Unexpected discoveries and S-invention of design requirements: important vehicles for a design process

Designers, during a conceptual design process, do not just synthesize solutions that satisfy initially given requirements, but also invent design issues or requirements that capture important aspects of the given problem. How do they do this? What becomes the impetus for the invention of important issues or requirements? So-called ‘unexpected discoveries', the acts of attending to visuo-spatial features in sketches which were not intended when they were drawn, are believed to contribute to it. The purpose of the present research is to verify this hypothesis. Analysing the cognitive processes of a practising architect in a design session, we found that in about a half of his entire design process there were bi-directional relations between unexpected discoveries and the invention of issues or requirements. Not only did unexpected discoveries become the driving force for the invention of issues or requirements, but also the occurrence of invention, in turn, tended to cause new unexpected discoveries. This has provided empirical evidence for two anecdotal views of designing. First, designing is a situated act; designers invent design issues or requirements in a way situated in the environment in which they design. We call inventions of this sort situated-invention (S-invention). Secondly, a design process progresses in such a way that the problem-space and the solution-space co-evolve. Further, this has brought a pedagogical implication as well as an insight about an important aspect of learning by experience in design.     

A scheme for functional reasoning in conceptual design

An ideal functional reasoning environment should support designs of any nature, routine or innovative, at any level of detail, as well as through varying levels of detail. In this paper, three existing functional reasoning models are reviewed in this perspective. It has been found that none of these models support all of these requirements. It has been shown that a functional reasoning approach cannot guarantee the generation of solution concepts, which are combinations of known solutions, unless guided by the knowledge of existing solutions. A new model which can support design both across a level of detail and down through levels of detail has been proposed, which, using a divide and rule approach and using recursive problem redefinition while incorporating existing solutions, could support conceptual design. It is also shown that, although the generation of completely new solutions is not supported by the model, the model, when aided by a framework allowing a sustained progress of its knowledge base by transfer of knowledge from existing designs in the form of basic structures and rules of combination, could support generation of designs which otherwise would be considered unsupportable in a systematic way (innovative).     

Computer tools for integrated conceptual design

This paper outlines the conceptual design process with reference to the integrated computer-aided design tool known as Schemebuilder, and the related work of the Lancaster University Engineering Design Centre. The aim of the Lancaster EDC is to provide highly integrated support for the rapid creation and evaluation of a wide range of outline design schemes. Particular attention is paid to the design of mechatronic systems and devices.     

设计构思过程中基于设计评论的知识重用

目的探究设计者在设计构思过程中利用参考案例的相关评论展开设计知识重用的模式和特点。方法对设计评论进行分类,按照\"设计—参考—迭代设计\"的结构组织观察实验并制定实验任务,选取设计初学者作为实验对象并将其等分为实验组和对照组。通过分析设计概念输出以及相关回访数据来获取设计者利用不同类型评论进行知识重用的模式特点。结论相比于评论中的具体类知识,设计者更倾向于对评论中的概念类知识和可执行类知识进行重用。\"颠覆\"式的设计修改思路与概念类知识的重用有关;在视觉上突出显示评论中的概念类知识,能推动设计者突破原有的设计思路,从而帮助设计者提高其知识重用效率。     

A heuristic-based approach to conceptual design

In the inherently large space of design, explicating all possible concept variants—to avoid leaving out potential concepts—is astronomically costly, if at all possible. A strategy that can assist designers in exploring and ascertaining design solutions within this vast space is therefore crucial. This work adapts a general best first heuristic algorithm for applications on conceptual design problems. The algorithm is tailored to operate on a model of conceptual design postulated in this paper. The propositions are established by an ordered series of formal definitions and mathematical assertions, which characterizes the complete theoretical model. Via a simple design case study, this product conceptualization approach is demonstrated to strategically guide designers in the exploration of design concepts.     

Structure in idea sketching behaviour

This paper describes a study designed to investigate the structure of idea sketches, here defined as the initial free-hand drawn externalisations produced by a designer of envisioned or partially envisioned entities. In the study, participants were asked to sketch freely from memory a number of chairs and to design a chair. The results obtained from analyzing the drawing process provide clear evidence for structure in idea sketching behaviour which is largely explained by reference to either volumetrical or functional cognitive models of the recalled or designed objects. This suggests that there is an intimate relationship between the cognitive and perceptual processes that are brought to bear on the recall and design tasks and idea sketching. It is concluded that the detailed study of sketching behaviour may provide a fruitful approach to understanding the relationship between cognition, the sketch, and sketching.     

基于TRIZ和DEA理论的产品概念设计方法及实证

将DEA方法引入TRIZ应用体系,首先依据TRIZ理论分析顾客需求,选择TRIZ问题解决工具,获得不同的创新方案,然后考虑各种投入要素,利用DEA方法选取最佳方案.该方法有效弥补了TRIZ理论的不足,实证分析充分证实了其合理性和实用性.