Final answer:
The main objective of the 'Idea generation' stage is to brainstorm a wide range of ideas, which are then refined into potential solutions that satisfy design criteria and constraints. The correct option is C.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary objective of the stage in the new product development process aimed at generating a pool of ideas and refining them for potential development is c) Idea generation.
During this phase, the design team is encouraged to generate as many ideas as possible from a variety of sources such as existing products, brainstormed ideas, scientific principles, and market and technical research. It's critical to explore a wide range of possibilities to formulate a set of potential solutions that meet the established requirements and constraints.
This exploration can involve brainstorming alternative solutions and refining the design based on testing and evaluation. Many ideas may be discarded if they do not hold potential or do not fulfill the necessary criteria and constraints of the design problem.