Staying strong in a world surrounded by concrete and steel. Despite what you may think about the title presented above, I consider one of the most necessary and onward careers. It is the bastard (but proud) son of the affair between science and technology. Therefore, I find engineers essential for the development of societies, and later the revolution of them. We are defined by our capability to create practical solutions with scientific discovery; we decode highly complex mathematical and physical equations and translate them to tangible products that boost the economy and quality of life. In other words, we are the cryptographers of science. engineering During my 6 years study engineering (I switched from one type of engineering to another) I found myself in the position of “decrypting” the basic knowledge we need to learn and come up with some of roughly called answers. I learned that it doesn’t matter what you are doing, to whom, or with what kind of resources: you must be efficient, and . For easy problems there may be easy solutions, but by considering more variables when solving an issue, you will achieve more complete results. Thus, it is your sacred duty as an engineer make your problems more difficult in order to make other people’s lives easier. there is always room for improvement During my third year in school I had an existential crisis as a result of looking at workers in engineering companies being absolutely happy between the immense chaos of a construction places, recognizing disapproving looks from my coworkers/teachers/fellows engineers when I suggested solutions involving not only the study of mathematics but arts and social sciences. I used to think: “What am I doing with people who are “shortsighted” and can’t accept that we require more than numbers and measurable variables to understand the nature of human needs?” Well_, they are not short minded, I was out of place and that was not the proper question._ Reconsidering possibilities led me through a new path The right questions are: why did I study such a difficult degree if I am not looking to just solve issues involving the study of math, physics and chemistry? Why did I choose to be a civil engineer if I like interior, furniture and economics? I’m going to tell you why it was a great idea to become a civil engineer despite this all: design Overcoming tough obstacles prepares you for bigger challenges: Pursuing a demanding degree, whether you like it or not, provides you with great tolerance for frustration, strengthens discipline, and most of all, gives you a better view of the big picture. What I mean is that, if you manage to learn how to solve equations and deal with problems that need exact answers without really enjoying math and physics (I was good at them, but they just bored the hell out of me), you are probably going to understand the basis of what you need when you study industrial design or architecture. Now, I am not saying it will be easy or you won’t need help. Instead, when you master some of the basic concepts of designing (furniture or decoration) you are not just going to look for solutions that fulfill these standards, but for solutions that are efficient according to engineering concepts. Malleability on the definition of the “right” solution. Listening to a debate between an engineer and a designer regarding the design of a table is basically like listening to two inflexible people who both think they are right, because one is extremely efficient and the other knows about aesthetics. Although annoying, it can be enlightening in a way. As a third person interested in both fields, you are looking for the happy medium between efficiency and aesthetics. An engineer’s approach to the solution lies with the understanding of the material behavior, and always looks for designing to the largest amount of useful life of the product, while a designer recognizes the importance of studying market changes and appearance which help create products that satisfy the users’ needs a . bit more For multiple solutions are different results, it is on you make improvement and seek for the best of them. Understanding trends and environmental impact while creating products. People often redecorate their houses and change their furniture (in average) seven years, primarily because they find out that fashion is changing, and we need acceptance to survive in a world that stresses the importance of appearance. Having said this, we accept consumerism as part of our daily life. As an engineer I can’t say that statement is completely true. In my line of work, we are taught to create more using less because understanding how harmful construction can be to society and the environment is one of our “10 Commandments”. Commandments that I haven’t seen featured in many designs I had the opportunity to see. What I am trying to say is, what if instead of creating products made to be thrown away every few years, we consciously design lasting, fulfilling amenities made for people who project their individual selves, which can be easily adapted as we change over the years? Certainly predicting fashion and understanding marketing are skills that we as engineers lack, but my main concern is having the capability to comprehend them enough to come up with suitable ideas. I spent many years believing those are not important, that they are a consequence of the modern world, not necessary to survival. Engineering and exact science are the engine of everything around us, but fashion, marketing and design are also part of our daily lives as modern humans. These go deeper toward our need for acceptance — we can’t live isolated, we need to be part of something (you can go ask Hannah Baker about it). I realized all these being an engineer “You shall not have other god but exact science” is the first bullshit commandment that I intend to reevaluate through becoming (in the future, acquiring the knowledge I need) a furniture designer and interior decorator (because why do I need to choose?) who intends to create engineering solutions tailored to the needs of art, social and modern spaces.
