A Human-Centered Framework for Transparency in Creative Work
The way we create is changing. From hand-drawn sketches and traditional craftsmanship to parametric modeling, advanced rendering, and AI-assisted workflows, technology now plays a role in almost every stage of the creative process. These tools are powerful, but they also raise new questions. How do we talk honestly about the relationship between human creativity and technological assistance? How do we protect authorship and clarify intellectual property when multiple tools, systems, and creative hands shape the final outcome? These are the questions that led to the creation of CAHDD™ — Computer Aided Human Designed & Developed.
A Philosophy, Not a Policy
CAHDD™ isn’t a certification program or a policing system. It’s a voluntary, human-centered framework that helps creators, studios, and organizations clearly communicate how human authorship and technology interact in their work. It’s about transparency, trust, and authorship—not enforcement. There are no fees, no gatekeepers, and no mandatory rules. Creators choose whether and how to use it.
Why It Matters
As AI tools and other forms of automation become more integrated into creative and professional workflows, authorship is becoming more complex, and intellectual property questions are becoming more urgent. By clearly identifying the stage of involvement between human input and technology, creators can:
- Provide clarity and trust for clients, audiences, and collaborators.
- Document their process in a way that helps protect intellectual property.
- Participate in a broader cultural conversation about the role of technology in creativity.
Stages and Watermarks (Optional)
To make this conversation easier, CAHDD™ includes a set of stages that describe how much of a work was shaped by human creativity versus technology. These stages range from Stage 0 (Fully Human) to Stage 5 (AI-Autonomous), plus Stage X for experimental or hybrid works. Creators can choose to apply optional watermarks or icons to their images, videos, or other media to communicate these stages visually. This helps audiences understand the process at a glance. However, these are completely voluntary. The CAHDD™ framework is meant to be flexible and supportive—not restrictive.
Free and Community-Driven
CAHDD™ is an altruistic initiative created by 3DAllusions LLC, built on decades of experience at the intersection of design, technology, and visualization. It is not a commercial venture. There are no certification fees, subscriptions, or proprietary restrictions. Our goal is simple: to provide a shared language for creators and audiences to navigate an evolving creative landscape together.
Join the Conversation
CAHDD™ is growing through community, not mandates. Whether you’re a designer, artist, architect, developer, educator, or simply someone who values transparency, you’re welcome to be part of this movement. Explore the framework, consider applying it to your work, or simply share it with others who might find it useful.