Evaluating the Effectiveness of Design Processes in Mechanical Engineering Applications

For every technological innovation that improves the user experience, there is an example of one that diminishes it. Poor mechanical design is often to blame. There are many mechanical design processes, but some may lack an important component– an empathetic response to the user’s needs and wants. Empathy is an aspect of human interaction that is vital in communication. However, integrating empathy into mechanical design can promote communication of desires. Human-Centered Design approaches, such as Design Thinking, in addition to nonlinear iterations, are more effective in mechanical design applications, which positively impact the societal value of technological innovations. However, it is important to also consider the effectiveness of these methodologies in other STEM industries. This project aims to target the inconsistencies associated with poor mechanical design through the analysis of the Engineering Design Process, Design Thinking, and other methodologies in projects at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory.