Title: Nature and role of intermediate representations (IR) in the design process: case studies in car design

Authors: Carole Bouchard, Roger Camous, Ameziane Aoussat

Addresses: Laboratory CPN-ENSAM, 151 Bd de l'Hopital, 75013 Paris, France. ' University of Montreal, School of Industrial Design, CP 6128, succursale Centre-ville, Montreal (Quebec) H3C 3J7, Canada. ' Laboratory CPN-ENSAM, 151 Bd de l'Hopital, 75013 Paris, France

Abstract: This paper aims to show the key role of the intermediate representations (IR) in the design process and especially in the car design process. For a better understanding of the concept of design, which is by nature conceptual, we propose to study the concept of IR. To this end, we will present the three following parts: description of IR in the design process; nature of IR; and role of IR in the design process. We chose to illustrate this paper with our experience essentially in car design because the design process in this field is historically formatted and very formalised and complex. Besides, this activity is based on the intervention of many professional teams.

Keywords: car design; design process; intermediate representations; materialisation; mental representations; physical representations; vehicle design; automotive design; cognitive science; engineering design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2005.006602

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2005 Vol.38 No.1, pp.1 - 25

Published online: 25 Mar 2005 *

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