Rethinking Design: The Formal Integration of Engineering Innovation Into a Design Process

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aziz M. Naim ◽  
Kemper E. Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Design ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Design Theory ◽  
Design Methods ◽  
Design Tools ◽  
Innovative Products ◽  
Scientific Principles ◽  
Formal Integration ◽  
Tremendous Impact

Innovation has been a hallmark of progress throughout human history. There are many innovative products that have had a tremendous impact on mankind’s quality of life. As engineering design matures into a field defined by scientific principles, there is a need for guidelines to help the designer select and apply appropriate tools and methods to support the development of innovative products. There has been significant work developing design methods to support the development of innovative products. There has been significant work developing design methods to support the development of innovative products as well as to understand the characteristics of the innovative products. Many of these methods however present themselves as a unique solution to develop innovative products but fail to fully define innovation. Furthermore, few guidelines are provided to the designer as to when to use the available tools with respect to the market dynamics, making the use of these methods sometimes ineffective. With a general push for US companies to become increasingly more innovative, it is important more than ever to understand and situate innovation in design practices in order to promote successful and consistent development of innovative products. This paper proposes a set of new “innovation for engineers” guidelines that are defined and used along existing engineering design theory and cyberinfrastructure design tools in a design process.

Design Methods Used During Early Stages of Product Development: Three Company Cases

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlye A. Lauff ◽  
Daria Kotys-Schwartz ◽  
Mark E. Rentschler
Keyword(s):  
Product Development ◽  
Engineering Design ◽  
New Product Development ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Design Education ◽  
Design Theory ◽  
Design Methods ◽  
Consumer Electronics ◽  
Concept Generation ◽  
Early Stages

Companies need to employ new design methods and tools to remain competitive in today’s global economy. Design methods are used to help teams move through the different stages of the design process, such as during project scoping, concept generation, and concept selection. Concept generation design methods are meant to help teams generate diverse, novel, and creative potential solutions. However, most design methods are developed and refined based on studies with student teams. This limits our understanding of how professionals engage with design methods in practice. This is a case study exploring the design methods used by three companies during the early stages of new product development. These companies are from the consumer electronics, footwear, and medical devices industries, and each design team within the companies was tasked with developing a new physical end product. We identified that all three teams heavily relied on internal and external benchmarking and reverse engineering design methods as part of concept generation. Ultimately, the products they developed were all considered evolutionary, meaning that the final product was a slightly improved version of similar products already on the market. This contrasts revolutionary products, which can change or disrupt the current field in one or more ways. This research contributes to design theory and methodology through empirically studying how companies engage in the design process, identifying the methods employed by professionals, and raising new questions about design methods, especially translation to industry. This research also contributes to design education by identifying methods that professionals use in practice, which can translate to direct recommendations for improving project-based engineering design courses.

scholarly journals Representation in Early Stage Design: An Analysis of the Influence of Sketching and Prototyping in Design Projects

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Elsen ◽  
Anders Häggman ◽  
Tomonori Honda ◽  
Maria C. Yang
Keyword(s):  
Design Process ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Design Tools ◽  
Quality Of Information ◽  
Stage Design ◽  
Design Concepts ◽  
Design Projects ◽  
Early Stage Design ◽  
Team Design

Sketching and prototyping of design concepts have long been valued as tools to support productive early stage design. This study investigates previous findings about the interplay between the use and timing of use of such design tools. This study evaluates such tools in the context of team design projects. General trends and statistically significant results about “sketchstorming” and prototyping suggest that, in certain constrained contexts, the focus should be on the quality of information rather than on the quantity of information generated, and that prototyping should begin as soon as possible during the design process. Ramifications of these findings are discussed in the context of educating future designers on the efficient use of design tools.

scholarly journals Engineering and Industrial Design: An Integrated Interdisciplinary Design Theory

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander N. Brezing ◽  
Manuel Lo¨wer
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Design ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Design Theory ◽  
Design Research ◽  
Industrial Design ◽  
Product Model ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
Interdisciplinary Design ◽  
Industrial Designers ◽  
The One

