By analyzing the relationship between design ability and design time, mental workload, and design effect, an evaluation method of design ability is proposed. As far as the factors involved in such method are concerned, mental workload is measured by NASATLX (national aeronautics and space administrationtask load index) scale, design time is acquired with a special program, and design effect is scored by expert. Then, the time spent on new design tasks based on the evaluated ability level is predicted by using support vector machines, which is then compared with realmeasured time. The result shows that the predicted time is well accorded with the real time, which indicates that the evaluation method of design ability is valid.