Product design with soft set theory

The first stage of product design is a simple sketch by a stylist. The attributes of the product can easily be expressed using words, for example, thin and sharp. This paper delves into a preliminary stage of product design based on the needs of potential customers. Taking into consideration of an anatomy of a speaker as a case study, we first classify its main attribute which attracts potential customers. These attributes are expressed using appropriate semantics which is represented with suitable variations of words. It is then distributed to potential customers. The survey data is then represented with soft set. The set of attributes which represent potential customers’ preference are identified by modifying existing soft set decision making algorithm to suit product design environment. The final results show a set of attributes for mass manufacture and the importance of each attributes were also identified.