Design Heuristics in Engineering Concept Generation

Abstract

Innovation in design depends on successful concept generation.The ideation stage of design is intended to produce multiple, varied concepts from which to develop and choose.Often, instruction on idea generation methods is not offered in engineering classes; however, when taught, it is commonly through techniques like brainstorming, which lacks specific ways to generate designs.Further, existing ideation strategies are not based on evidence from designers or rigorous testing through empirical studies. PURPOSEThis study investigated how engineering students and practitioners generated ideas.We focused on how designers used product characteristics to define concepts, and how previous concepts were transformed into new solutions by modifying their characteristics.Our methodology is based on our previous work identifying Design Heuristics in engineering solutions, defined as cognitive prompts that facilitate exploration of multiple designs during concept generation. METHODThink-aloud recordings and concept sketches were collected from 36 engineering students and practitioners (with varying levels of experience) as they generated ideas for a novel design task in a laboratory setting.These data, along with retrospective interviews, were analyzed for the ideation strategies evident in the participants' solutions. RESULTSThis study revealed evidence for over 60 strategies for concept generation during the ideation stage.Participants generated novel concepts and proposed concept modifications, and specific Design Heuristics were observed in their designs.The results suggest instruction on Design Heuristics can aid in effective idea generation. CONCLUSIONSThis protocol study of engineering designers provides a collection of heuristics observed in practice that offers new methods for students and practitioners to explore design spaces.The Design Heuristics identified in this and previous work can potentially be learned and then incorporated into the practice of engineering students and practitioners.