Generator for synthesizing templates

A method of operating a computing device comprising:

• enabling display of a user interface to an application, wherein the user interface includes an initial set of templates;
• receiving a selection of a parent template from the initial set of templates;
• generating a variation vector based on the parent template, wherein the variation vector identifies elements of the parent template and thresholds for manipulating the elements to produce child templates that vary relative to the parent template and to each other;
• generating the child templates based on the variation vector, the parent template, and a layering vector that adds a layer to a design layout, wherein the layer is not present in the initial set of templates;
• and
• enabling display of the child templates in the user interface.

One or more computer readable media having program instructions stored thereon that, when executed by one or more processors, direct a computing device to at least:

• transmit an initial set of templates for display in a user interface;
• receive a selection of a parent template from the initial set of templates;
• generate a variation vector based on the parent template, wherein the variation vector identifies elements of the parent template and thresholds for manipulating the elements to produce child templates that vary relative to the parent template and to each other;
• generate the child templates based on the variation vector, the parent template, and a layering vector that adds a layer to a design layout, wherein the layer is not present in the initial set of templates;
• and
• transmit the child templates for display in the user interface.