Abstract
The intention of this research is to provide a conceptual basis for the design and construction of a geometric modeling system that dovetails with the way designer plan and visualize objects. This dissertation focuses on two central issues: (1) how are design concepts formed in response to the perception of problem needs and requirements in the conceptual design stage and (2) how can these concepts be represented and manipulated in a computer to provide the designer with effective automated support during conceptualization process? The first question is approached by an analysis of the cognitive skills needed in concept formation. Concept formation is a process used by designers to transform ill-structured problems into structural descriptions of a design. In this process, the designer individuates the perceived information into a set of perceived concepts. The perceived concepts are then categorized into concrete and abstract concepts depending on whether they correspond to image or non-image information (e.g., propositions). Finally, through association between concepts the interrelationships between concepts are formulated. The second question is approached by an analysis of the way the designer describes shapes in the design process. As a result of this analysis, a shape description process is proposed which supports the designer by providing a set of self-evident shape operations which is intuitive to the designer as well as executable in a computer-based design environment. These two major cognitive processes in conceptual design are identified as concept formation and shape description. The rationale for these processes was based on an examination of the cognitive processing activities required (1) to understand a design problem, (2) to realize the intended design by creating mental models of the design, and (3) to describe the mental models to the design environment. Shape conceptualization in design encompasses the design knowledge and cognitive skills of a human designer as well as the representation schemes and design tools supported by CAD systems...
Huang, Chun-Jack (1992). Shape conceptualization in design. Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University. Libraries. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /DISSERTATIONS -1397365.