Recent rapid development of electronic technologies and semiconductors has made it possible to perform diverse intelligent functions even in simple products. This technological sophistication, in turn, made products invisible, which means to make it difficult to get required information on the usage of products by just its shape: for even simple function users need manual and time to learn how to use. Under these new circumstances, User-interface design became more important and getting much attentions among software engineering, human factors, and product design. However existing studies were mainly done with the emphasis of software development which made it difficult for product designers to apply for designing physical products. Moreover existing studies are focusing on the evaluation-stage after development of alternatives whereas designers need methods for the stage of concept development. This study sets the objective for developing modeling technique which can be applied to product design and the stage of concept development.
At first the role of modeling was discussed to understand the nature of modeling. Then the existing techniques of modeling were reviewed for identifying advantages and limits. The review of existing modeling techniques revealed general objectives which new modeling techniques should fulfill: to develop modeling techniques for the application of physical products; to develop modeling techniques for actual design stage; to develop the one which can link the concept and actual design; to develop more visual modeling techniques. Based on objectives new modeling techniques were proposed. Following this new techniques, actual case of modeling portable CD player were demonstrated to evaluate the validity of new technique and show the actual application. Finally findings were summarized and the limits of the study were identified.
