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 ENGINEERING DESIGN VS. ARTISTIC DESIGN – A DISCUSSION

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Ernst Eder
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Design ◽  
Design Research ◽  
Industrial Design ◽  
Design Science ◽  
Design Engineering ◽  
Design Processes ◽  
Case Examples ◽  
Engineering Sciences ◽  
Technical Systems ◽  
Industrial Designers

‘Design’ can be a noun, or a verb. Six paths for research into engineering design (as verb) are identified, they must be co-ordinated for internal consistency and plausibility. Design Research tries to clarify design processes and their underlying theories – designing in general, and particular forms, e.g. design engineering. Theories are a basis for deriving theory- based design methods. Design engineering and artistic forms of designing, industrial design, have much in common, but also differences. For an attractive and user-friendly product, its form (observable shape) is important – a task for industrial designers, architects, etc. ‘Conceptualizing’ consists of preliminary sketches, a direct entry to hardware – industrial designers work ‘outside inwards’. For a product that should work and fulfill a purpose, perform a transformation process, its functioning and operation are important – a task for engineering designers. Anticipating and analyzing a capability for operation is a role of the engineering sciences. The outcome of design engineering is a set of manufacturing instructions, and analytical verification of anticipated performance. Design engineering is more constrained than industrial design, but in contrast has available a theory of technical systems and its associated engineering design science, with several abstract models and representations of structures. Engineering designers tend to be primary for technical systems, and their operational and manufacturing processes – they work ‘inside outwards’. Hubka’s theory, and consequently design metho- dology, includes consideration of tasks of a technical system, typical life cycle, duty cycle, classes of properties (and requirements), mode of action, development in time, and other items of interest for engineering design processes. Hubka’s methodology is demonstrated by several case examples.

Design Theory and Methodology in Eastern Europe

1990 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomasz Arciszewski
Keyword(s):  
Soviet Union ◽  
Eastern Europe ◽  
Engineering Design ◽  
Design Theory ◽  
Design Research ◽  
East Germany ◽  
The Soviet Union ◽  
Research Environments ◽  
Design Theories ◽  
Design Theory And Methodology

Abstract The paper provides a brief review of general tendencies and interesting developments in the area of engineering design theory and methodology in Eastern Europe. This review is limited to East Germany, Poland, and the Soviet Union. Particular attention was given to the design research environments in individual countries, and to developed design theories and methods in the context of these environments.

The Roles of Features and Abstraction in Mechanical Design

1994 ◽  
Author(s):  
LeRoy E. Taylor ◽  
Mark R. Henderson
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Engineering Design ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Design Research ◽  
Mechanical Design ◽  
Product Modeling ◽  
Product Models ◽  
Mechanical Products ◽  
Unique Framework ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract This paper describes the roles of features and abstraction mechanisms in the mechanical design process, mechanical designs, and product models of mechanical designs. It also describes the relationship between functions and features in mechanical design. It is our experience that many research efforts exist in the areas of design and product modeling and, further, that these efforts must be cataloged and compared. To this end, this paper culminates with the presentation of a multi-dimensional abstraction space which provides a unique framework for (a) comparing mechanical engineering design research efforts, (b) relating conceptual objects used in the life cycle of mechanical products, and (c) defining a product modeling space.

scholarly journals Axiomatic Design: 30 Years After

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mats Nordlund ◽  
Taesik Lee ◽  
Sang-Gook Kim
Keyword(s):  
Design Process ◽  
Design Theory ◽  
Organizational Design ◽  
Design Research ◽  
Design Thinking ◽  
Axiomatic Design ◽  
Environment Design ◽  
Good Design ◽  
Axiomatic Design Theory ◽  
Practical Experiences

In 1977, Nam P Suh proposed a different approach to design research. Suh’s approach was different in that it introduced the notions of domains and layers in a 2-D design thinking and stipulated a set of axioms that describes what is a good design. Following Suh’s 2-D reasoning structure in a zigzagging manner and applying these axioms through the design process should enable the designer to arrive at a good design. In this paper, we present our own experiences in applying Suh’s theories to software design, product design, organizational design, process design, and more in both academic and industrial settings. We also share our experience from teaching the Axiomatic Design theory to students at universities and engineers in industry, and draw conclusions on how best to teach and use this approach, and what results one can expect. The merits of the design axioms are discussed based on the practical experiences that the authors have had in their application. The process developed around the axioms to derive maximum value (solution neutral environment, design domains, what-how relationship, zig-zag process, decomposition, and design matrices) is also discussed and some updates are proposed.

