Sharing learning in a cooperative design system

Design is a complex problem solving and knowledge refinement process. Learning is a part of this process that can improve computer based design support systems by using the knowledge representing the experience and expertise of designers. Learning from past design examples, and learning new knowledge during the process of design are closely related activities that must be supported by future computer supported design systems. The paper analyses real design activity and proposes a model of design activity. Then it presents the software architecture of a design agent with learning mechanism. Subsequently, it introduces the knowledge representation in a design system. Finally, the paper presents a sharing learning process in a cooperative design system.