Evidence for using Interactive Genetic Algorithms in shape preference assessment

Preferences for subjective design qualities, such as shape, are difficult to capture and relate to engineering specifications. The present paper uses Interactive Evolutionary Systems (IES) to locate a human user’s most preferred cola bottle shape among a set of parameterised bottle shapes. Several researchers have used IES to identify user preference, but have never independently confirmed that preference. In the present paper, participants used the IGA to select their favourite design from a small design space. The method of paired comparisons was used to characterise preference over the entire design space, showing a 91% agreement with IGA most preferred selections.