A RESEARCH OVERVIEW OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN FRAMEWORK FOR MODULAR PRODUCT DESIGN

This research paper concerns industrial design and its potential to support design and development needs in product modularisation. The aim of the research is to develop a systemic approach to optimise industrial design prospects in modular product design through the application of a new framework known as InDFM (Industrial Design Framework for Modular Product Design/Development). The hypothesis is that product design and development organisations have failed to take full advantages of this prospect, taking an ad hoc or localised approach to industrial design within their modular product development process. The application of InDFM is supported by a defined and comprehensive technical guideline document that is essential for successful application of the framework. InDFM is the outcome of PhD research being conducted at Loughborough University in the UK that currently in its final development stage. Once fully developed the framework will undergo validation with a number of European based companies.