A computer implemented method includes performing a statistical analysis on a database of product shape information and identifying product characteristics based on statistical relationships among the shapes in the product database. A plurality of production rules that express the allowable variations of shapes defining the product characteristics is generated, and the generated rules are saved in a database for use in generating product designs according to the application of the rules. Another aspect of the invention is directed to a method which includes enabling a plurality of characteristic software agents to control the application of production rules to that agent's assigned characteristic so that each characteristic software agent generates a portion of a candidate design; determining if each of the portions of a candidate design is to be saved; saving a plurality of completed candidate designs; soliciting consumer responses to the plurality of candidate designs; and performing an analysis of the consumer responses to identify consumer preferences.
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