Creativity Increases through Top-Down Design Procedures

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Abstract
Finke's notion of preinventive structure in top-down design was tested using Suh's methodology for top-down axiomatic design. Two groups of experimental subjects designed controls and displays for an “intelligent” automobile. One group was instructed to consider functional requirements and derive their design in a top-down fashion. The other group was also informed about functional requirements, and design methodology but was not instructed to use any particular design procedure. The first group produced significantly better designs than the second group - they were more creative, more practical and fulfilled design goals better. Top-down reasoning with careful consideration of functional requirements generated better design. Suh's methodology has an extra bonus, which is in agreement with Finke; it forces a slow deliberation of design features.

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