Physiological concept: Visible modeling for feasible design

Conceptual design plays an important role in design stage as an initiation to interpret an abstract idea into a design concept. However, conceptual modeling in previous engineering designs provided premature detailed modeling. Such methodologies delivered almost pure quantitative techniques to do the modeling, which have made it difficult to do agile design process for specific-purposed products. Such products require unique approach for each situation. This paper proposes physiological concept modeling to overcome such phenomenon by combining process and functional modeling with qualitative interpretation. Physiological modeling incorporates derivation to transform idea into a design concept with almost no quantitative postulates. A case study on competition-based electric car is also provided to show an overview of application. The study concludes that there are seven steps required to do physiological modeling. The derivation can also bring flexibility for dynamic or continuous system by introducing cyclical & dynamic relationship between processes, including interventions from outside observed system and function of residue to accommodate side residues. By looking at previous techniques, this study brings a new light to produce design concept which is feasible but can be visibly modeled even by novice designers.