Multimodal tool support for creative tasks in the visual arts

This paper presents an investigation into computer tool support for creativ e tasks in the visual arts, in particular sketching. The research draws fro m both theoretical models of creative processes and empirical observations of sketching activity in the domain of character development in animation a nd illustration, These sources show that creative problem solving through s ketching is a highly iterative process during which various constraints are rapidly evolving and being adapted to. A set of requirements for an experi mental, multimodal sketching tool was developed, drawing from our theoretic al and empirical studies. In order to support the intense, rapid nature of the task, voice input was implemented allowing the user to access functiona lity without interrupting the hand activity. The multimodal tool also inclu ded radial marking menus in order to provide rapid navigation to functional ity. Informal evaluations were conducted that provided qualitative feedback about the use of the system. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights res erved.