A Study of Creative Design Based on the Axiomatic Design Theory

Abstract This paper deals with creative processes in engineering design. The study is based on the axiomatic design theory (Suh, 1988, 1990). The creative processes involved in engineering design are not yet fully understood. However, it is an exciting theme to study how human designers can generate designs or design concepts that are superior to those currently possible in terms of performance, manufacturability, reliability, cost, etc. This paper first reviews the axiomatic design theory. Then, the creative processes in three different design steps are discussed based on the axiomatic design theory. The creative processes are illustrated using the design of paper handling mechanisms of an ATM (Automatic teller machine).