Title: A method for the evaluation of meaning structures and its application in conceptual design

Authors: Georgi V. Georgiev, Yukari Nagai, Toshiharu Taura

Addresses: School of Knowledge Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 1-1 Asahidai, Nomi, 923-1292, Japan. ' School of Knowledge Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 1-1 Asahidai, Nomi, 923-1292, Japan. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai-cho, Nada-ku, Kobe, 657-8501, Japan

Abstract: In this paper, we discuss the relations between the viewpoints of users and designers. The main issue in design is that the user|s and designer|s viewpoints do not integrate well. In this study, we integrate the user|s viewpoint into our new proposed design methodology by applying a meaning-based framework in conceptual design. This methodology introduces a user-derived evaluation of |structure of meaning elements| (SoME) as part of the user|s viewpoint into the particular design phase. Furthermore, we test the proposed design methodology in a case study. The results outline the feasibility of the framework. This study reveals details of how concepts are formed in design and how concept formation can be achieved using design methodology. The significance of this study for science and practical application lies in the proposed integration of the user-derived evaluation of SoME as a step in the design methodology.

Keywords: user viewpoint; designer viewpoint; design process; design creativity; conceptual design; meanings; search; evaluation; meaning elements; meaning structures; semantic networks; evaluation tools; design support; design methodology.

DOI: 10.1504/JDR.2010.032607

Journal of Design Research, 2010 Vol.8 No.3, pp.214 - 234

Published online: 08 Apr 2010 *

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