The impact of modular product design on innovation compared with design from first principles

Barker, T; Kokotovich, V

The impact of modular product design on innovation compared with design from first principles

Barker, T Kokotovich, V

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Publisher:: Design Research Society (DRS)
Publication Type:: Conference Proceeding
Citation:: Conference Proceedings, Design & Complexity, Design Research Society International Conference, 2010, pp. 1 - 11
Issue Date:: 2010-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Barker, T	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Kokotovich, V	en_US
dc.contributor.editor	Durling, DEA	en_US
dc.date	2010-07-07	en_US
dc.date.issued	2010-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Conference Proceedings, Design & Complexity, Design Research Society International Conference, 2010, pp. 1 - 11	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/16558
dc.description.abstract	The research looks at whether modular design methods can compromise innovation when compared with design from first principles. The questions that the authors investigated were: to what extent does modular product design restrict innovation in design? Is design from first principles a better starting point for innovation, and if this is the case, then what methods and environments facilitate design from first principles among design teams? The authors were also interested in the relationship between industry and academia when taking these differing approaches. The authors consider design from first principles to be where there is a significant shift in a product or system which - while addressing similar societal wants, needs and desires - is not built upon nor based on previous technological modules, or on existing design paradigms. These shifts derive from "tabula rasa" design research and lateral thinking, often in combination with new technologies or innovative technological combinations. These innovations are radical as they force creative and/or technological discontinuity. Informed by their projects with industry and academia, the researchers argue that modular-based physical products are generally more appropriate for evolutionary designs or mature products, and that a design from first principles approach is better suited to genuine innovation and step change design. However, in terms of the creative design process, a design from first principles approach can be accommodated in both modular and non-modular products or systems.	en_US
dc.publisher	Design Research Society (DRS)	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Conference Proceedings, Design & Complexity, Design Research Society International Conference	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	DRS 2010: Design & Complexity	en_US
dc.title	The impact of modular product design on innovation compared with design from first principles	en_US
dc.type	Conference Proceeding
utslib.location	United Kingdom	en_US
utslib.location.activity	Universite de Montreal, Canada	en_US
utslib.for	1203 Design Practice and Management	en_US
dc.location.activity	Universite de Montreal, Canada	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building/School of Design
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.consider-herdc	true	en_US
pubs.place-of-publication	United Kingdom	en_US
pubs.start-date	2010-07-07	en_US

Abstract:

The research looks at whether modular design methods can compromise innovation when compared with design from first principles. The questions that the authors investigated were: to what extent does modular product design restrict innovation in design? Is design from first principles a better starting point for innovation, and if this is the case, then what methods and environments facilitate design from first principles among design teams? The authors were also interested in the relationship between industry and academia when taking these differing approaches. The authors consider design from first principles to be where there is a significant shift in a product or system which - while addressing similar societal wants, needs and desires - is not built upon nor based on previous technological modules, or on existing design paradigms. These shifts derive from "tabula rasa" design research and lateral thinking, often in combination with new technologies or innovative technological combinations. These innovations are radical as they force creative and/or technological discontinuity. Informed by their projects with industry and academia, the researchers argue that modular-based physical products are generally more appropriate for evolutionary designs or mature products, and that a design from first principles approach is better suited to genuine innovation and step change design. However, in terms of the creative design process, a design from first principles approach can be accommodated in both modular and non-modular products or systems.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/16558