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Transforming early concepts with Design Heuristics

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Abstract

Idea development in the early phases of the design process often involves the transformation of initial concepts into more feasible alternatives. However, this important component of design activity is often under-emphasized in design education, and tools to facilitate iteration of designs are limited. This study investigated Design Heuristics as a tool for the further development of initial concepts created by student designers. In a single session, advanced engineering students created initial concepts, and then used Design Heuristics to transform these concepts into alternative designs. The concept sets generated were analyzed, and eight types of transformations were identified, including the enhancement of aesthetics, features, functions, settings, materials, sizes, organizations, and usability. Design Heuristics supported students’ concept development by providing specific suggestions about ways to iterate on their initial concepts. As a result, students explored alternative concepts by producing multiple transformations of their designs, and were more likely to select these transformed concepts as their most creative, unique, and favourite designs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Education, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, V94 T9PX, Ireland

    Keelin Leahy

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA

    Shanna R. Daly & Jaclyn K. Murray

  3. Department of Industrial Design, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA

    Seda McKilligan

  4. Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-1043, USA

    Colleen M. Seifert

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  1. Keelin Leahy
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  2. Shanna R. Daly
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  4. Seda McKilligan
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  5. Colleen M. Seifert
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Correspondence to Keelin Leahy.

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Leahy, K., Daly, S.R., Murray, J.K. et al. Transforming early concepts with Design Heuristics. Int J Technol Des Educ 29, 759–779 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-018-9473-0

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