I recall a time when someone had their design rejected because they failed to provide the necessary calculations to demonstrate that it would work. Their defense was, “My experience tells me this works.” The problem with that statement is that it completely misses the core responsibility of engineers and designers: to support their decisions with … Read more
Designing something that makes a meaningful impact in its field—and stays relevant long after its initial application—is always a challenge. Depending on how fast the industry evolves, some forward-thinking ideas can push things ahead, while others might be phased out shortly after they appear. Predicting what technologies will stand the test of time is difficult, … Read more
The range of drafting software available to designers is vast, with each program offering unique features that make it better suited for certain uses over others. Still, despite the variety, most companies tend to stick with an Autodesk subscription—most commonly, AutoCAD. As a result, many designers have become at least somewhat familiar with AutoCAD—if not … Read more
Trying to come up with novel ideas in a professional setting is like trying to invent a new plotline for The Simpsons—almost everything feels like it’s been done before. You’re competing with a flood of existing thoughts and concepts, and just when you think you’ve struck the perfect balance of originality, usefulness, and practicality, you … Read more
Lacking accessibility is like trying to get into your car, only to find someone has parked so close you can’t open the door. It’s a crucial element that often goes unnoticed—until it’s missing. While all designers should prioritize accessibility, it’s especially important for structural designers, who are typically responsible for ensuring people can reach and … Read more
Depending on who you ask, working with clients can range from a series of essential interactions to get the job done, to something more akin to dealing with someone who has the basic understanding and emotional intelligence of a sugar-fueled toddler. While the worse of the two scenarios is definitely the exception rather than the … Read more
If you’ve never encountered the phrase ‘design like a farmer,’ it refers to the idea of overdesigning something far beyond what’s necessary for its intended purpose. To clarify, this concept is similar to the ‘overdesigning’ often seen in engineering. When an engineer designs a part or component, they analyze its intended function and the conditions … Read more
Of the many skills a designer must maintain proficiency in, drafting efficiency is considered a highly valuable asset. This is crucial because when a designer becomes more efficient in drafting, they can dedicate more of their effort towards testing, iterating, and conceptualizing, rather than focusing on figuring out how their tools work. One of the … Read more
Engineering offers a wide range of fields for specialization, along with numerous areas of discovery that can spark new interests for those eager to dive into fresh challenges. As I’ve developed a newfound interest in mechanisms and motion structures, I dove straight into a textbook focused on the mathematics and schematics of the topic. However, … Read more
To become proficient in design, one must practice and incorporate various techniques into their workflow. While some of these techniques may be more apparent, others may be less obvious, even though they are frequently used. One of these regularly used but overlooked practices is geometry, which is defined as ‘the branch of mathematics concerned with … Read more