The Transformation Method Research Of The Users Demand To Product Attributes In The Conceptual Phase

Consumer oriented design has become a critical factor for a successful product engineering. However, due to the changing requirements of consumers, the designer’s perception of a product becomes abstract and not clear. As a result, the designers need to combine the opinions of the consumers effectively in the process of designation. Design is to satisfy the needs of users and the users need are satisfied by the product attributes. In fact, there are some cognitive differences between designers and consumers in the transformation process of demand becoming product attributes.The main purpose of this study was to develop a cognitive structure model, which can understand the cognitive similarities and differences of product attributes between the designer and the users as much as possible and ultimately guide the product design.In order to realize the transformation of demand to product attributes, the first step is to establish the cognitive structure model by using the mind mapping and present the designer’s cognition. Then studying the cognitive of consumers by the matrix. In the end, a flow value class diagram was used to present the method that the designer and user can reach a consensus in the transformation of demand to product attributes.This cognitive structure model was tested by a case that was about the design of personal mobile communication device for old people. It was proved that establishing cognitive structure model to implement the transformation of demand to product attributes is operable and practical. This model is effective in enhancing the consensus of product cognitive between the designers and users.Finally, the design of the personal mobile communications equipment for old people was carried out successfully under the instruction of the research achievement in this research.