In the engineering and design industry, numerous terms are used to describe the various roles people play as they collaborate towards a common goal. In order to complete a large goal, multiple disciplines and expertise are required for ensuring every specific component is properly designed for and functioning seamlessly with its surrounding components. Zeroing in on one of any of these disciplines, you can come to find that the professionals who are involved with conceptualizing these solutions are split into two separate roles, designers and engineers.
Outside the industry, the terms “designer” and “engineer” are often used interchangeably to describe the same role. Although both are involved in creating solutions to problems, they are distinct from each other and have different responsibilities. To put very simply, engineers dive deep into the functionality of a solution, where as Designers, while requiring to contribute to understanding the functionality as well, is involved with collaboration of the individual pieces and understanding how to present the information into an easily legible format.
To gain a better understanding on the differences, lets dive into some examples in how engineers and designer differ, as well as where they have similarities.
1) Comparison between Broad and Detailed Aspects.
In a team of engineers and designers, each member’s responsibilities will not only vary but also cover different aspects of the project. Engineers are tasked with calculating and developing a comprehensive solution that integrates all elements to ensure the overall success of the project. Conversely, designers focus on each element individually to ensure it functions effectively in its specific context, often suggesting targeted improvements or solutions.
For instance, in a bridge design project, the engineer would be responsible for understanding and addressing the fundamental requirements of the bridge. This includes conceptualizing the entire structure, performing calculations for lengths, connections, and other critical factors to ensure the bridge’s stability. On the other hand, the designer’s role would involve assessing the practicality and constructability of the bridge design. They would evaluate whether the proposed design is feasible to build or if revisions are needed to address any construction challenges. Additionally, the designer would inspect surrounding facilities to ensure compatibility with the construction plan.
These examples illustrate some of the distinct tasks undertaken by engineers and designers. While their responsibilities may differ, there can be overlap, requiring collaboration between engineers and designers to achieve a successful outcome.
2) Ideation versus Presentation
Another way to categorize engineering projects is by two key processes: conceptual solution (ideation) and articulate communication (presentation). To clarify, engineering projects typically require deliverables such as project documentation, in the form of a writing, and engineering drawings to accompany it.
The conceptual solution, or ideation, focuses on outlining and describing what will be addressed and developed in the project. It involves identifying the problem, proposing a solution, and detailing how this solution will be implemented while considering existing variables. This explanation should be comprehensive enough for someone unfamiliar with the project to understand the essentials. It is the engineer’s role to clearly communicate this information, usually through a written report that walks through each aspect of the project in detail.
On the other hand, presenting the solution in a detailed and visual format falls to the designer. This is often done through engineering drawings, which can be likened to blueprints in their appearance. These drawings play a crucial role in communication, as they capture specific details that might be lost in a written description and can be understood across different languages. Think of them as the project’s ‘instruction manual.’
3) Requiring Calculations versus Requiring a Working Understanding
solution can be well-designed with just a basic understanding of how theories and concepts should fit together, but to fully realize it, calculating scenarios and proving that they work is a crucial requirement.
The responsibility of validating a design through calculations falls to the engineer. This process is not only essential for demonstrating that a design functions correctly but also offers benefits like economic efficiency, reduced errors, and ensuring safety for users. For example, consider a conveyor system designed to move products from one end to another. While a designer can develop a solution based on requirements, an engineer will calculate loads, analyze material interactions, and select the most suitable components for the job.
Designers, conversely, are the experts who can bring a project close to completion. Although they don’t need to perform detailed calculations, they must understand the underlying theories involved. This allows designers to focus on the intricate details of the project without being bogged down by calculations. After the designer creates a general design, engineers can then refine it with precise calculations and adjustments. This collaboration, though it can vary depending on the team and discipline, typically sees engineers taking on the heavier calculation tasks.
4) Differences in Liability
While we’ve covered the responsibilities in a project, it’s also crucial to address liabilities, which differ significantly between engineers and designers.
Engineers bear a greater share of liability in any project. Upon completing a project, the lead engineer must stamp each drawing with their name, title, and license number. This process ensures the quality and safety of the work. If issues arise later due to engineering negligence, the engineer could face fines or even have their license suspended.
Designers also have some liability, though it is less extensive than that of engineers. Designers are required to initial each drawing, indicating their contribution. While the primary responsibility for failures typically falls on the engineer, project documentation can help trace the issue. If it’s determined that the designer’s work contributed to the failure, they could also be held accountable.
5) Using Software
When using software to assist with design, there’s no single tool that meets everyone’s needs perfectly. Since designers and engineers have different tasks, a variety of software tools are needed to get the job done.
Engineers often use specialized software that allows them to easily generate calculated data specific to their designs. Typically, this software enables engineers to create a simplified model of their design, from which they can extract a wealth of detailed information. For example, structural engineers commonly use a tool called STAAD. This software allows users to input basic geometry and loads, then produces a comprehensive report detailing how each element interacts, including forces and moments.
In contrast, designers don’t usually work with calculated data to the same extent. Their software allows for specific 3D components to be created as detailed as necessary, and will also use the software to create most engineering drawings. For instance, designers frequently use AutoCAD, which is a versatile tool for creating detailed 3D models and engineering drawings. While AutoCAD is excellent for visualizing designs and generating detailed drawings, it doesn’t provide the same kind of calculated capabilities as engineering software. Any models generated in the basic version of AutoCAD lacks complicated attributes, meaning that these models cannot provide calculated information the way engineering software can.
Summary
Both Designers and Engineers play vital roles when it comes to working on projects, but requires differing skillsets from each. With the variance between the two roles brings a diverse mindset and a larger set of joint knowledge to draw from. The five differences mentioned in this article is just a few examples in the discussion of who takes on certain responsibilities, but we hope that this sheds some light for anyone who may have been unsure of the differences before.