Design Process

Design Process

1. Identify the Problem

This step requires you, the engineer, to think carefully about what is needed and of equal importance, consideration of any constraints or rules that must be followed.

2. Brain storm

This step is crucial and really asks you to be as creative and ‘out-of-the-box’ as you can. At this stage you are encouraged to make a table, list sentences of possible solutions along with the possible materials and how each may be used to solve the problem.

3. Design

This step asks you to bring the brainstorming phase together. A drawing should be made and labeled with each part or material in the design. Thoroughly labeling the design will help in the building stage as well as note how much of each material is needed.

4. Build, Test, Evaluate, Redesign

This step is my favorite part of the process. Using the design sketch, make a 3D model of your solution. You may discover , after testing it, that the design materials or design function may not work as planned and will have to make changes where you need to. In this event, a new design sketch should be made to note the changes.

Remember that failure is not only a part of the engineering design process; it is a critical! Failure helps us to make our design even better!

5. Share your solution

Most importantly,  sharing our ideas, failures, and successes even the smallest solutions in the smallest of classrooms, only helps the next engineer/inventor to use your idea as a starting point to make the world a better place!