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Experts Tell Us the Best Books On Engineering Design

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This article showcases our top picks for Books On Engineering Design. We reached out to industry leaders and experts who have contributed the suggestions within this article (they have been credited for their contributions below).

We are keen to hear your feedback on all of our content and our comment section is a moderated space to express your thoughts and feelings related (or not) to this article This list is in no particular order.

JCB: Celebrating 75 Years of Engineering Innovation by Martin Port

This product was recommended by Francis Charles from FCSpares Ltd.

JCB has expanded the engineering design landscape for nearly a century. This book provides information on the origins of JCB, their infamous backhoe loader design, and scale models of popular JCB machines which are fascinating to analyse and study.


100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People by Susan Weinschenk

This product was recommended by Akshay Vikhe from OnlineCourseing

This book acts as a manual for comprehending client thought processes and improving interpersonal interactions. While many design engineers spend a lot of time working with computers and other technology, it’s also crucial to learn how to effectively interact with and better understand the people you work with.


The Wrench by Primo Levi

This product was recommended by Colm Docherty from Edge45

This is a little different from the other books in the list in that it’s a work of fiction, but bear with me. Communicating engineering concepts to a layperson is difficult, but a capable engineer needs to be able to do it. Especially as the owner of a digital marketing agency named after an engineering concept! This book by Primo Levi is the first time I’ve ever encountered truly compelling stories about engineering in a novel: from the complexity of erecting cranes to the challenges in diagnosing, let alone fixing, issues arising from flawed engineering – this book has it all. I highly recommend it to engineers and laypeople alike.


Artful Design by Ge Wang

This product was recommended by David Reid from VEM Tooling

To what extent can we define design? Beyond its function as pharaonic tombs, the Great Pyramids of Giza remain a mystery to historians. Wang guides readers on an exciting journey through the intersections of design, technology, and music, revealing the meaning behind the design and its practical application. Not every layout prioritizes functionality. A few of them make you feel things and make you ponder. This book delves into the philosophical underpinnings of design and is well worth your attention.


Rocket Surgery Made Easy by Steve Krug

This product was recommended by David Reid from VEM Tooling

A Guide to Making Rocket Surgery Easy New product development is lengthy. Before a product is available for purchase, design engineers must complete several steps. Following the advice in this book, you can spot problems with your goods’ usability before they become major headaches for your company. This book will show you how to test designs at any stage, identify the most pressing problems, and implement solutions.


Hooked by Nir Eyal

This product was recommended by Irene Graham from Spylix

This is the book for you if you want to understand how to design items that sell well enough to warrant repeat purchases. It outlines a four-step approach for design engineers to get insight into consumer behavior and capitalize on it in their work. Learn how to make things that not only sell well but also keep customers coming back for more with the help of this book’s helpful advice and clear, step-by-step instructions.


Universal Methods of Design by Bella Martin

This product was recommended by Irene Graham from Spylix

If you’re looking for a single resource that will teach you all you need to know about design, then look no further than Universal Methods of Design. This book is ideal for design engineers of all experience levels, including students, as it highlights more than a hundred research and methodology methodologies. Each method is spread out over four pages. The method description is presented on the left side of the page, with examples and visuals on the right, making for an easy-to-read and digestible whole. It also instructs readers on design preparation, implementation, and tracking.


Site Analysis by James A. LaGro Jr.

This product was recommended by Irene Graham from Spylix

Design engineers can turn to this helpful book for guidance when facing challenging projects. Instructions for doing a thorough site evaluation are laid out in great detail. This comprehensive guide covers everything from brainstorming ideas to finalizing plans and choosing a location. There are over 140 images provided for your ease of use, and it also provides helpful advice for interacting with regulatory bodies, customers, and other interested parties.


Engineering Design Methods by Nigel Cross

This product was recommended by John Burton from Windows Republic

Strategies for Product Design is a comprehensive guide that covers the basics of product design. The book provides readers with an understanding of the different methods used in product design, as well as tips and tricks on how to create successful products.


Coasters 101 by Nick Weisenberger

This product was recommended by Tali Ditye from Mommyhood101

Coasters 101: An Engineer’s Guide to Roller Coaster Design is an essential guide for anyone who wants to understand the physics and engineering behind roller coasters. This book provides a detailed, step-by-step explanation of how roller coasters work, from the basic principles of motion to the more advanced concepts of forces and energy. It also includes a section on coaster design, which covers everything from track layout to safety considerations. Whether you’re a budding engineer or just a fan of roller coasters, this book will give you a new appreciation for the Thrill Rides!


The LEGO® Engineer by Jeff Friesen

This product was recommended by Ryan Brown from Art of Lock Picking

The LEGO® Engineer is a special set of LEGOs designed to teach the basics of engineering. The set includes a variety of different pieces that can be used to build bridges, houses, towers, and more. The instructions booklet contains step-by-step directions for building various structures, as well as information on how each piece works.


