This module will enable you to work individually and collaboratively as part of a design team. You will be introduced to a range of focussed practical activities to develop your creative ability to analyse a variety briefs and develop innovative design solutions and prototypes employing a range of materials and technology. It’s aim is to deliver the experiences and knowledge required to enable a skilled, science based engineer to be a practicing and innovative engineering designer. The essential tools an engineering designer requires to communicate ideas and concepts in 2D & 3D.

A series of individual and group working opportunities to include applied introductions to a range of materials, processes and technology. A hands-on approach will support innovation to introduce and support the development of designs and offer guidance in matters of the design process. Regular meetings will also be occasions to discuss innovation and provide regular formative feedback.

Gadd K. (2011) TRIZ for Engineers: Enabling Inventive Problem Solving. Wiley-Blackwell PUB.

Graves C. Graves A (2016) The Big Book of Makerspace Projects: Inspiring Makers to Experiment, Create, and Learn. McGraw-Hill Education TAB.

Martinez S (2013) Invent To Learn: Making, Tinkering, and Engineering in the Classroom – Constructing Modern Knowledge Press.

Senese M. (2017) Make: Volume 55. O'Reilly Publishers. M. (2017) Make: Volume 55. O'Reilly Publishers.

Wilkinson K. Petrich M. (2014) The Art of Tinkering: Meet 150 Makers Working at the Intersection of Art, Science & Technology. Weldon Owen, Inc.


Additional Texts:
Bernier S, Luyt B & Reinhard T. (2015) Make: Design for 3D Printing: Scanning, Creating, Editing, Remixing, and Making in Three Dimensions. Maker Media, Inc.

Boxall J. (2013) Arduino Workshop: A Hands-On Introduction with 65 Projects. No Starch Press.

Hackett C. (2014) The Big Book of Maker Skills (Popular Science): Tools & Techniques for Building Great Tech Projects. Weldon Owen, Inc.

Halfacree G. (2017) The Official BBC micro:bit User Guide Paperback. John Wiley & Sons PUB. John Wiley & Sons PUB.

Monk S. (2016) Programming Arduino: Getting Started with Sketches. McGraw-Hill Education.

Ragan S, Nuwer R (2016) The Inventors Manual: Transform Your Idea into a Top-Selling Product. Weldon Owen Pub.

Savransky S. (2000) Engineering of Creativity: Introduction to TRIZ Methodology of Inventive Problem Solving. CRC Press.

Upton E, Halfacre G (2016) Raspberry Pi User Guide. John Wiley & Sons Pub. John Wiley & Sons Pub.

The module tutor will direct the student to current journals and online resources as appropriate

Fabrication workshop/Lab, including Additive manufacturing equipment and laser cutter
Fabrication materials, for practical activities, control boards, servos and associated peripherals
Arduino, or similar for projects.
Flat teaching classroom
Projection equipment
Engineering Labs Electronic/Mechanical

1. Develop visual communication skills to present ideas in 2 and 3 dimensions to convey ideas to others (AHEP 3: D6, G1)

2. Be able to carry out an investigation and concept development, demonstrate and professionally present a problem-based solutions (AHEP 3: D4i, D6, P1i, P2i, G1, G3i)

3. Find, evaluate, synthesise and use information from a variety of sources to carry out engineering design projects, applying innovative and creative problem-solving methods.(AHEP 3: SM1i, D4i, EL2, EL6i, P1i, P2i, P3i, G1, G3i)

4. Be able to work within different roles of an engineering design team and demonstrate the ability to exercise initiative and personal responsibility as a team member or leader (AHEP 3: P1i, P11i, G1, G3i, G4i)

This module will include a series of problem-based exercises that will be documented and presented in a portfolio of evidence.

Individual: (50%) A documentation of processes and outcomes including research and technical design aspects. Assessing learning outcomes 1, 2 and 3. Design work may be offset against word count of 3000. Meeting AHEP 3 Outcomes SM1i, D4i, D6, EL2, EL6i, P1i, P2i, P3i, G1, G3i.

Group: (50%) Activities will be assessed though evidenced presentations. Assessing learning outcomes 2 and 4. Design work may be offset against word count of 3000. Meeting AHEP 3 Outcomes D4i, D6, P1i, P2i, P11i, G1, G3i, G4i.

Formative guidance and feedback will be provided in tutorial sessions within the class