kurfess primary advisor)
Thesis: Determination of Optimal Inspection Point Locations
Now: President and CEO of Anatomage
Linda Schmidt
Ph.D., 1995
Thesis: An Implementation Using Grammars of an Abstraction-Based Model of Mechanical Design for Design Optimization and Design Space Characterization
Now: former Associate Professor at University of Maryland
Simon Szykman
Ph.D., 1995
Thesis: Optimal Product Layout Using Simulated Annealing
Now: Senior Vice President for Client Growth at Maximus
Hubert Vasseur
Ph.D., 1994 (co-advised with T.R. Kurfess)
Thesis: Manufacturing Quality and Process Capability: a Cost-Based Analysis
Now: Engineer at Renault
Masters Alumni
Manish Agarwal
Thesis: A Language of Coffee Makers
Ashwini Asokan
Thesis: Design Languages for Cultural Context
Chandankumar Aladahalli
Thesis: Characterizing Layout Spaces
Matthew Campbell
Thesis: A-Design: An Agent-Based Conceptual Design Methodology
Hillary Carey
Thesis: A Corporate Decision Model of the Product Design Process
Steven (Pinzhi) Chen
Thesis: fMRI Studies and Data Mapping of Form-Function Reasoning
Daniel Clymer
Thesis: Process Specification Design for Additive Manufacturing
Drew Degentesh
Thesis: Effective Computational Structural Design and Analysis
Saurabh Deshpande
Thesis: Agent-Based Optimal Process Planning
Quan Ding
Thesis: Optimal Packing of Automobile Trunks
Bradley Feng
Thesis: Region-based Optimization
Ashish Kolli
Thesis: Layout of Non-linear Shapes
Gyuho Kwak
Thesis: A User-Interactive Optimizing Routing Algorithm
Rosa Lopez
Thesis: Quality Estimation Through Neural Networks
Jesse Olson
Thesis: A Collaborative Approach to Agent-based Design
Luis Oms
Thesis: Investigation of Hip Fractures in the Elderly and Hip Pad Solution
Seth Orsborn
Thesis: Using Shape Grammars to Model Product Characteristics
Shashvat Prakash
Thesis: Hierarchical Method for Approximating MEMS Analysis
Giridhar Reddy
Thesis: Topological Generation of Truss Structures
Julie Reyer
Thesis: Computer Aided Systems Simulation
Jamie Rugnetta
Thesis: Innovative Design of Walkers for Elders
Mangalam Sahai
Thesis: Diagnostics via Deep Learning
Noah Tovares
Thesis: Virtual Preference Function-based Design
Erika Wetzel
Thesis: Understanding Chaos in the Design Process
Andrew Whittam
Thesis: Formal Criteria for Robust Optimality
Ryan Yeh
Thesis: Inducing Grammar Rules with Deep Learning
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