How do you apply engineering principles to your automotive design concepts?

1 The design process

The design process is the systematic and creative approach that you use to transform your ideas into tangible and testable outcomes. It involves defining the problem, researching the context, generating and evaluating alternatives, selecting and refining a solution, and communicating and presenting your results. Engineering principles are embedded in every stage of the design process, as they help you to define the criteria, constraints, and specifications of your problem, and to analyze and optimize your solution.

2 The engineering design loop

The engineering design loop is a cyclical and iterative model that you can use to guide your design process. It consists of four main steps: identify, explore, create, and evaluate. In each step, you apply engineering principles to different aspects of your design concept, such as functionality, aesthetics, ergonomics, materials, structure, mechanics, aerodynamics, electronics, and environmental impact. The engineering design loop allows you to test and improve your concept through feedback and iteration, until you reach a satisfactory level of performance and quality.

3 The engineering analysis tools

The engineering analysis tools are the methods and techniques that you use to perform calculations, simulations, and experiments on your design concept. They help you to quantify and verify the effects of engineering principles on your concept, and to identify and solve any issues or errors that may arise. Some of the common engineering analysis tools that you can use are: mathematical models, computer-aided design (CAD) software, finite element analysis (FEA) software, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software, prototyping, wind tunnel testing, and crash testing.

4 The engineering communication skills

The engineering communication skills are the abilities that you use to document, explain, and present your design concept to different audiences, such as clients, peers, managers, and users. They help you to convey the rationale, benefits, and limitations of your concept, and to demonstrate how you applied engineering principles to your design process. Some of the essential engineering communication skills that you need to develop are: technical writing, sketching, drawing, modeling, rendering, animation, and oral presentation.

5 The engineering ethics and standards

The engineering ethics and standards are the principles and rules that you follow to ensure that your design concept is ethical, legal, safe, and responsible. They help you to respect the rights, interests, and welfare of all the stakeholders involved in your design project, and to minimize the negative impacts of your concept on the environment and society. Some of the sources of engineering ethics and standards that you need to consult are: codes of conduct, regulations, laws, policies, guidelines, and best practices.

By applying engineering principles to your design concepts, you can create automotive solutions that are not only attractive and original, but also functional and feasible. Engineering principles help you to balance the artistic and technical aspects of your design, and to achieve the optimal combination of form and function. They also help you to improve your design skills, knowledge, and confidence, and to prepare you for the challenges and opportunities of the automotive industry.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?