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.
Groupthink in Design Thinking
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.
Seeds of Failure
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.
Christmas Gift Ideas for Design Engineers
Trying to find that perfect gift for the engineer or designer in your life? Give these ideas a try…
Self-Imposed Deadlines
One secret to designing a better life: Self-imposed deadlines.
3 Things CAD Beginners Should Do
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.
How to Ideate as a Team
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."
Making Products That Don’t Suck
Pixar has had 14 straight number one releases. How do they do it? How do they go ‘from suck to not-suck’?
The First Face of Innovation: The Anthropologist
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.
Two Ideas a Day
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?”
Ambiguity and Design Freedom
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.
Letters of Recommendation
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.
A Baseball Conspiracy?
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.
The Pastry Chef Who Teaches Engineers
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.
The Magic Box of Pins (and its effect on my view of design)
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.
So You Think You Want to 3D Print Your Next Design?
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!
Designing an American Ninja Warrior Obstacle with Vague Requirements
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.
Inspiring Design Podcasts
A list of some of our favorite podcast, why we love them and suggestions on what to start listening to.
TRIZ
Explore TRIZ, an inventive way of problem solving invented by Genrich Altshuller.
The Hype Cycle
The Hype Cycle is a high-level model of the trajectory many technologies experience before full adoption by a group, an organization, or society. It hasn't been demonstrated to exist scientifically but it can be useful as an abstract tool to discuss the perceived progress of technology.