It is generally accepted that superior products result from a balanced consideration of both “technology” and “aesthetic design”. Nonetheless, the gap between the two professions of the “design engineer” and the “industrial designer” has not been bridged since their origination in the course of industrialization [7]. One possible approach to enhance the collaboration of both disciplines is to teach the basics of the respective other’s. In Germany, the main work following this approach of trying to prepare engineers for design collaborations is the VDI guideline 2424 (“The Industrial Design Process”) [21], which was worked out and released in three parts from 1984 to 1988 by a group of engineering design researchers and industrial designers. As no accepted industrial design theory could be identified at that time, the authors of the guideline tried to apply some of engineering design methodology’s proven methods taken from the VDI guideline 2221 [19] that seemed to fit to industrial design. That approach ultimately failed, as the authors of the guideline had to conclude themselves in the opening remarks of its last part [21]. Even if the guideline is still officially in use for the lack of a replacement, it is hardly used in engineering education. Since then however, accepted theoretical approaches have been produced by industrial design research that allow for the definition of an interdisciplinary theory on product development. This paper introduces these approaches and arranges them together with models of engineering design methodology to serve as a basis for a design theory that explains both domains’ competences and responsibilities. A function-oriented product model is set up that illustrates existing interdependencies by classifying a technical product/project according to the relative importance of its technical function (engineering’s competence) on the one hand and its semiotic functions (industrial design’s competence) on the other. The realization of industrial design’s competence as signification and the organization of its devices according to the model of semiotic functions explain existing organizational problems of interdisciplinary design practice. It is demonstrated why industrial design cannot proceed according a purely technical design process such as the one defined in the VDI guideline 2221 and what implications that has on interdisciplinary design projects.

scholarly journals Trans-Create – Co-Design with Persons with Severe Disabilities

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birgitta Cappelen ◽  
Anders-Petter Andersson
Keyword(s):  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Severe Disabilities ◽  
Design Methods ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Communication Situation ◽  
Good For ◽  
The Way

Technology has potential for improving the lives of persons with severe disabilities. But it’s a challenge to create technology that improves lives from a person’s own perspective. Co-design methods have therefore been used in the design of Assistive Technology, to include users in the design process. But it’s a challenge to ensure the quality of participation with persons with significantly different prerequisites for communication than ourselves. It’s hard to know if what we design is good for them in the way they themselves define it, in a communication situation, which has to be significantly different than traditional co-design. In this paper, we present a new approach to co-design with persons with severe disabilities. We call this process “trans-create”, based on the creative translation we use when translating between cultures. We found that by using familiar artifacts that could be added and removed in the co-design process, we had a language for communication. By adding a personalisable digital layer to the artifacts, we could adapt, scale and redesign both tangible, visual and sound qualities in the situation dynamically. For example, by making it possible for the user to choose and activate a pink music cover card (RFID) that turns the lighting of the entire room pink and changes the music. This implies changing the distinction between designer and user, between the design process and the use process, and the view of what we create during a co-design process. That is why we have chosen to call this process “trans-create”, instead of co-create, what we create for “living works”, instead of design, a hybridisation between design and use, process and result.

scholarly journals Adapting Engineering Design Tools to Include Human Factors

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judy Lynn Village ◽  
Michael Greig ◽  
Saeed Zolfaghari ◽  
Filippo A. Salustri ◽  
W. P. Neumann
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Engineering Design ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Participatory Development ◽  
Design Tools ◽  
Design Environment ◽  
Design Processes ◽  
Assembly Design ◽  
Business Goals

