Engineering Design Methods: Strategies for Product Design

A revised text that presents specific design methods within an overall strategy from concept to detail design  The fifth edition of Engineering Design Methods is an improved and updated version of this very successful, classic text on engineering product design. It provides an overview of design activities and processes, detailed descriptions and examples of how to use key design methods, and outlines design project strategies and management techniques. Written by a noted expert on the topic, the new edition contains an enriched variety of examples and case studies, and up to date material on design thinking and the development of design expertise.   This new edition opens with a compelling original case study of a revolutionary new city-car design by ex-Formula One designer Gordon Murray. The study illustrates the complete development of a novel design and brings to life the process of design, from concept through to prototype. The core of the book presents detailed instructions and examples for using design methods throughout the design process, ranging from identifying new product opportunities, through establishing functions and setting requirements, to generating, evaluating and improving alternative designs. This important book:  Offers a revised and updated edition of an established, successful text on understanding the design process and using design methods   Includes new material on design thinking and design ability and new examples of the use of design methods  Presents clear, detailed and illustrated presentations of eight key design methods in engineering product design   Written for undergraduates and postgraduates across all fields of engineering and product design, the fifth edition of Engineering Design Methods offers an updated, substantial, and reliable text on product design and innovation. 

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgements Introduction Part One: Design Fundamentals 1The Activity of Design What Designers Say What Designers Do Case Study 2The Nature of Design Design Problems Problem Structures How Designers Problem Solve 3The Design Process Descriptive Models Prescriptive Models Integrative Models Part Two: Design Practice 4New Design Procedures Systematic Procedures Design Methods Creative Methods Rational Methods 5Identifying Opportunities The User Scenarios Method 6Clarifying Objectives The Objectives Tree Method 7Establishing Functions The Function Analysis Method 8Setting Requirements The Performance Specification Method 9Determining Characteristics The Quality Function Deployment Method 10Generating Alternatives The Morphological Chart Method 11Evaluating Alternatives The Weighted Objectives Method 12Improving Details The Value Engineering Method 13Design Strategies What is a Design Strategy? Strategy Frameworks Strategy Control Learning to Design Developing Expertise Part Three: Design Thinking 14Design and Innovation Product Planning Systems design References and Sources Index

About the Author :
Nigel Cross is Emeritus Professor of Design Studies at The Open University, UK, where he pioneered distance learning in design. He was also Professor of Design Methodology at Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands. He has an international reputation in design education and research in design methodology, design thinking, design expertise and the nature of design ability.