**3. Product design process**

Generally speaking, product design involves four periods, namely, the research phase, the analysis and positioning phase, conceptual design phase, detailed design phase, and the design output phase. According to different design objects, the specific matters of each stage are slightly different and complicated.

#### **3.1. The research phase**

thinking and practical activities. Those various methods used in the activities are collectively referred to as methods. No matter what you do, you must have proper methods, and the correctness or inferiority of the methods directly affects the success or failure of the work.

The main features of modern design are optimization, dynamics, diversification, and computerization. Commonly used design methods mainly include catastrophe method, information theory method, system theory method, discrete theory method, intelligent theory method, cybernetic method, correspondence theory method, optimization method, fuzzy theory

As for the relationship of product design process and methods, they complement and rely on

Firstly, the design process determines the steps of the design, while the method determines

Secondly, the design process itself requires specific methods and overall strategies to guide and support, and methods must be adapted and changed according to specific procedures. A clear and complete design process can guide in an orderly manner, simplify, and optimize the results in process. While designing, the appropriate method involved can solve the design

Finally, a design program provides a platform for the application of the method, which

Generally speaking, product design involves four periods, namely, the research phase, the analysis and positioning phase, conceptual design phase, detailed design phase, and the

method, and art theory methods [2].

**Figure 5.** Relation between process and methods.

38 Product Lifecycle Management - Terminology and Applications

each other, which is shown in **Figure 5**.

the design measures and effects.

problem efficiently and creatively.

**3. Product design process**

**2.3. Relationship between process and methods**

ensures the smoothness and efficiency of the program.

Design and research are in the initial stage of the design process. Knowing what we have, what we want, and where to get as well as how to get required information from seeing the micro-knowledge to know the significance, using existing information as the starting point, by means of analysis and synthesis methods, etc., to integrate the important influencing factors of the products involved, so as to guide the follow-up design in a targeted manner.

Generally speaking, the research phase mainly focuses on people, machines, and environment, as shown in **Figure 6**. Among them, people include target users, potential users, producers, sellers, recyclers, etc., which are related to the product life cycle; gender, age, education background, income level, social status, family conditions, as well as other factors which reflects in status, lifestyle, and values all have a profound impact on the future direction of product design. The machine mainly refers to the various attributes involved in the design object and related products including the current status of the market products and various property expectations of the products involved such as function, form, structure, color, human-machine relationship, usage, carrying method, etc. The existing attributes of the product market have a certain reference and guiding role for future design. From the existing market survey, we can understand the distribution and gathering of market products, so as to find the opportunity of post-development positioning. At the same time, the investigation of the attributes of future products can further clarify the product characteristics, zero to thin, and gradually deepen the refinement of product concept until the entire product design process is completed. The environment mainly refers to the natural and human context in which

**Figure 6.** Design research.

the design object is located. Any product is used in a certain time and space and social environment, and the product status should match the current environment, which can highlight the design intent and the characteristics of the times.

process from coarse to fine, from fuzzy to clear, and from abstract to concrete, which is a preparation stage for the visualization of the design conceptions after the above design posi-

Product Design Process and Methods http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.80821 41

Conceptual design determines the main purpose and developing direction of the future product, through which we can save our resource input as much as possible, help the following production and sales, extend the profit margin, and effectively estimate and guide the late recycling issues. Thus, conceptual design in the initial stage of product is undoubtedly a cru-

Detailed design is a visualization process based on the previous design concepts. It is extending and diverging based on design concepts and gradually forms a visual clear plan, as

tioning is determined.

**3.4. Detailed design**

**Figure 8.** Divergent thinking.

cial part of product life cycle.

#### **3.2. The analysis and positioning stage**

The analysis and positioning stage is mainly based on the abovementioned research information. Through the actual deep investigation of people, machines, and environment, we are firstly able to analyze the direct and potential needs of the users, so as to achieve design customization in a targeted manner. Secondly, the investigation of the machine can be intuitive and effective in discovering market development opportunities. In general, we can explore products from two aspects. On the one hand, in the state of market agglomeration, it means that the product status is very suitable for the current trend and can meet the needs of most users. It can be used as a follow-up product development, taking the advantages of popular goods and targeting the mainstream of the market. On the other hand, as to the market's unpopular performance, the challenge of the alternative way of solving problems with the mutant thinking and the use of unique strategies to creatively complete the development of brand-new products can be reversely considered, as shown in **Figure 7**. In terms of environment, in view of the indivisibility of product use and environment, the product environment is reversely inferred from the use environment, and the consideration and development of the support are beneficial to maintain the performance of the product for a long time, thereby ensuring the service life of the product and saving the human, material, and financial investment in the industrial chain.

On the basis of design analysis, the related aspects of the products involved are positioned to create a benchmark for subsequent series development and visual design, which lays the design direction and basis for the whole design process.

#### **3.3. Conceptual design stage**

Conceptual design is a series of organized and targeted concepts of concise design based on analysis of the previous market demand and user needs. It manifests itself as an evolving

**Figure 7.** Distribution analysis.

process from coarse to fine, from fuzzy to clear, and from abstract to concrete, which is a preparation stage for the visualization of the design conceptions after the above design positioning is determined.

Conceptual design determines the main purpose and developing direction of the future product, through which we can save our resource input as much as possible, help the following production and sales, extend the profit margin, and effectively estimate and guide the late recycling issues. Thus, conceptual design in the initial stage of product is undoubtedly a crucial part of product life cycle.
