Teaching Computer Aided Product Design With Aesthetic Considerations

Abstract

This paper presents a study on how to utilize the computer based 3-dimensional parametric solid modeling software to integrate aesthetics into the lectures of product design related courses of a mechanical engineering curriculum to improve teaching and learning. The study indicates that when aesthetics were properly introduced into the classrooms of product design related courses; it created an environment that stimulated students’ imagination and creativity therefore enhancing their learning experience. When teaching product design courses, instruction tends to be focused on the underlying engineering requirements related to the product. Little is taught in the classroom about the aesthetic aspects of the product. As a result, the products created from the student’s design projects are mostly functional but not necessarily visually appealing. To address this issue, in teaching design-related courses, students were told to play the roles of both designers and consumers. After learning the basics of aesthetics, students were encouraged to inject their own aesthetic evaluations, considering themselves as customers, into the design process. This allowed the students to put more attention on the human elements (aesthetics) of their design. As a result, the students’ design projects have dramatically improved in content and in forms. The advances in computer based 3D parametric modeling software has made the integration of aesthetics into the engineering design curriculum possible. Both AutoDesk’s Inventor and PTC’s Pro Engineer Wildfire software packages were used in the classrooms. With the software’s enhanced spline and surface features, students were able to try different forms or shapes to generate the desired aesthetic effects that they weren’t able to create in the past.