Evaluation of Industrial Designs by Using Analytical Hierarchy Process and Parallel Prototyping

Abstract

This article is about the analytic hierarchy process and parallel prototype concepts used in many theoretical and applied fields and their adaptation to the industrial product design process. Firstly the prototype concept is introduced, followed by AHP. The PROMETHEE method, which is included in the study as an additional validation method, is also briefly discussed and then a field study in which product designs are evaluated is presented. Of the various portable lighting product designs previously made, 3 have been selected for use in field study. In order to produce working prototypes of these, designs are modeled on the computer and detailed interior and exterior planning is done in order to be able to produce and use body parts. Body parts are manufactured in 3D printer and electronic circuits designed for them are mounted. The prototypes obtained were evaluated in interviews with 10 designers participating in the study according to the criteria selected and their opinions were saved as research data. This data was then evaluated using the AHP method and re-evaluated by using the PROMETHEE method for verification purposes. As a result of this process, the performances of the designs according to the selected criteria were calculated numerically and the design which will have the highest chance of success in the market was determined. It has been shown that the design evaluations can be made more objective and the accuracy of given decisions can be increased by adapting these tools to decision making and evaluation processes in industrial design. This, in turn, will have a positive impact on overall design quality