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Comparing novelty of designs from biological-inspiration with those from brainstorming

Keshwani, Sonal and Lenau, Torben Anker and Ahmed-Kristensen, Saeema and Chakrabarti, Amaresh (2017) Comparing novelty of designs from biological-inspiration with those from brainstorming. In: JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING DESIGN, 28 (10-12). pp. 654-680.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09544828.2017.1393504

Abstract

This research aims to understand the significance of biological-analogies in fostering novelty by comparing biological-analogies with other design methods for idea generation. Among other design methods, brainstorming was chosen here as benchmark. Four studies were conducted to compare: (i) the levels of abstraction at which concepts were ideated using biological inspiration (represented using biocards) with that using traditional brainstorming; and (ii) the novelty of concepts produced by using these two design methods. Concepts produced in these studies were evaluated for levels of abstraction at which they were ideated, average novelty, and proportion of high-novelty concepts. Results suggest that concepts generated using biocards were ideated at higher abstraction levels than those using brainstorming, but neither were at the highest abstraction levels. The average novelty of concepts produced using biocards was found to be greater than that using brainstorming; however, no statistically significant difference was found in the proportion of high-novelty concepts. We suspect the lack of biological knowledge and cultural difference among the subjects involved in our studies as the two reasons behind the results. The results demonstrate that the design methods substantially influence the novelty of concepts generated, while indicating the need for better training in effective use of biological-analogies.

Item Type: Journal Article
Publication: JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING DESIGN
Additional Information: Copy right for this article belongs to the TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD, 2-4 PARK SQUARE, MILTON PARK, ABINGDON OR14 4RN, OXON, ENGLAND
Department/Centre: Division of Mechanical Sciences > Centre for Product Design & Manufacturing
Date Deposited: 23 Dec 2017 08:29
Last Modified: 23 Dec 2017 08:29
URI: http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/58529

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