2018_EJRNL_PP_KUN-HSI_LIAO_1.pdf
Terbatas Noor Pujiati.,S.Sos
» ITB
Terbatas Noor Pujiati.,S.Sos
» ITB
Three-dimensional (3D) product design is an essential ability that students of
subjects related to product design must acquire. The factors that affect designers’ per-
formance in 3D design are numerous, one of which is spatial abilities. Studies have
reported that spatial abilities can be used to effectively predict people’s performance in
conducting complex operations. Nevertheless, few studies have explored the relationship
between spatial abilities and designers’ performance in 3D product design. Spatial ability is
a type of mental ability and comprises numerous factors. Carton box design is a typical
type of standardized 3D product design, in which designers’ performance is affected by the
spatial abilities they possess. The most crucial factor among these abilities is the space
conversion ability, which is the ability to convert two-dimensional (2D) surface devel-
opments into 3D perspective views and convert 3D carton boxes into 2D plans. These
operations require an in-depth perception of objects, an understanding of the relative
spatial relations among objects, and spatial visualization. In this study, carton box design
was used as an example to investigate, using structural equation modeling, the effects that
the ability to understand spatial relations, spatial orientation, and spatial visualization have
on designers’ performance in 3D product design. The results indicated that all three spatial
abilities (i.e., understanding spatial relations, spatial orientation, and spatial visualization)
directly influence designers’ performance in carton box design. Therefore, spatial abilities
are vital factors affecting designers’ performance in 3D product design.