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The BYU Design Review
Design of the ISS
Mar 5

Mar 5 Design of the ISS

Ian Stubbs
Short Articles

Discover how the International Space Station uses modular design and global collaboration to unite nations and advance science for the benefit of humanity.

Sir Richard Taylor: A Knight and a Designer
Mar 5

Mar 5 Sir Richard Taylor: A Knight and a Designer

John Salmon
Short Articles

Explore how Sir Richard Taylor and Weta Workshop used "bigatures" and expert design to bring the iconic world of The Lord of the Rings to life on screen.

Shinkansen: The Bullet Train
Mar 5

Mar 5 Shinkansen: The Bullet Train

William Bowler
Short Articles

Discover how Japan’s Shinkansen revolutionized high-speed rail. Explore the engineering behind its safety, aerodynamics, and cultural impact, proving that innovative design can transform global commuting and infrastructure.

Thérèse Kirongozi: Robotic Traffic Controllers
Mar 5

Mar 5 Thérèse Kirongozi: Robotic Traffic Controllers

Dylan Conover
Short Articles

Discover how Thérèse Kirongozi’s humanoid traffic robots transform Kinshasa’s streets. Learn how community-centric engineering and cultural aesthetics create impactful, solar-powered solutions for global design challenges.

What Does It Take to Be an International Designer?
Mar 5

Mar 5 What Does It Take to Be an International Designer?

Emelia Sunday
Short Articles

Explore the essential principles of international design. Learn how to bridge cultural gaps through empathy, accessibility, and humility to create solutions that resonate globally.

Snowflake Design
Feb 25

Feb 25 Snowflake Design

Josh Engle
Inspiration & People

Wilson Bentley’s historic snowflake photography reveals nature’s intricate radial symmetry, teaching designers that determination and divine patterns create the most beautiful, unique innovations.

The Worst Airport Designs
Feb 23

Feb 23 The Worst Airport Designs

Dylan Conover
Lessons Learned

Explore how poor logistics and overcrowding undermine architectural beauty at CDG, NAIA, and EWR, proving that functional capability is the heart of good design.

The Return of the Atom
Feb 18

Feb 18 The Return of the Atom

Benjamin Terry
Technology

Explore with Dr. Benjamin Terry how ASML, Boston Dynamics, and SpaceX are ending decades of physical stagnation, ushering in a new era of engineering innovation across the universe of atoms.

Crosswalks: Improving Safety through Urban Design
Feb 16

Feb 16 Crosswalks: Improving Safety through Urban Design

Dalton White
Design Methods

Explore how innovative infrastructure like lane narrowing, pedestrian refuges, and high-visibility markings improve crosswalk safety. Learn how thoughtful design protects students and pedestrians in Provo and beyond.

How Dating Apps Are Designed
Feb 11

Feb 11 How Dating Apps Are Designed

Emelia Sunday
Technology

Dating apps use gamified design and reward-based psychology to keep users swiping. Explore how engineers shape modern intimacy through the "paradox of choice" and "liquid love."

The Best Airport Designs
Feb 9

Feb 9 The Best Airport Designs

Dylan Conover
Good Design

Discover how elite airport designs like Changi, Dubai, and Incheon transform travel through breathtaking architecture, luxury retail, and passenger-centric comfort strategies.

Project Hail Mary Spoiler-Free Review – The Perfect Novel for Engineers
Feb 4

Feb 4 Project Hail Mary Spoiler-Free Review – The Perfect Novel for Engineers

Blake Ipsen
Pop Culture

Discover why Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary is the ultimate sci-fi novel for engineers. This spoiler-free review explores its scientific accuracy, engineering puzzles, and cinematic pacing.

Groundhog Day and Lessons for Designers
Feb 3

Feb 3 Groundhog Day and Lessons for Designers

John Salmon
Pop Culture

Explore how Bill Murray’s Groundhog Day offers vital engineering lessons on iterative design, attention to detail, collaborative friction, and the importance of user-centric purpose.

Good Checklist Design from The Checklist Manifesto
Jan 28

Jan 28 Good Checklist Design from The Checklist Manifesto

Eli Smith
Good Design, Career & Professionalism

Discover how Atul Gawande’s The Checklist Manifesto revolutionizes complex tasks. Learn to design simple, effective checklists that reduce errors, improve team collaboration, and ensure precision in engineering and professional workflows.

The Design of Spires and Vertical Architecture
Jan 26

Jan 26 The Design of Spires and Vertical Architecture

Dylan Conover
Design Methods

Explore how vertical architecture, from steeples and minarets to pagodas and obelisks, blends engineering mastery with cultural symbolism to reach for the divine and beyond.

Why All Creative People Should Read Books
Jan 21

Jan 21 Why All Creative People Should Read Books

Chris Mattson
Inspiration & People

Discover how reading fuels innovation by expanding your mental toolkit. Learn why diverse books are essential for engineers, designers, and creative thinkers.

Book Review: Thinking, Fast and Slow
Jan 19

Jan 19 Book Review: Thinking, Fast and Slow

Dylan Conover
Inspiration & People

Explore how Daniel Kahneman’s Thinking, Fast and Slow optimizes engineering design by balancing intuitive expertise with methodical, conscious processes to reduce errors and improve objectivity.

Exploring “The Design of Everyday Things”
Jan 14

Jan 14 Exploring “The Design of Everyday Things”

Dalton White
Inspiration & People

Explore Don Norman’s classic The Design of Everyday Things with Dalton White, uncovering how human-centered design and seven core principles transform our interaction with the world.

Good Book Cover Design: Judging a Book by its Cover
Jan 12

Jan 12 Good Book Cover Design: Judging a Book by its Cover

William Bowler
Design Methods

While we are told not to judge books by their covers, material choice and genre-specific aesthetics are vital design elements. Explore how typography, imagery, and consistency drive marketability and consumer trust.

Design Principles in the Creation of Rock Climbing Routes
Jan 7

Jan 7 Design Principles in the Creation of Rock Climbing Routes

Ian Stubbs
Design Methods

Explore how the principles of engineering design and problem-solving shape the art of rock climbing routesetting, from indoor gym challenges to the technical complexities of outdoor bolting.

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