Creative Discovery using QD Search

Abstract: In creative design, where aesthetics play a crucial role in determining the quality of outcomes, there are often multiple worthwhile possibilities, rather than a single ``best'' design. This challenge is compounded in the use of computational generative systems, where the sheer number of potential outcomes can be overwhelming. This paper introduces a method that combines evolutionary optimisation with AI-based image classification to perform quality-diversity search, allowing for the creative exploration of complex design spaces. The process begins by randomly sampling the genotype space, followed by mapping the generated phenotypes to a reduced representation of the solution space, as well as evaluating them based on their visual characteristics. This results in an elite group of diverse outcomes that span the solution space. The elite is then progressively updated via sampling and simple mutation. We tested our method on a generative system that produces abstract drawings. The results demonstrate that the system can effectively evolve populations of phenotypes with high aesthetic value and greater visual diversity compared to traditional optimisation-focused evolutionary approaches.