Since I do some backpacking, here is what I would like in a stove:

Small and light weight
Use easy to pack fuel
Easy to "level" and stabilize
The top should "grip" small pots and pans so they don't slide off if not perfectly level.
Easily adjustable flame

There are lots of small backpacking stoves out there but I have found that most are not too stable and you really have to keep them almost perfectly level or your cook pot will slide right off into the dirt.

First with any R&D you need to find out what already exists, what is popular and why. It is a waste to re-invent the wheel. Also you didn't specify what knid of camping are you thinking about? Stoves need a heat source, be light weight, wind proof, stable, easy to clean, compact, easy to turn on the heat, rust proof as possible, and adjustable heat. Two burner or a single? Define what type of camping it is for and use an energy source that is readily available and cheap. Campmor catalog describes lots of stoves for different purposes. Good luck and don't blow up something!

two burners, propane, collapsable/removable windbreaks on three sides. paint it forest green.

Camp Cook Stoves must have three sides very well protected from any breeze. The stove must be sturdy and strong enough to stand up to large skillets.

When Men cook, in their camps, they may only use one skillet for everything. For Example:

Fry your bacon and pour off the grease in a sealed can to take home with you, then Peel an onion, cut it up and toss in the skillet. Chop up some Potatoes and toss them in the skillet. Add some spices and Herbs, break some eggs and scrable them into the skillet and stir till done. Grab your fork and eat out of the skillet.

When the meal is over, scrub out the skillet in the surf with sand... voila.... cleaned and ready for lunch cooking.

You want t use white gas. Propane does not burn hot enough.

Backpacking I use a Pepsi can stove with denatured alcohol.

First, you have to decide if the camping stove is for backpacking or car camping. For backpacking, people want easy use,easy fuel, and quick heat, plus ultra light weight. For car camping, you want at least 3 burners, easy to clean, easy fuel and a nice way to store it. It must be able to regulate the heat easily too. These are my high priorities.

The flame and the grill over the flame are two important points to consider.

A car camping grill would optimally have two burners, one for larger skillets and grilling burgers / dogs and the other for heating water and smaller items. Flames must be adjustable and protected from water / grease. Nasty junk often gets down near the flames of a grill - so making sure they are protected is important.

Backpacking stoves are quite a different beast. They have to be light weight and compact. This challenge would be much greater - I'd suggest sticking with the 'car camping' stove.

What backpackers want is a stove that's light, boils water fast, can be made to simmer, and uses natural sustainable fuels. The latest thing is wood burning backpacking stoves made out of lightweight materials that have either an electric fan or tube you blow on to act as a bellows. They burn small pieces of wood, cones, etc. picked up at your camp site. Similar to the old Sierra Zip Stove, but lighter.

I use a MSR whisperlite internationale stove for backpacking/ mountaineering
It's fairly light weight
easy to maintain and repair
boils water very fast
works at high altitude
uses a variety of fuels for overseas trips

I wish it was easier to simmer and the base could be more sturdy. It likes to tip when I have a full pot on it.