Aim

This online course provides a theoretical framework for understanding conceptual design in the context of structural engineering. It will include understanding the overall process of design, where conceptual design fits within the process, how to interpret a client brief, strategies for generating ideas in response to a brief, and rapid, iterative modelling and testing of ideas.

Participants will apply the techniques taught in the workshop to design scenarios that they bring from their personal practice. The course is delivered through a series of 4 weekly 2-hour interactive webinars supported by individual study in between.

• Week 1 (22 April) - Working with the brief
• Week 2 (29 April) - Developing ideas
• Week 3 (6 May) - Modelling and testing ideas
• Week 4 (13 May) - Bringing it all together

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, you should be able to:

• Explain the design process as a series of discrete steps
• Describe the characteristics of a good design brief and use this knowledge to write your own brief
• Describe and use techniques for idea generation
• Describe and use techniques for modelling and testing your ideas

Tutor

Oliver Broadbent is an expert facilitator and trainer in design thinking for the built environment. With a background in civil engineering and teaching, he specialises in designing high-impact training that has a lasting effect on the learner.

He is Director of engineering education and training consultancy Think Up. There he leads the development of Think Up’s programme of design training for an international portfolio of design consultancies. He also works with universities including Cambridge, Bath and Imperial to develop innovative approaches to curriculum design and delivery.

Oliver has co-authored a series of good practice teaching guides for the Royal Academy of Engineering on experience-led learning, e-learning for engineers, effective industrial engagement in engineering education and how to teach sustainability.

He is a Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor at Imperial College, London.


Intended for

Structural engineers who are preparing to take The Institution of Structural Engineers Chartered Membership Exam.


Entry criteria

None. Participants will need to have Adobe Flash installed on their computer but will be given the option to download it after clicking on the meeting link.

Please note: By booking a place on this course, you agree that IstructE Ltd will pass your contact details on to Constructivist Ltd. who will contact you directly with details of how to log onto the course.

Don't delay booking your place - if we have not received enough bookings to break even one month before the date of the course, we will have to cancel it.