Title: Evolutionary product development as a design tool

Authors: Arthur O. Eger; J.W. Drukker

Addresses: Faculty of Engineering Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands. ' Faculty of Engineering Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands

Abstract: In an earlier study, the six phases of the economic product life cycle were complemented with a set of six qualitative 'product phases', which allows us to explain in what phases of the product life cycle qualities such as functionality, ergonomics, production technology, styling, as well as the service level and the ethical behaviour of a company are important. The six product phases are called: performance, optimisation, itemisation, segmentation, individualisation and awareness. In the original study, it was proposed that the product phases follow one after another. In a follow up study, it was concluded that the last three phases often exist simultaneously. In this paper, first the results of the follow up study are summarised. After that, the results will be presented of research into if and how master students of Industrial Design Engineering were able to use the theory to create starting points for new product development.

Keywords: evolutionary product development; product design; design history; design methodology; economic product life cycle; segmentation; individualisation; innovation; design education; industrial design; design engineering; new product development; NPD.

DOI: 10.1504/JDR.2012.047920

Journal of Design Research, 2012 Vol.10 No.3, pp.141 - 154

Received: 09 Nov 2010
Accepted: 14 Apr 2011
Published online: 30 Aug 2014 *

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