Stressed? Robert Juvinall’s book Stress, Strain, and Strength talks about how engineered parts hold up under pressure – but there are some interesting parallels that can put your stress in perspective and help you see that you can do hard things, but also that you can’t do all things.
There is a common phrase among design engineers: Design for X. And although you might not be involved in such a high-stakes design activity as Star Wars, yet, you can still embrace some of the principles it took to bring this universe to life.
It takes a little curiosity and engineering to make certain features standard on many everyday things. Take a look at how dimples became one on golf balls.
There are a lot of reasons to seek a unanimous decision. We do it all the time to be or feel united, avoid hard feelings, increase buy-in, etc. But when the stakes are higher, and the decisions are more complicated and multi-dimensional, the last thing you want is full consensus early on in the decision-making process.
To have any hope of success, the following three issues should be focused on simultaneously during and from the beginning of product development. Don’t leave them to chance and don’t ignore them.
Trying to find that perfect gift for the engineer or designer in your life? Give these ideas a try…
One secret to designing a better life: Self-imposed deadlines.
Sure, the world we live in has three dimensions that we work and live in on a regular basis. But as soon as you face that computer screen, the mind tends to snap straight to its default 2D mode.
Almost all product development is done in a team setting, owing largely to the strongly held belief that the collective thinking of a group outperforms that of “the lone genius."
Pixar has had 14 straight number one releases. How do they do it? How do they go ‘from suck to not-suck’?
A designer in the role of an Anthropologist will take the time to really learn about the customer and everything that impacts the customer. Learn about Tom Kelley’s first face of innovation - The Anthropologist.
Have you ever wondered, “when am I going to have a breakthrough idea?” If so, then maybe the better question to ask is “what am I doing to come up with that idea?”
Without ambiguity, there is no design freedom, no decision-making, and no design. Therefore, we should embrace ambiguity and consider it our job as designers to thrive in that environment.
Looking for some tips on letters of recommendations? Don’t leave it to chance. Here is a good place to start, make an impact and distinguish yourself from the crowd.
Baseball has always had a culture of data collection and analysis – called sabermetrics. It is amazing in and of itself that someone can throw a baseball over 100 mph, but what makes it even more interesting is that we know the exact day, pitch number, windspeed, ambient temperature that Jordan Hicks threw a ball 104.2 mph earlier this year.
She doesn’t know it, but Bon Appétit pastry chef Claire Saffitz has taught me and my students what I wish all engineers could know and practice. She’s taught us how to approach design problems with the right skill and attitude.
Could it be that the design of equipment, material processes, transportation, and supply chain logistics have become so advanced and sophisticated that unbelievable things are so common that we take them for granted? Check out how a box of pins can change your perspective on the supply chain and engineering.
Many innovations have come from Additive Manufacturing like Invisalign and companies like Shapeways. If you are ready to accept the challenge of designing for Additive Manufacturing, here are a few thoughts to keep in mind!
American Ninja Warrior is a TV game show testing athletes who excel in physical abilities. Each year they invite the public to compete in designing new obstacles. These are our thoughts on what would make a good design.
A list of some of our favorite podcast, why we love them and suggestions on what to start listening to.
