Expertise in engineering design

Most studies of designer behavior are limited to studies of novice or average-ability designers. We have studied two outstanding expert designers, and are able to draw some parallels between their design strategies. We note that they both take a systemic view of the design situation, choose to frame their view of the problem in a challenging way, and draw upon first principles to guide both their overall concept and derailed design. Studying expert designers should enable us to identify the seeds of 'best practice'. This should be useful in design practice and in education, for guiding the development of better-than-average designers.