Idea Creative Method Based on Metaphor for Product Design

Abstract

The purpose of the research is to propose idea creative method base on metaphor. This method should be included to consider user’s lifestyle. Author proposed design method was done from the analysis of the previous work concerning the metaphor and an existing product. It was thought that three patterns “form”, “Concept”, and “Operation” were effective in use of the metaphor. The prototype was made, and the effectiveness of the conception support method that had done the hypothesis was verified. The kitchen timer was selected this design object. To understand the feature and the improvement of the use pattern of each metaphor, the pattern of thinking that the produced prototype drew was arranged, and visualized. Moreover, the assessment experiment was done to two students who were majoring in the design to judge the improvement of the prototype and the effectiveness of the idea creative method objectively. As for the metaphor using the “Concept”, it has been understood that an effective possibility to improve user’s interest and curiosity is high in the use pattern of three metaphors. The following want to do the workshop using the conception support method, and to verify effectiveness.