A Conceptual Model of Product Design

Abstract

The paper presents a conceptual model that pursues the understanding of the activities, the phases and the mechanisms of product design. The purpose of this model is to aid the product conception phase, as well as to develop software products that can furthermore aid design. The model takes into account the entire mental potential of the human being. The paper uses Jung's model in order to describe the various aspects of the human psyche. The paper presents a number of design models from the scientific literature. The proposed model defines domains of the needs imposed by stakeholders and specialists, functions domains and product domains. It explains the mechanism through which information is passed from one domain to another. As the information travels between domains, it undergoes a series of modelling and objectivation processes. The model is explained in better detail for the first phase of product design; however, it is applicable in all phases of product lifecycle. In the space and time coordinates used by the model, the conception appears as a spiral.