Natphoric computer-aided Kansei Engineering system

Abstract

Sophisticated consumers and highly competitive environment has forced designers and manufacturers to realize the importance of consumer emotion in creative product design. Kansei Engineering (KE) is a technology that enables discovery of consumer's emotions when interacting with a product and use them to formulate a guide in designing products that can win consumers in a competitive market. However, there are not many Kansei experts in the world today and there is no rule of thumb or specific manual for the process. This research proposes a computer-aided Natphoric Kansei Engineering system that will aid users in the process. The system incorporated step-by-step technique of KE type 1 and automate word classification process that usually requires expertise in KE. Result of the system is compared with the one which is done by an expert. From the result, it is shown that the system is able to provide similar output. The system will benefit the product inventors and designers, especially in Malaysia, where there is in need of a good design method to produce innovative product.