And people love to express their opinions though blogs and I REALLY HATE people who say “lame… this was a good blog until it got too personal with posts like this. we don’t care about this crap. “

Above is only an example, I like this blog, really.

The way I see it (being very general here), Engineers aim to complete a project using the most effective methods/materials/technologies available to them at the time. If someone presents something better or more effective, the Engineer takes this onboard in order to achieve the best possible outcome. What is important to an engineer is the end result, not the method.

Designers how ever rely on their method and style, and that is what characterises design. Design is largely about emotional response, and every designer has his or her own way of doing things, and this is why people by ‘designer’ clothes and ‘designer’ products, as the designers’ method or style almost acts as a brand identity which people buy into.

In my experience Designers often tend to be quite stubborn in their ways. I read one comment the other day where someone mentioned he felt that people who said they used Microsoft frontpage to design websites were insulting true ‘designers’ like himself. I assume this was because he used Dreamweaver on a Mac. In this sense what I am getting at is that Designers tend to associate themselves with certain things (tools, software, computers etc) as they feel these reinforce their status as a designer.

Really what I am trying to say is that to channel creativity, designers rely on fixed structures that they have built up through hard graft. When you critisise a piece of their work, it is often mistaken as a direct attack at their way of doing things, their ’structure’ that has taken many years to create.

When I studied Engineering, I was tought that I had to keep my mind open and remain flexible, because the world of science is constantly developing. It is a case of ‘evolve or get left behind’. It is this very fact that makes engineers crave constructive critisism and enjoy airing their opinions.

Anyway, I’m with you Kyle. Lets get opinionated!

This article seems to be right on. I think the ability to just “chill the fuck out” comes with maturity (note: not age!). Also, note the irony of the term “chill the fuck out”…

Also, I’ve found it’s very powerful to “save up” my opinions. Just because an idea/opinion is good, and especially if it’s great, I don’t have to call up everyone I know. Especially at 0500. It’s just rude, and they won’t listen to me or care. So I would also add that tact is something in short supply with young, talented engineers like myself and my friend (and clearly you - take that as a compliment?)

Man…I don’t blog much….but when it rains it fucking pours! Also, I’m writing a movie with Samuel L Jackson, it’s called Comments On A Blog. Whaddya think?

People who have the soaring ego to think that they’ve got the best work in the world shouldn’t really need to get their work scrutinized.

But when they do, and they don’t hear what they want to hear, it’s just drives one to punch said species in the face.

Not always, but most of the time.

-Nick

Although I would add that engineers will alter their thinking if the argument presented beats theirs ;)