Title: Information and ideas: concept design in three industrial contexts

Authors: Andrew Wodehouse; William Ion

Addresses: Department of Design, Manufacture and Engineering Management (DMEM), University of Strathclyde, James Weir Building, 75 Montrose Street, Glasgow G1 1XJ, UK. ' Department of Design, Manufacture and Engineering Management (DMEM), University of Strathclyde, James Weir Building, 75 Montrose Street, Glasgow G1 1XJ, UK

Abstract: This paper reviews the application of a new concept design method in a number of industrial settings. The ICR grid is intended to better integrate information into the concept design process. In addition to sketching and sharing concepts in a manner similar to the 6-3-5 method, participants undertake information search tasks, use specific information items for concept development, and reflect on the merit of concepts as the session progresses. Three different companies were invited to utilise the method to address current design issues. Grid output, observation and semi-structured interviews were used to assess the performance of the method, with marked differences in use across organisations highlighting future potential applications and development.

Keywords: collaborative design; digital information; conceptual design; design process; information search.

DOI: 10.1504/JDR.2011.043368

Journal of Design Research, 2011 Vol.9 No.4, pp.390 - 404

Received: 27 Jul 2010
Accepted: 10 Jun 2011

Published online: 16 Oct 2014 *

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