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Module 6

This document provides an introduction to engineering design and creativity. It discusses the engineering design process, which is an 8-step method that includes defining needs, specifications, constraints, developing possible solutions, selecting an optimal design, testing and evaluation. Creativity occurs throughout the process, especially when developing and evaluating designs. The document also discusses why creativity is important from the perspectives of 4 experts, who note that creativity meets demands of the new century, raises living standards, creates new leaders, and generates new life forms through advances like genetic engineering.

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Julius Boitizon
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
41 views

Module 6

This document provides an introduction to engineering design and creativity. It discusses the engineering design process, which is an 8-step method that includes defining needs, specifications, constraints, developing possible solutions, selecting an optimal design, testing and evaluation. Creativity occurs throughout the process, especially when developing and evaluating designs. The document also discusses why creativity is important from the perspectives of 4 experts, who note that creativity meets demands of the new century, raises living standards, creates new leaders, and generates new life forms through advances like genetic engineering.

Uploaded by

Julius Boitizon
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ME Orientation

Engineering Design and Creativity


Introduction to Engineering Design

The engineering design process is a step-by-step method to produce a device,


structure, or system that satisfies a need. Sometimes this need comes from an
external source. For example, the U.S. Air Force might need a missile system to
launch a 1,000-pound communications satellite into synchronous orbit around the
earth. Other times, the need arises from ideas generated within a company. For
example, consumers did not initiate the need for various sizes of little rectangular
yellow papers that would stick onto almost anything yet be removed easily when 3M
invented “Post-its”. Whatever the source, the need is generally translated into a set of
specifications (“specs”). These include performance specifications (e.g., weight, size,
speed, safety, reliability), economic specifications (e.g., cost), and scheduling
specifications (e.g., production and delivery dates).

Contact:
Ronelito San Jose [email protected]
ME Orientation

What are you expected to learn from this module?


After completing this module, you should be able to;

1. Familiarize with the engineering design process.


2. Identify where and when in the process of design does creativity occur.

Let’s get started!


As you read the following topics, pay attention to key points and the
activities. God bless as you begin!

THE ENGINEERING DESIGN PROCESS


Now that you have been introduced to the first two steps – identifying the need
and then drawing up specifications to meet that need – a complete eight-step
engineering design process can be illustrated by the schematic below.

Contact:
Ronelito San Jose [email protected]
ME Orientation

From this schematic you can see that each step of the design process reflects a
very logical, thorough problem-solving process. The customer need or business
opportunity (Step 1) leads to a problem definition, including a description of the
design specifications (Step 2).
Early in the design process, a number of constraints may be identified. Whatever
these constraints may be – e.g., availability of parts and materials, personnel, and/or
facilities – the final design must not only meet all design specifications but also satisfy
any constraints. The problem definition, specifications, and constraints will need to be
supplemented by additional data and information (Step 3) before the development of
possible solutions can begin. This step might, for example, involve learning about new
technologies and where information is lacking, research may need to be done. The
process of developing and evaluating possible designs (Steps 4 and 5) involves not
only creativity but also the use of computer-aided drafting (CAD), stress analysis,
computer modelling, material science, and manufacturing processes. Engineers also
bring common sense and experience to the design process. At the conclusion of Step
5, based on a comparative evaluation, the optimal design will be selected. Step 6
involves implementing the optimal design, which in many cases involves fabrication of
a device. Fabrication of several designs may be required in order to test how well each
meets the performance specifications. In Step 7, the final design is tested and
evaluated, and if necessary, redesigned and retested (Step 8). Many interactions
through the engineering design process may be required before a design is found that
meets the need or opportunity and all specifications and satisfies all constraints. It
should be noted that the engineering design process is part of the broader product
development cycle that begins with the perception of a market opportunity and ends
with the production, sale, and delivery of a product.

Even though in some business fields, managers insist on hiring creative


employees, most often than not, the focus is more on how said employees can do
their job according to what is required of them. This is a form of conformity, as
opposed to the freedom that comes with creativity. Still, more recently, there is a
tendency towards allowing employees to exercise their creativity more, which means
that more and more people are realizing that creativity is indeed extremely important.
Why is creativity important, you ask? Well, this is precisely what we’re going to
answer in today’s guide, by providing you with the opinions of 4 experts in the field.

Why Is Creativity Important? 4 Expert Views

1. It Meets the Demands of the New Century


Sir Ken Robinson, one of the most famous experts on creativity, believes that
it’s quite obvious that creativity becomes increasingly important as this century
unfolds. If in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the business world was
largely based on economy and industry, in this century, we witness the
development of more and more businesses that rely on creativity and on the
belief that people are capable of achieving all sorts of different things.
Consequently, Robinson’s belief is that education shouldn’t keep
underestimating people’s ability to be creative. After all, creativity is one of the
main things that make businesses evolve nowadays.

2. It Raises Living Standards


The idea that creativity doesn’t do much to help economy, and thus raise
living standards is entirely erroneous. The main mistake people make when
under-estimating creativity is not acknowledging the fact that creativity puts
Contact:
Ronelito San Jose [email protected]
ME Orientation

in motion a whole process. Creativity expert Richard Florida believes that by


using their creativity, people come up with new and interesting ideas.
Moreover, these ideas are what determine them to become more productive.
When people increase their productivity, they contribute to the world’s
economy, thus also improving living standards.

3. It Creates the New Generation of Leaders


John M. Eger, executive director of the International Center for
Communications found at San Diego State University, and writer on the topic of
creativity, speaks of a knowledge economy that characterizes today’s society.
In his opinion, people are starting to understand that creativity is vital for any
city. As a result, education should also be based on encouraging artistic
freedom. This is what, according to Eger, will create the new generation of
leaders. One of the consequences of this shift will be that people will stop
looking at art, culture, music, and so on as being unessential things. Instead,
they’ll acknowledge their importance and relevance in today’s society.

4. It Creates New Life Forms


Finally, James J. Duderstadt, who is a Professor of Science and Engineering
and President Emeritus at the University of Michigan, underlines the idea that
creativity is what helps human beings create new life forms. He mentions that
people are consistently expanding their tools of creation. This leads to genetic
engineering and molecular biology creating intelligent life forms. The process is
easily noticeable if we look at the developments in the fields of virtual reality
and artificial intelligence.

End of this topic-

Activities
As you do the following activities, pay attention to the skills that can help
you study and learn more about the lesson. God bless you!

Here’s what you should do!

1. Among the engineering design process steps, select 3 steps you think is the
important. Justify your answer.

Contact:
Ronelito San Jose [email protected]
ME Orientation

Post-test
Copy the given questions and give your handwritten answer on a piece of
paper, take a picture and send it to your instructors’ FB messenger.

Answer the following questions and give a brief explanation for each of your answer:
1. Why is creativity important in the design process?
2. What role does design play in engineering?
3. What are things should the design engineer take into account at the
preliminary design?

References:

 https://www.teachengineering.org/design/designprocess
 http://growthfreaks.com/why-is-creativity-important/
 Design Council. Double Diamond Design Process. Available from:
http://www.designcouncil.org.uk/webdav/

Contact:
Ronelito San Jose [email protected]

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