Quantifying Visual Product Attributes in Product Platform Design
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Helsinki University of Technology |
Diplomityö
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Date
2007
Department
Major/Subject
Koneensuunnitteluoppi
Mcode
Kon-41
Degree programme
Language
en
Pages
60 + liitt. (+31)
Series
Abstract
Utilizing product platforms is a widely used practise in product development with the purpose of achieving cost benefits from efficient reuse of common elements. The current theories on the use of product platforms are however mostly restricted to technical considerations. Integrated product development embraces different disciplines, including industrial design, in the attempt to create products that provide value to their users. Therefore, a comprehensive view of the implications of product platform decisions requires the considerations of all disciplines involved. The purpose of this study was to constitute the concept of design platform for considering industrial design as an integral part of product platform theory as well as providing a framework for discerning different elements of industrial design. This four-dimensional framework was applied in an analysis of design elements in consumer products. The suitability of the design platform concept and framework were analysed on the basis of the results. The results of the analysis indicate that the application of the framework in a platform identification process provides identifiable characteristics according to the presented definition for a design platform in a clear majority of the analyzed products. The concept of a design platform was therefore found justifiable and the framework was found suitable for most of the products in the analysed product categories. The conclusion was therefore that industrial design should be considered as an equal part of product platform theory along with along with other disciplines through the concept of design platforms.Description
Supervisor
Ekman, KaleviThesis advisor
Perttula, MattiHölttä-Otto, Katja
Keywords
product platform, industrial design, design platform