In order to obtain product designs that maximize their appeal to customers,
a concurrent product design method is proposed in which aesthetic factors
are implemented during conventional product design. Aesthetic attributes, w
hich are a subset of subjective attributes, are evaluated concurrently with
analytically obtained objective attributes of the product's characteristic
s. The interaction of these aesthetic and objective at tributes, as it rela
tes to the product's utility and manufacturing cost, is clarified. Ultimate
ly, the solution that has the minimum ratio of manufactured cost relative t
o the customer's expected product price is selected as the optimum design s
olution. Applied examples pertaining to robot designs are given, to demonst
rate these methodologies.