Invention and Evolution
Design in Nature and Engineering

An extensively revised introduction for engineering students to design for function.

Michael French (Author)

9780521469111, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 15 September 1994

388 pages
24.9 x 17.5 x 2 cm, 0.802 kg

Review of the first edition: 'Indeed it deserves the same wide audience as J. E. Gordon's brilliant popular classic: The Science of Strong Materials and Structures. It deals largely with different aspects of design but it resembles them in its clarity, wisdom, humour, and in its astonishing range of examples.' The Times Higher Education Supplement

This textbook for engineering students provides an introduction to design for function, using many examples of manufactured artefacts and living organisms to demonstrate common themes and fundamental principles. Examples forcefully illustrate the importance of the basic design principles related to materials, energy and information. The author also discusses the relation of aesthetic and functional design, the crucial relation of design to production in artefacts, and reproduction in organisms. The book concludes with a brief summary of the role and requirements of designers and inventors. This second edition has been extensively revised, with more examples and a new chapter with actual design case studies to illustrate key ideas. In addition, many exercises have been added to help reinforce important points in the text.

'Preface to the second edition
Preface to the first edition
Acknowledgements
1. The designed world
2. Energy
3. Materials
4. Mechanism
5. Structures
6. Systems
7. The practice, principles and philosophy of design
8. Economy, form and beauty
9. Production, reproduction, evolution and design
10. Designing and inventing
11. Some case studies
Questions
Answers
Suggestions for further reading
Index.

Subject Areas: Engineering: general [TBC]