# Ecological Design with the Use of Selected Inventive Methods including AI-Based
## 4 Development of Product Concept
### Creativity Sessions with the Use of Selected Methods  
The implementation of inventive methods in the development of an eco-innovation was divided into two stages. Each stage was carried out using different methods, while the brainstorming method was applied to bring the two stages together. The respondents were divided into groups of three or four. Questionnaires had been developed to collect the ideas. At stage one, the word game (associations) and superpositions were applied. The respondents were made familiar with the general topic of the research only--they were told that the eco-innovative product to be created was a small-sized environmentally friendly refrigerator. Using the methods mentioned above, the respondents were to associate the term'refrigerator' with other objects. The expected outcome of this stage was the indication of which environmental solutions should be given a closer look at the next stage, rather than the working out of a particular solution. The stage was named the creativity session. At stage two, referred to as the improvement session, the stimulating and reverse brainstorming methods were used. An initial concept of the eco-innovation was presented and a list of biased ([PERSON]'s) questions was developed. The outcome of this stage was a set of particular solutions proposed to be applied in the product design.  
Before stage one commenced, a questionnaire had been drawn up and given to the participants of the creativity session. The participants were made familiar with the rules of the session and divided into groups. Discussion was allowed within the groups to generate the greatest possible number of ideas. Each group developed their own ideas. Stage one lasted ca. 15 min. At stage two, participants in the improvement session gave answers to the biased questions based on the reverse brainstorming and stimulating methods. The keynote of stage one was 'association--a refrigerator in 20 years' time'. Auxiliary questions were prepared (Figure 2). At stage two, questions were related to the eco-innovation. All the questions asked at stage one and two are listed in Figure 2.  
The two stages delivered a number of ideas for solutions which can be applied in the design of an environmentally friendly refrigerator. Selected ideas are shown in Table 3.  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{p{142.3 pt} p{142.3 pt} p{142.3 pt}} \hline \hline
The creativity session focused on the specification and appearance of the fridge, while participants in the improvement session concentrated more on the environmental aspects and the types of materials which could be used in the fridge. After an analysis, the most technically feasible solutions were chosen with a particular regard for the environmental aspects. The project team analysed all of the proposals and selected the following solutions to be applied in the design:  
* Storage drawers--with transparent fronts;
* For living room/bathroom use;
* A Smart Glass door;
* Rounded edges;
* Matching the furniture;
* For the storage of medicines and cosmetics;
* Thin walls;
* Modular structure--various modules to choose from--the possibility to assemble the product;
* Removable partitions;
* Lightweight.  
The materials selected included wood, glass, and plastics, most of them recyclable.  
The decision was made to apply an antibacterial coating with silver compounds, and LED lighting.