Case-Based Design Method Using Concept Space of Personal Image

In this paper, a method for design of a new product suited for the personal image is proposed. The method consists of two phases. In the first phase, a concept space is formed by using user's personal images of several existing products. In the second phase, a new product is designed from similar three products which are located near the position corresponding to required image in the concept space. This method can create products from the viewpoint of personal specification, because a concept space is formed based on each user's images of existing products. In this method, new product is designed from similar products by applying “operations.” “Operations” are defined as unit manipulations of some partial features of product. As a result, discrete parameters of design could be treated by this method. Using some simple pictures, the experiment to create new simple pictures suited for personal image is made. The concept space of the test subject is formed by his picture image, and some new pictures are created. Since new pictures produced in the experiment are suited for test subject's image, it is found out that this method could create new design suited for personal image.