Abstract
The work which forms the basis of this paper is aimed at solving the following two problem areas of support systems for shape creation in product design : a. Expression of complex design viewpoints for the creation of new proposals of shape. b. Relating abstract words to concrete shapes by use of meaning. Firstly, in order to solve (a), development of a fuzzy reasoning model was under taken, for the purpose of generating new proposals of shape using a complex evaluation plane of an arrangement of sample shapes. The results of simulation by the model was compared from the viewpoint of obtaining new shape proposals, and a reasonable degree of success was observed. Secondly, in order to solve (b), development of a further fuzzy reasoning model for relating words to shapes. The results of simulation by the model were compared to designer's judgment feeling of shapes, and again a reasonable degree of success was observed. Finally, for application of the two models, an experiment was conducted, based on proposals of shape obtained by processing input words. The practicality of the results was considered from a designer's viewpoint and it is considered that the system may be useful.
