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Iowa State University

Design problem exploration

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>The problem generation space is a critical stage in the design process that reflects the outcome of a solution. However, limited research has been conducted on problem space within design education to aid in the creative process. Within the problem generation space, there are multiple alternative views to reframe a problem statement which ultimately impact the solution. More novel problem statements have reflected an increase in unique concepts. By providing a toolset for students to diversify their problems, new perspectives of the problem are taken into the idea generation space. Research has identified heuristics that frame a problem, which have found to be helpful.</p> <p>Two studies are provided to understand the relationship between heuristics and reframed statements. Study 1 analyzed students’ reframed statements without the aid of heuristics. Sixteen strategies were observed in this classroom study. In Study 2, a digital tool with twelve identified strategies were used to provide a randomized selection for implementation. Design and engineer students were used in a classroom study; each completed three strategies to compare the outcomes. The goal of Study 2 was to identify whether the students implemented the strategies and how they used each within their statements. A complementary aim was to understand how much diversity was created among the new problems after strategy use. The research reported in this paper uncovers certain strategies that performed superior in various conditions amongst other strategies within the problem generation space.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
thesis
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Human Computer Interaction
Department dc:contributor.department
Department of Industrial Design
Year dc:date.issued
2019

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Creeger, Samantha
Advisor dc:contributor.advisor
  • Seda McKilligan

Rights

Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Identifier
archive/lib.dr.iastate.edu/etd/16991/
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:dr.lib.iastate.edu:20.500.12876/31174

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Iowa State University
Base URL
dr.lib.iastate.edu/server/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
related terms
citation

Creeger, Samantha. Design problem exploration. thesis thesis, 2019. https://dr.lib.iastate.edu/handle/20.500.12876/31174