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS In a longitudinal collaboration with engineers and human factors specialists at an electronics manufacturer, five engineering design tools were adapted to include human factors. The tools, many with required human factors targets, were integrated at each stage of assembly design to increase the proactive application of human factors. This article describes the process of adapting the five tools within the collaborating organization. Findings suggest 12 key features of human factors tools, most importantly that they “fit” with engineering processes, language, and tools; directly address business goals and influence key metrics; and are quantifiable and can demonstrate change. To be effective in an engineering design environment, it is suggested that human factors specialists increase their understanding of their organization’s design process, learn which tools are commonly used in engineering, focus on important metrics for the business goals, and incorporate human factors into engineering-based tools and worksystem design practices in their organizations. TECHNICAL ABSTRACT Rationale: Design engineers use diverse tools in design, but few incorporate human factors, even though optimizing human performance can further improve operational performance. There is a need for practical tools to help engineers integrate human factors into production design processes. Purpose: This article demonstrates how five engineering design tools were adapted to include human factors and were integrated into design processes within the case study organization. It also provides features of an effective human factors tool and recommendations for practitioners. Method: A longitudinal collaboration with engineers and human factors specialists in a large electronics manufacturing organization allowed in vivo adaptation and testing of various tools in an action research methodology. Qualitative data were recorded from multiple sources, then transcribed and analyzed over a 3-year period. Results: The adapted tools integrated into each stage of the design process included the human factors process failure mode effects analysis, human factors design for assembly, human factors design for fixtures, workstation efficiency evaluator, and human factors kaizens. Each tool had a unique participatory development process; 12 features are recommended for effective human factors tools based on the findings herein. Most importantly, tools should “fit” with existing engineering processes, language, and tools; directly address business goals and influence key metrics; and be quantifiable and demonstrate change. Conclusions: Engineers and management responded positively to the five tools adapted for human factors because they were designed to help improve assembly design and achieve their business goals. Several of the human factors tools became required targets within the design process, ensuring that human factors considerations are built into all future design processes. Adapting engineering tools, rather than using human factors tools, required a shift for human factors specialists, who needed to expand their knowledge of engineering processes, tools, techniques, language, metrics, and goals.

Towards a Logical Theory of Engineering Design Information

1991 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. A. Salustri ◽  
R. D. Venter
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Design ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Design Theory ◽  
Model Design ◽  
Logical Theory ◽  
Design Information ◽  
Design Specifications ◽  
Engineering Design Process ◽  
Design Theory And Methodology

Abstract Recent research in Design Theory and Methodology has sought to formalize the engineering design process without particular concern for the paradigm used to model design information. The authors propose that no correct formalization of the design process can be achieved without first formalizing the semantics of the information used in the process. To this end, the authors present a new theory meant to formalize the semantics of design information that is independent of its use in a design process. Using symbolic logic, the theory is presented as a set of axioms, and draws from the object orientation and hypertext paradigms. Design entities are modeled by formal units called objects, and are related by formal structures called links. Abstraction mechanisms relevant to design are formalized and the role of constraints is explored. The hybrid model is meant not only to aid in the study of the design process itself, but also to improve communications between designers, assist standardization of design specifications, and develop new, powerful software tools to aid the designer in his work.

A Survey of Design Philosophies, Models, Methods and Systems

1996 ◽  
Vol 210 (4) ◽  
pp. 301-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
N F O Evbuomwan ◽  
S Sivaloganathan ◽  
A Jebb
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Design ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Process Design ◽  
Design Theory ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Design Problems ◽  
Design Models ◽  
The World ◽  
Design Theory And Methodology

The study of the design process, design theory and methodology has been a preoccupation of engineers, designers and researchers over the last four to five decades. As the end of this millenium is approached and with the renewed interest around the world in engineering design, it is fitting to examine the state of the art and current status of issues relating to design philosophies, theory and methodology. Over the last 40 years, many approaches to design have been put forward by various researchers, designers and engineers, both in academia and industry, on how design ought to and might be carried out. These proposals on design have tended towards what has come to be regarded as design philosophies, design models and design methods. The thesis of this paper is to discuss various aspects of generic research in design, within the above classifications in the light of the work that has been done in the last four decades. Discussions will focus on various definitions of design, design theory and methodology, the nature and variety of design problems, design classifications, philosophies, models, methods and systems.

Creative Thinking in Product Innovative Design: A Handcuff Case Study

2014 ◽  
Vol 635-637 ◽  
pp. 1969-1972
Author(s):  
Jie Zhang ◽  
Ling Xia Bi
Keyword(s):  
Design Process ◽  
Product Innovation ◽  
Bifurcation Theory ◽  
Creative Thinking ◽  
Design Theory ◽  
New Products ◽  
Design Methods ◽  
Innovative Design ◽  
New Era

In today's era of the pursuit of personalization, the range of product is greatly enriched. Thus, enhancing the level of product innovation and design capabilities is the inevitable requirements of the new era. Based on the bifurcation theory, people’s thinking state in the innovative design process of a product was analyzed. Some innovative design methods that commonly used in modern design theory were introduced.Based on a product design example, two innovative design methods were respectively carried out to realize the design of new products.

