Design is the description or plans or drawings needed to produce an object or solve a problem. It may include the shape, function, and design details. Design is also used to describe the act of creating a design. Designs generally require creativity as well as an understanding of what is being designed.
Engineering design is an iterative process in which creative solutions are developed to meet a design challenge. Engineering methods are used to evaluate the idea and refine the solution. This stage of the design process moves quickly.
Once the design details have been developed, analyses performed, and performance predicted, it is time to build a physical prototype and test the design. This process is often called design verification testing. This stage of the design process is slower and more costly than the first. Ideally, if all requirements of the design were specified beforehand and the design and analyses were conducted properly, the product should function as predicted.
However, there are multiple ways to perform design work, and the best approach will depend on several factors. If the problem is technically challenging, mock-ups and prototypes to evaluate concepts or subsystems are valuable to evaluate potential design solutions. Some problems are difficult to solve with a single design iteration. In this case, it is beneficial to quickly complete an initial iteration, learn from its performance capabilities and deficiencies, and follow with another iteration.
In any case, designs are best when many people are involved to provide different viewpoints. The best teams consist of people with different skill sets, educational backgrounds, and work experiences. Diversity is essential in creating a strong team.
