Product Design with Embodiment Design as a New Perspective

Abstract

Product Design is the solving of a design problem from the assignment to the final product design. Many design methods may lead to a product design but also the design process which include embodiment design. The most time absorbing part of the design process is, in general, embodiment design: going from idea to realisation. In figure 1 a design process is drawn up, including embodiment design. Product design is not business as usual, according to Kyffin (2007) of Philips Design. This statement has a presupposition that every product design needs an original approach of the design process to solve the design problem. Design needs to change, to enrich our cultures, to respond to the new world and new world economies, to create lifestyles, to develop quality life and explore innovative technologies in relevant new products. First the answer should be given on the question “What is embodiment design?” Embodiment Design will be understood as the design phase where ideas get just some matter added and consequently a product structure, a product layout and a working principle. But the physical aspects should be meeting the requirement concerning the use, interaction and the ergonomics: the emotional aspects. During the design process the amount of uncertainty decreases and the amount of certainty increases. Every step in the design process is generating design information which reduces the uncertainty. The tools used in this design phase are countless. Problems are enclosed in the assignment; at different levels and stages of design. Recognized problems can be transformed by the designer to a solution at certain levels and different stages of the product design process. Every time a designer makes a choice, he also has to look at the method that will lead to the most ideal product design solution. The goal of the product design is creating a product that fulfills its functions, looks beautiful, can be produced economically and is sustainable. The new perspective will be reached by the designer with methods that may bring embodiment design to the conceptual stage. The key aim is to understand the alteration that is needed to move Embodiment Design to the conceptual phase. This is the new perspective for Embodiment Design which be researched in the near future.