Nowadays, in the so-called information age, computers are being applied in diverse fields, setting up new paradigms in their frameworks and approaches. Design cannot be excluded in this inescapable new wave. Now designers are no longer strangers in the context of computer application: computer modeling, drafting, editorial design, diagramming and so on. However those application are mainly focused on the visual application whereas designers actually need help from computer in the area of intelligent task: design evaluation, creative ideation. Recently the development of expert system shows the possibilities for the application of computer to the intelligent design task. Considering these backgrounds this study sets the objective for exploring the possibility of application of expert system for design with the emphasis on layout of control elements.
At first historical development and basic theories of expert systems were discussed to understand the nature of expert system. Then, based on theoretical background, possibilities and problems in the application of expert system for design were identified and those were used for setting up the guidelines of knowledge based system. Consecutively case study was done for demonstrating more concrete application of expert system and evaluating the validity of expert system. Layout of control components of audio system was selected for case for which related knowledge were studied and identified. Knowledge base was established based on the identified guidelines and expert system was developed by programming the knowledge base system. Possible layouts of alternative concepts were actually proposed by expert system. Finally findings of the study were summarized and further studies were outlined.
