Ponn, JosefLindemann, UdoDiehl, HolgerMüller, FranzJoaquim Armando Pires Jorge and Eric Galin and John F. Hughes2014-01-272014-01-2720043-905673-16-91812-3503https://doi.org/10.2312/SBM/SBM04/027-033The early phases of product development play a significant role for the success of a product and the prevention of time and money consuming changes in late phases. This paper describes a new methodological approach for the genereration of principle solutions in the form of sketches in early phases of product development. A guideline has been developed for a target-oriented and efficient progression from working principles to principle solutions. In particular, the linkage between physical effects and form parameters (geometry, materials etc.) has been investigated. A computer system including physical effects as features which can be used for the generation of digital principle sketches is described as a vision. Such a system offers the potential of facilitating routine work and supporting the engineer in defining solution concepts at early stages of product design.