| It was the author's attempt to draw a generalized portrait of design problem-solving activities, thereby to develop a paradigm which describes how industrial designers go about inventing solutions to design problems using CAD technology, and to compare it with the traditional approach to industrial design. Based upon the results, the writer then suggested a schematic educational plan for use in computer-aided industrial design (CAID).; The author was concerned with the interior situational logic and the decision-making processes of designers in action, as well as with the theoretical dimension that both accounts for and influences this kind of undertaking. In its background, the study was grounded on two theoretical tenets: theory of human information processing and principles of Taoism. Based on the theoretical frameworks, the following categories of data were collected: the structural patterns of the solution paths between the designer and the situation to be solved, the behavioral patterns in the design process, and the stylistic invariants.; The research was carried out over a period of six months and involved observing designers in action as well as interviews with many practitioners. In this study, the researcher adopted two interconnected research methods: qualitative data analysis and protocol analysis. Through a review of the literature and the findings identified from the field research, the traditional design paradigm was developed. Based on the findings identified from the research procedures, the paradigm of the CAID approach was developed and compared with the traditional design approach. The researcher then translated them into a basic educational plan; the author suggested a revised apprenticeship method integrating the design curriculum of CAID. Then these paradigms and an educational guideline were evaluated by the expert panels consisting of educators and CAID specialists. The completed evaluation and the panel's suggestions were then taken into consideration to refine and improve the content of the final document. |
