In this paper, a simple design method for improving the performance of an interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM), for driving the air-conditioning compressor used in hybrid electric vehicles, is presented. There are many design methods that optimize the IPMSM. Each method deals with a variety of design factors, such as slot opening, pole arc, and rotor shape. However, as the number of design variables increases, a lot of modeling and analysis time is needed in order to improve the characteristics of an IPMSM. This paper demonstrates that the optimization of a double-layer IPMSM, satisfying the given design conditions, is possible with only a flux barrier shape design. Then, response surface methodology is applied as the optimization method, and the validity of the design approach is verified by comparison with test results.