More About the Design Process

How do engineers solve problems?

two architects looking at a blueprint When engineers, architects, and designers create new technology, they don’t just grab materials and start building. Whether they are building a skyscraper, finding a way to reduce pollution, or designing a new computer game, they follow a series of steps to develop a design that works. This is one example of steps they might follow:

Identify ⇒ Brainstorm ⇒ Design ⇒ Test Ideas ⇒ Evaluate Tests ⇒ Build It

You can follow this process to solve all kinds of design problems!

Click through the slideshow to learn more about the steps of the design process.

Identify the Challenge

The first step in solving any problem is to be sure you understand what the problem is. Ask questions! Figure out what you are trying to create, and what your limitations are. You can also research how others have solved similar problems.

Brainstorm

Next, come up with possible solutions to the problem. List all of your ideas, even if they sound crazy. Work with other people. Hearing other people's thoughts can help everyone come up with even better ideas.

Design a Solution

Choose your best idea, and work out the details of how you can put it into action. Make a plan! Sketch what you will build, list materials you will need, and explain how it will work.

Test Ideas

Once you have a plan, gather your materials and begin to test prototypes or small versions of your ideas. Does the plan make sense? Will the design ideas work on your final project? Does it need to be revised? Test it out, and find out what works, what doesn't work, and what could be improved. You may decide to create a model at this stage or to test different materials. Revise your plan as many times as needed.

Evaluate Tests

How did your tests go? Did your design ideas work as well as you imagined? What worked well and what would you like to see improved?

Build It

When you are confident that your plan will work, build it!

Whether your final project has successful or unsuccessful results, other people who are trying to solve the same problem may be interested in what you learned. Communicate your results to others, so that they can build on your work.

Repeat

The design process doesn't always end after you've built one thing. You may find that your solution does not work perfectly, or that it creates new problems to be solved. You can start the process again, over and over in a cycle, as long as you are interested or there is a problem to be solved!