Integration of a Client-Based Design Project Into the Sophomore Year

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacquelyn K. S. Nagel ◽  
Robert L. Nagel ◽  
Eric Pappas ◽  
Olga Pierrakos
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Design ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Real World ◽  
Design Theory ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Course Design ◽  
Design Project ◽  
Engineering Design Process ◽  
Course Sequence ◽  
Two Phases

Often engineering design instruction based on real-world, client-based projects is relegated to a final year capstone course. The engineering program at James Madison University (JMU), however, emphasizes these real-world, client-based design experiences, and places them throughout our six-course engineering design sequence. Our six-course design sequence is anchored by the sophomore design course sequence, which serves as the cornerstone to the JMU engineering design sequence. The cornerstone experience in the sophomore year is meant to enable mastery through both directed and non-directed learning and exploration of the design process and design tools. To that end, students work in both small (4–5) and large (9–11) teams to complete a year-long design project. The course project is woven with instruction in engineering design theory and methodology; individual cognitive processes, thinking, and communication skills; decision making; sustainable design; problem solving; software; and project management. Students’ overarching task during the first semester is to follow the first two phases of the engineering design process—Planning and Concept Generation—while in the second semester, students work to reiterate on the first two phases of the engineering design process before prototyping, testing, and refining a design for the client. The project culminates with the students demonstrating their final product to the client, University, and local community. Our goal in this paper is to present our model for integrating real-world, client-based design projects into the sophomore year to facilitate meaningful design experiences across the curriculum. We believe that providing these experiences early and often not only challenges students on multiple dimensions, but also exposes them, and consequently better prepares them, for their eventual role as a practicing engineer. In this paper, we shall describe the sophomore design course sequence, the history and details of the course project, and also key learning outcome gains.

Adapting Engineering Design Tools to Include Human Factors

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judy Lynn Village ◽  
Michael Greig ◽  
Saeed Zolfaghari ◽  
Filippo A. Salustri ◽  
W. P. Neumann
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Engineering Design ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Participatory Development ◽  
Design Tools ◽  
Design Environment ◽  
Design Processes ◽  
Assembly Design ◽  
Business Goals

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS In a longitudinal collaboration with engineers and human factors specialists at an electronics manufacturer, five engineering design tools were adapted to include human factors. The tools, many with required human factors targets, were integrated at each stage of assembly design to increase the proactive application of human factors. This article describes the process of adapting the five tools within the collaborating organization. Findings suggest 12 key features of human factors tools, most importantly that they “fit” with engineering processes, language, and tools; directly address business goals and influence key metrics; and are quantifiable and can demonstrate change. To be effective in an engineering design environment, it is suggested that human factors specialists increase their understanding of their organization’s design process, learn which tools are commonly used in engineering, focus on important metrics for the business goals, and incorporate human factors into engineering-based tools and worksystem design practices in their organizations. TECHNICAL ABSTRACT Rationale: Design engineers use diverse tools in design, but few incorporate human factors, even though optimizing human performance can further improve operational performance. There is a need for practical tools to help engineers integrate human factors into production design processes. Purpose: This article demonstrates how five engineering design tools were adapted to include human factors and were integrated into design processes within the case study organization. It also provides features of an effective human factors tool and recommendations for practitioners. Method: A longitudinal collaboration with engineers and human factors specialists in a large electronics manufacturing organization allowed in vivo adaptation and testing of various tools in an action research methodology. Qualitative data were recorded from multiple sources, then transcribed and analyzed over a 3-year period. Results: The adapted tools integrated into each stage of the design process included the human factors process failure mode effects analysis, human factors design for assembly, human factors design for fixtures, workstation efficiency evaluator, and human factors kaizens. Each tool had a unique participatory development process; 12 features are recommended for effective human factors tools based on the findings herein. Most importantly, tools should “fit” with existing engineering processes, language, and tools; directly address business goals and influence key metrics; and be quantifiable and demonstrate change. Conclusions: Engineers and management responded positively to the five tools adapted for human factors because they were designed to help improve assembly design and achieve their business goals. Several of the human factors tools became required targets within the design process, ensuring that human factors considerations are built into all future design processes. Adapting engineering tools, rather than using human factors tools, required a shift for human factors specialists, who needed to expand their knowledge of engineering processes, tools, techniques, language, metrics, and goals.

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