Creative engineering design: The meaning of creativity and innovation in engineering

Abstract

The importance of creativity as a vehicle for innovation in engineering design is discussed in this chapter. A creative act needs acceptance of an idea, product, or process by the field, such as engineering and the domain such as science or Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Today’s engineers must be creative and innovative. The problems engineers facing today demand original thinking. To remain competitive globally, engineering firms rely on creative individuals and creative teams to develop new products for innovation. The Creative Engineering Design Assessment (CEDA) offers a new method for assessing creative engineering design. Unlike previous measures, the revised CEDA also measures Originality and Usefulness, which, to date, is a unique component when compared to other general creativity and engineering creativity measures. Creative design and its measurement may act as a catalyst to increase enrollment in STEM. Through prioritizing creativity and innovation, as we did with prioritizing scientific creativity in the 1950s, we can enhance global prosperity, not only for the United States of America (USA) but also for other countries around the world.