Engineering Design, Conceptual Design, and Design Theory: A Report

This paper discusses the results of a research project funded by the US National Science Foundation. It is divided into three parts: Part 1. A Review of the Formal Development of Engineering Design. The paper begins by tracing the formal (mathematical) development of engineering design. While there are roots of engineering design which go back at least to the 19th century, it is argued that the real roots of the activity we see today began in the work following World War II driven by the advent of the electronic computer. Parallels are drawn between the developments of formal theories of engineering design and the development of both mathematical programming and artificial intelligence. Part 2. Elements of Design Theory. If design theory is to involve more than just a clever play on works, it is necessary to be quite specific about the kinds of activities to be included in it. It is argued that ambiguity is central to any discussion of conceptual design as is the ongoing work in knowledge representation. At this point, there is a division of activities into a very theoretical branch concerned with how the mind works, formal theories of knowledge,… and a more practical branch (an engineering or even human factors branch) which is not specifically concerned with how people are creative but concerned with providing the best possible environment (computer workstation) for the designer. Part 3. Engineering Design versus Design in the Arts: Case Studies. It is finally argued that conceptual (creative) design in engineering is closely related to other creative design activities such as sculpture. The is done using interviews with a designer of tall buildings, a designer of long span bridges, and a sculptor whose work is rather geometric.