Artful Design by Ge Wang

This product was recommended by Henffrey M. Muthama from LedAsk

This book is a manifesto for the artistically creative use of technology, culminating in the bold proposal that technology is primarily a creative and cultural phenomenon. It is a manifesto that advocates for an artful and aesthetically rich view of technology. This view embraces technology as a creative activity of the human mind, and suggests that technological artifacts should be designed in a manner that honors the creative principles of the human mind.


Isometric Notebook by Ken Malone

This product was recommended by Derrick Hathaway from VEM Medical

The original cover was hammered with gold accents, A practical notebook made for the Design of many sorts of three-dimensional Design, such as architecture, landscape architecture, or sculpture, and Design is our love.


Making Wooden Gear Clocks by Editors of Scroll Saw Woodworking &‎ Crafts

This product was recommended by Derrick Hathaway from VEM Medical

Make clever wooden gear clocks that move and maintain time! This six scroll saw projects allow you to enjoy the satisfaction of creating a small wooden machine with your own two hands. A full-size scroll saw template is supplied, as well as comprehensive, step-by-step instructions suitable for skill levels ranging from beginner to advanced.


Control System Design by Bernard Friedland

This product was recommended by Derrick Hathaway from VEM Medical

Feedback control, state-space description of dynamic systems and dynamics of linear systems, frequency-domain analysis, controllability and observability, and directing the dynamic response are among the topics covered. Other topics include linear observers, separation principle compensator design, linear, quadratic optimal control, random processes, and Kalman filters.


The Design of Everyday Things by Donald A. Norman

This product was recommended by Zac VanHeyningen from Peak Offer

This book is considered a classic in the field of human-centered design, and offers a clear and compelling look at how good design can make products and interfaces more user-friendly, while poor design can create confusion and frustration.


Thinking in Systems: A Primer by Donella Meadows

This product was recommended by Zac VanHeyningen from Peak Offer

This book provides a introduction to systems thinking, a way of understanding the complex interactions and feedback loops that shape the behavior of systems. It helps the reader understand how small changes in the parts of a system can produce large changes in the behavior of the whole system.


The Innovator’s Dilemma by Clayton Christensen

This product was recommended by Zac VanHeyningen from Peak Offer

This book is a must-read for anyone interested in innovation and technology strategy. It introduces the concept of disruptive innovation, which occurs when a new entrant to a market creates a product that initially doesn’t meet the needs of the established customers but improves and eventually displaces established competitors over time.


Engineering Design by George Dieter

This product was recommended by Nely Mihaylova from Scooter Guide

This book is considered a classic in the field of engineering design, and it provides an introduction to the entire design process, from conceptualization to development and testing. It covers topics such as creativity and innovation, design for manufacturability, and design for the environment.


Design for Electrical and Computer Engineers by Ralph Ford and Chris Coulston

This product was recommended by Daniel Foley from Daniel Foley SEO

This book is geared towards students and professionals in the fields of electrical and computer engineering and covers the basics of engineering design and problem-solving. It covers topics such as circuit design, embedded systems, and design for testing.


Design Thinking for Strategic Innovation by Idris Mootee

This product was recommended by Alice Hall from Rowen Homes

This book is targeted toward business and management professionals and covers the process of design thinking and its application to strategy and innovation. It covers the process of design thinking, design leadership, and design-driven innovation.


Design of Machinery by Robert Norton

This product was recommended by Alex Constantinou from The Fitness Circle

This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles of mechanical engineering design. It covers topics such as kinematics, dynamics, and control of machinery, and includes detailed explanations and examples of various types of mechanical systems.


Robot, Take the Wheel by Jason Torchinsky

This product was recommended by Erin Conti from Apollo Publishers

Dive into a witty, timely, and thought-provoking discussion of the future of autonomous cars in Robot, Take the Wheel: The Road to Autonomous Cars and the Lost Art of Driving with famed automotive expert Jason Torchinsky, cofounder of The Autopian, former senior editor at Jalopnik, producer of Jay Leno’s Garage, and star of the YouTube sensation Jason Drives. Torchinsky breaks down the varying aspects of autonomous cars-from practical to ethical-and the varying levels of autonomous technology-from complete human control to all robot, all the time-as well as the history of various attempts at autonomous vehicles (da Vinci’s cart in 1478, the railroads of the 1830s and ’40s, the Darpa Grand Challenge in 2004). Which parts of our bodies and what sophisticated level of intelligence are required to drive? What equipment is necessary to translate this human experience to a mechanical one, including ultrasonic sensors, cameras, radar, lidar, GPS, and more? Torchinsky shares his take on the semiautonomous system of driving and how society will look with robotic cars integrated into our daily lives, pulling together a vision from pop culture throughout the ages and modern engineering. Ultimately, Torchinsky confesses that there is so much we don’t know, such as how complex these cars’ emotional behaviors will be or what future ethical standards will be. Full of questions worth asking, Robot, Take the Wheel is the best book on the subject of autonomous cars and leads the conversation around our moral responsibility toward this future-the stuff of science fiction turned reality.


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Photo by ThisisEngineering RAEng on Unsplash

Experts Tell Us the Best Books On Engineering

Photo by ThisisEngineering RAEng on Unsplash

Experts Tell Us the Best Books On Engineering Drawing