scholarly journals A Methodology for Architecture Theory and Practices Research: Design Practices Evaluation Studio

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 195
Author(s):  
Fathi Bashier
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Base ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Design Theory ◽  
Design Research ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Design Problems ◽  
Need To Evaluate ◽  
Research Goal ◽  
Architecture Theory ◽  
The Way

This article presents the initial findings of the design research carried out during the last semester by the master of architecture students at Wollega University, Ethiopia. The research goal is the creation of new knowledge to improve the design process. The dissatisfaction with the outcomes of the conventional design approach has led to rising concern and growing awareness of the need to evaluate design outcomes and to learn from the failure. That inadequate understanding of design problems leads frequently to design failure suggests that the evaluation of design outcomes can be made by assessing the way architects develop understanding of design problems, and how they use that understanding for developing knowledge base of the design process. The assumption is that architects’ understanding of design problems can be assessed by examining the way data is used for developing the knowledge base of the design process. The students surveyed the architects’ views in order to produce knowledge, which can be used to develop methods for discovering how inadequate data contributes to miss-informed design decisions; and methods for assessing the architects’ understanding of design problems. In this article the survey findings are analyzed and documented; and, the way the insight drawn from the inquiry can be used in future research for developing design theory, is discussed.Keywords: design outcomes, failure, evaluation, questionnaire, analyze

Design for Manufacturability

1995 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed A. Azam ◽  
William P. Holmes
Keyword(s):  
Product Design ◽  
Engineering Design ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Integrated Design ◽  
Concept Development ◽  
Concept Design ◽  
Process Selection ◽  
Cad System ◽  
Product Design Process ◽  
Industrial Designers

Abstract Research has been carried out at Coventry University Centre for Integrated Design on the concept design process and it is funded by the Coventry University Research Fund. An experiment, simulating product design in industry, was conducted by concept designers which were, in turn, acted by student industrial designers and student engineering designers. In general the product design process is a sequential process. The first part of the process is the conceptual phase. This is followed by the engineering design phases which include all the manufacturing information. In this case the downstream engineering design focuses on designs for manufacture and process selection. Information on the requirements of conceptual designers in these areas was collected from these experiments. The information is ultimately to be incorporated into rules in a knowledge base which can be readily accessed by the industrial designer during concept development via a CAD system.

Study on User Experience and User Cognitive in Product Design

2013 ◽  
Vol 318 ◽  
pp. 174-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ren Qiang Lin ◽  
He Li ◽  
Meng Ma ◽  
Wen Wang
Keyword(s):  
Product Design ◽  
Design Process ◽  
User Experience ◽  
Design Theory ◽  
Industrial Design ◽  
Current Field ◽  
User Awareness ◽  
Correct Understanding ◽  
Play Space ◽  
Reasonable Use

At present, many domestic and international products' design are promoted the design concept based on the user experience or user awareness. It has been generally aware of the industrial design is no longer just belong to the narrow shape and design areas, therefore a correct understanding of user experience and user awareness is very necessary, whereas in the study of design theory, a lot of people have user experience mixed with user awareness as one concept, it's a truth that the both are closely linked, while there are certain differences between them, if they are mixed together, it will not only narrow us thinking play space, but also disable to achieve greater breakthroughs in the design process of innovation, on the contrary if the correct understanding and reasonable use of the both and furthermore transplanted into the design of the product, for the current field of industrial design, it is a huge reform and innovation.

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.

scholarly journals On the integration of product and process models in engineering design

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia M. Eckert ◽  
David C. Wynn ◽  
Jakob F. Maier ◽  
Albert Albers ◽  
Nikola Bursac ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Design ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Design Research ◽  
Process Models ◽  
Integrated Modelling ◽  
Model Integration ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Engineering Designs ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Product And Process

Models of products and design processes are key to interacting with engineering designs and managing the processes by which they are developed. In practice, companies maintain networks of many interrelated models which need to be synthesised in the minds of their users when considering issues that cut across them. This article considers how information from product and design process models can be integrated with a view to help manage these complex interrelationships. A framework highlighting key issues surrounding model integration is introduced and terminology for describing these issues is developed. To illustrate the framework and terminology, selected modelling approaches that integrate product and process information are discussed and organised according to their levels and forms of integration. Opportunities for further work to advance integrated modelling in engineering design research and practice are discussed.

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