A study to the influence of applying analogy method in concept development

A reason for using the design method is to facilitate the production of ideas within a certain period. Given many studies of design methods only focus on general introductions about the steps of conduction, the limits of the method, and the applying field of a method, the subtle value of a design method remains ambiguous, increasing the actual usability of a design method uncertain. In this article, we postulate that this might be due to the inappropriate approach in previous studies of design method. In this article, we argue that neither assessing the design outcome produced with the assistance of a method nor the comparing method to the design outcome can reveal the value of a design method clearly. Alternatively, this study will identify the value of a design method by exploring the influences of a design method – analogy, to the quality of design idea, and to the designers’ interaction. Two design groups, each containing five members, were employed in a design trial, in which only one group is given analogy method. The primary analysis includes the evaluation of quality of design idea produced in each group by means of four criteria: creativity, feasibility, development and relevant; and a comparison analysis to the quality of the idea generating process between the two groups. Results suggest significant difference in the quality of outcomes (the ideas) between with and without using the method. The process analysis found the different communication mode and idea generation, and the different role of mediator between the two groups. We concluded that the use of this particular design method, by modifying the way of and facilitating the group members’ thinking and interaction, could change the way of group collaboration and increase the thresholds of idea creation, resulting in the different quality of ideas.