A Scoping Review of Research on Designers and GenAI: Who Uses What, and What For?

Christodoulos Christodoulou

doi:10.59528/ms.jdssi2026.0513a47

Authors

Christodoulos Christodoulou Department of Information Systems, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway 0009-0001-1772-9602

10.59528/ms.jdssi2026.0513a47

Abstract

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is increasingly integrated into design practice, yet it remains unclear which designers use these technologies, which tools they adopt, and for what purposes. This scoping review examines empirical research on professional designers’ engagement with GenAI, published between January 2020 and December 2025. Specifically, it analyzes 25 peer-reviewed journal articles and conference papers: 20 identified through Scopus and Web of Science, and five through a targeted journal search. The findings reveal considerable diversity and ambiguity in how design professions are defined, reflecting the interdisciplinary and evolving nature of contemporary design practice. Designers working across physical, digital, and service-oriented contexts are represented, often with overlapping disciplinary labels. Publicly available GenAI tools - especially ChatGPT, Midjourney, DALL-E, and Stable Diffusion - predominate and are frequently used across multiple stages of the design process, while only a few studies report custom-built tools. Efficiency emerges as a unifying motivation, with GenAI accelerating workflows, automating repetitive tasks, and enabling rapid iteration. Creative exploration and ideation are also prominent, with GenAI framed as a co-creative partner. This review clarifies the research landscape and highlights gaps for future study.

Keywords:

Artificial Intelligence generative AI GenAI tools design scoping review

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Author Biography

Christodoulos Christodoulou, Department of Information Systems, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway

Christodoulos Christodoulou is a PhD candidate in the Department of Information Systems at the University of Agder in Norway. He holds a BA in Graphic and Advertising Design and an MA in Product Design. He is currently investigating how professional designers use GenAI tools. His research interests include ethical and responsible digitalization and its impact on the creative design process.

A Scoping Review of Research on Designers and GenAI: Who Uses What, and What For?

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Author Biography

Christodoulos Christodoulou, Department of Information Systems, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway

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