Abstract: Directed to features of creative thinking for industrial design, constructing the
basic element model for innovative design is presented to meet the formalized, efficient
idea-forming-process target for breaking the Inspiration generation "Black Box". Using the theory
of extension basic element, the method of creative design and the characterization is proposed,
which concludes the conception methods from four points of Special features，Special attributes，
Special rules and Relations isomorphism. Then, the points for the matter-element acquisition are
cleared to promote the core quality of the innovation effectively. Finally, taking the Household
humidifier design as an example, the effectiveness, practicality and innovativeness of the method
is verified.

Key words: basic element model, creative design, product form, design method, formal
representation