As my first year professor, Mr. Collins has said repetitively: Elegance and election have the same root word (elegare) meaning to choose; an elegant designer is thus, one who chooses an appropriate solution. For many problems in the world there exists an infinite amount of solutions; however a good engineer is one who after considering various stakeholders and their needs, proceeds to select the best design.
 
Thus, my current definition of engineering design is choosing a solution to a real problem within society that, after considering multiple viewpoints and stakeholders, meets several needs in a safe and cost efficient way. It begins with the identification of a problem that is encountered by a wide variety of people. The engineer must consider primarily those who are most disadvantaged by the problem and devise a solution in a way to provide the greatest net value to the greatest number of people. This solution should put the user in the center keeping in mind safety, economy, usability, and ingenuity in mind. Finally, the engineer must be able to take the idea and implement it using technical skills and knowledge in any given field.
 
As both an engineer and artist my strengths lie within aesthetics. I apply my passion in art history towards modern design and implement art into any work of engineering design. In addition, I enjoy coming up with playful and somewhat amusing ideas that can in part be implemented. I enjoy using the statement ‘I wish…’ when attempting to solve problems.
 
However, I would like to enhance my coding skills so that I can focus on other aspects of design rather than technical work. I spend many hours a week learning to code on my own and hope to work for Google in the future to help solve problems of the next generation.

 

 

 

 

Fady Andraws