Designing-Related Neural Processes: Higher Alpha, Theta and Beta Bands’ Key Roles in Distinguishing Designing from Problem-Solving

This paper presents results from an experiment studying differences be-tween designing and problem-solving in professional industrial design-ers, using EEG to measure neurophysiological activations. We compare neurophysiological activation and frequency bands power between three prototypical tasks, a problem-solving layout design task, an open design layout task and an open design free-hand sketching task. The study draws on the neurophysiological results from 18 experiment sessions with professional designers. Results indicate significant differences in ac-tivations between the problem-solving task and the design tasks, in terms of aggregate, temporal and frequency bands power across participants. Higher alpha, theta and beta frequency band values play a key role in the open design sketching task when compared to the layout tasks.