Engineering design is an exciting field with applications that encompass almost every aspect of our lives. And yet, questions abound about this discipline. Today we answer three of the most common.
What Is Engineering Design?
This term refers to the organized development and testing (through the use of creativity as well as mathematical and scientific knowledge) of products and processes that perform a desired function within specified limits.
The results of the engineering design process (see below) can be physical and three-dimensional, but also two-dimensional, like blueprints, or even digital, like computer software. Although this is a relatively recent term, some projects from the distant past are great demonstrations of engineering design skills, even by today’s standards
What Is the Engineering Design Process?
The engineering design process is a framework, a set of guidelines that help engineers reach their goals. This framework can change to fit certain specific needs. For example, the Boston Museum of Science uses a simplified six-step process (that NASA has adopted as well) to show children the basic principles that underlie engineering design.
Although there are many different versions of the engineering design process, all of them cover the following aspects:
- Requirements
- Product concept
- Solution concept
- Embodiment design
- Analysis
What Is the Difference Between Engineering Design and Scientific Method?
Above all, while the goal of the scientific method is the pursuit of knowledge in general, engineering design is focused on the development of products and processes.
In short, while a scientist aims to answer a question about nature, an engineering designer creates solutions that satisfy the needs of users and consumers.
Learn More About Engineering Design
Engineering design is an exciting field with myriad real-life applications. For example, these are some previous posts you can read to learn more about this fascinating topic.
- How is engineering design different from other types of design?
- A basic glossary of engineering design: part 1and part 2
- Engineering design for children: 5 useful benefits
- What is the engineering design process?
- The amazing history behind Roman bridges
- What is a Gantt chart?
Darnell Technical Services is an engineering design firm with extensive experience in a vast array of projects.
Our headquarters are located in Santa Ana, California, and we have an office in Las Vegas, Nevada. Contact us today by telephone (714-285-0082 (CA), 702-945-2899 (NV)) or through our social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to learn more about all the technical instruments and materials we put at your disposal.
