Introduction
Engineering is the use of science to solve day to day problems as well as to make work easier. On the other hand, engineering design is the sequential or step by step process through which engineers follow to come up with the ultimate solution to a problem. Design mainly involves coming up with a new or an improved product, for example, a machine or a computer program that is useful in accomplishing a certain task. In the current world, engineering design is mainly carried out through computer aided software. In this article, we will discuss the impact and significance of engineering design.
Significance of engineering design
Engineering design has a huge significance in the welfare of the society and the world at large. However, this design process begins by shaping the designer himself. Design opens one’s mind to the world through asking questions on how various stuff works (Karsnitz, 2012). For one to be a designer, he or she has to look deeper into the outside look of any structure or functionality. This way, one begins to appreciate design from a positive perspective. Appreciating engineering design, in turn, leads to a higher rate of understanding the engineering taught in class through taking note of the smallest details.
Besides opening one’s mind, engineering design leads to precision and perfection in any project. This is mainly because quality engineering design solves the majority of the unprecedented mishaps in projects by eliminating unwanted dimensions and spectator functionalities. This way, a project that is well designed ends up being more efficient ant thus more attractive to the society and the world as a whole (Dym, 1994).
Furthermore, engineering design fosters the virtue of patience and the desire for quality outcomes. Engineering design is not something that can be achieved within a day; rather it is a skill that grows gradually with time and practice. Furthermore, the general design of any project has to be carefully thought of and calculated consulted before being chosen and applied. Therefore, before one becomes a pro in design, they tend to have developed a passion for perfection and quality (Dym, 1994).
Design determines the total cost of a product. This is because several functionalities e.g. power consumption and maintenance depend heavily on the overall design of the project. According to statistics, 70% of a product's total cost is determined by its design (Munroe, 1995). Clearly, design directly influences the whole world through the price of commodities. It determines the profit made by the manufacturer and the retailers, as well as the price at which the consumer acquires the commodity for.
Engineering design determines the overall look of a product as well as the security and stability. This determines whether the product is attractive or not. In other words, design determines what looks good and what does not. For example, through design, one can see a great difference between a gated community in the suburbs and a ghetto setting. Therefore, design can solve the housing problems in the world by insisting on stability in the modern structures. This can also avert catastrophes like earthquakes and floods by eliminating makeshift structures that do not follow the laws of engineering design (Childs, 2013).
It is engineering design that determines the fastest car in the world, the tallest building, the most eco-friendly product, the biggest aeroplane in the world and so much more (Childs, 2013). Engineering design is thus the key to making a product stand out among the rest. As per the products mentioned earlier, it is quite evident that the destiny of almost everything in the world is shaped and determined by engineering design. Thus, its essence should not be undermined; rather it must be emphasized and promoted.
References:
Munroe, S., ``Is Your Design a Life Sentence?'' Machine Design, 26th January 1995, pp. 156
Childs, P. (2013). “Mechanical Design Engineering Handbook”. Oxford, Elsevier
Karsnitz, J. (2012). “Engineering Design: An Introduction”. Delmar: Cengage Learning
Dym, C. (1994). “Engineering Design: A Synthesis of Views”. Melbourne, Cambridge University Press.
