Engineering Design Methods

This textbook has been developed for students of engineering design, industrial design and industrial engineering. The contents emphasize the design of products that have an engineering content, although most of the principles and approaches are also relevant to the design of other products and systems. The first part of the book offers an overview of the nature of design activity, the design process and design methods in general. The chapters constitute a manual of design methods, presented in an independent learning format. The book concludes by outlining a strategic approach to the design process, which utilizes the most appropriate combination of creative and rational methods to suit the designer and the design project. The book has been designed to be used in conjunction with projects and exercises that require the analysis and clarification of design problems.