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Observations on concept generation and sketching in engineering design

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Abstract

The generation of ideas is an essential element in the process of design. One suggested approach to improving the quality of ideas is through increasing their quantity. In this study, concept generation is examined via brainstorming, morphology charts and sketching. Statistically significant correlations were found between the quantity of brainstormed ideas and design outcome. In some, but not all, experiments, correlations were found between the quantity of morphological alternatives and design outcome. This discrepancy between study results hints at the role of project length and difficulty in design. The volume of dimensioned drawings generated during the early-to-middle phases of design were found to correlate with design outcome, suggesting the importance of concrete sketching, timing and milestones in the design process.

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Acknowledgments

The author gratefully acknowledges the thoughtful support and guidance of Prof. Erik Antonsson, Prof. Joel Burdick, and Dr. Curtis Collins, and the design efforts of the students that are the foundation of this research. The work described in this paper was supported in part by the National Science Foundation under Award DMI-0547629. The opinions, findings, conclusions and recommendations expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsors. The author also acknowledges the generous sponsors of the advanced design course: Applied Materials, Amerigon, Dr. David and Mrs. Barbara Groce, Honeywell, idealab!, Mabuchi Motor, Northrop Grumman, The San Diego Foundation, and Toro.

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  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Systems Division, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Room 3-449B, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA

    Maria C. Yang

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  1. Maria C. Yang
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Correspondence to Maria C. Yang.

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Yang, M.C. Observations on concept generation and sketching in engineering design. Res Eng Design 20, 1–11 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00163-008-0055-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00163-008-0055-0

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