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Mark Rober Engineering Course Review

The Mark Rober creative engineering course significantly enhanced my problem-solving and creative thinking skills, allowing me to approach challenges with a multi-solution mindset. I successfully applied these skills to create innovative solutions, such as a unique circle-making tool and a device to distract a cat. Overall, the course provided valuable insights into the creative engineering process and the importance of thorough preparation before finalizing a project.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
10 views2 pages

Mark Rober Engineering Course Review

The Mark Rober creative engineering course significantly enhanced my problem-solving and creative thinking skills, allowing me to approach challenges with a multi-solution mindset. I successfully applied these skills to create innovative solutions, such as a unique circle-making tool and a device to distract a cat. Overall, the course provided valuable insights into the creative engineering process and the importance of thorough preparation before finalizing a project.

Uploaded by

johnmadlnas
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Mark Rober creative engineering – A

month later
It has been a few weeks since I finished the Mark Rober creative engineering
class and I felt that it was time to see what this course has done to me.

This course was not only a great resource to boost my creative


engineering skills, but it also helped shape my problem solving and thinking
skills. I now approach problems with a multi-solution mindset, making sure to
look at as many possible solutions and come up with the best one. This
course helped me solve problems and think of them in a less narrow minded
way, it helped me look at many possible solutions, and most of all, it helped
me come up with solutions that many people have not done before.

With this new superpower I was able to solve some small problems with
simple solutions in my everyday life, here are some examples.

I made a circle making tool out of a mason jar lid by looking at how i could
move a pencil in a perfect circle motion (and then adjust the size). My
solution works by having the outer ring of the lid contain the inner rotating
lid. The tool works because any point on the inner lid (the holes) can be used
to rotate the inner lid in a perfect circular motion. The solution is way
different than most circle tools, including all diy circle tools. This simply
would not have been possible without looking at every possible way to
achieve my end goal and setting requirements that I would need to meet in
order to do so.
Here is a demo of this tool: [Link] Here is the
commercial option I discovered later: [Link]
Integrated-Templates-Assorted-36002/dp/B0044S5CZM

I was able to come up with a concept and rough sketch (brainstorm and
research) for a new build a month after the course was fully completed, to
test how well I had retained my skills from this course and to have some fun
(I finished in a day), The idea was a device that could stop a cat meowing in
front of my sister’s door, my solution was a sound sensor to detect the
meows and a servo powered arm to drop a paper ball to scare and distract
the cat. Here is the page in my notebook that I used to solve this problem (I
sadly didn’t have time to prototype this build):

There are a lot more minor examples of how I used the knowledge in this
course after it was completed, but it would make this document too long. I
am very glad I took this course as I learned about the creative engineering
process and a lot about how I could approach problems and ideas from now
on (bonus: this course gave me a head start into the world of concept art,
since it requires a lot of iterations, research, and trying many possibilities).
The BRPF process (brainstorm, research, prototype, final build) process was
also a big mindset shift as I learned the value of the work that comes before
the final product, which was important in many fields outside of creative
engineering.

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The skills obtained from the Mark Rober course, such as creative problem-solving, multi-solution mindset, and the BRPF process, can be applied across various fields. For instance, in concept art, these skills assist in iterative design and exploration of numerous artistic possibilities. Additionally, in business or scientific research, the systematic approach to problem-solving and valuing preparatory work can enhance efficiency and innovation by fostering a culture of thorough examination and creativity .

A multi-solution mindset offers the advantage of expanding the range of potential solutions, allowing engineers to explore unconventional or overlooked methods. This broadened perspective can lead to innovative solutions that effectively address specific problems, as exemplified by the participant's creation of a unique circle-making tool. It encourages a deeper understanding of the problem and the exploration of uncharted territories in the quest for optimal solutions .

The BRPF process stands for brainstorm, research, prototype, and final build. It is considered a significant mindset shift because it underscores the importance of the stages leading up to the final product. Applying this process helps individuals appreciate the depth of effort and exploration required before refining a final solution, which is critical in various fields where thorough preparation and iterative design are key to success .

Participants reported that the course gave them a head start into the world of concept art by teaching them the importance of iteration, extensive research, and exploring many possibilities. These skills are directly applicable to concept art, where creativity and trial-and-error play crucial roles in developing new ideas and innovative designs .

To address the challenge of a meowing cat, a participant designed a device featuring a sound sensor to detect the cat's meows and a servo-powered arm to drop a paper ball as a distraction. This inventive solution illustrates the participant's application of skills learned in the course to solve a real-world problem with both creativity and functionality, although it was not prototyped .

The Mark Rober creative engineering course enhances problem-solving skills by fostering a multi-solution mindset, encouraging participants to explore numerous possible solutions before deciding on the best one. This approach not only broadens the problem-solving perspective but also aids in developing unique solutions that might not be obvious initially. The course instills a systematic approach to tackling challenges through the BRPF (brainstorm, research, prototype, final build) process, which emphasizes the importance of preliminary work before arriving at a final solution .

Research in the BRPF process serves to inform and shape the direction of the prototyping phase. It is critical because it allows for a deep understanding of the problem space and identification of potential solutions, challenges, and existing technologies or methods that can be adapted or improved upon. Thorough research minimizes redundant efforts and enhances the likelihood of emerging with effective, innovative solutions that are well-aligned with the project's goals and constraints .

The course influenced participants' daily problem-solving by equipping them with the skill to devise simple yet effective solutions for everyday challenges. For instance, one participant created a circle-making tool using a mason jar lid by leveraging a multi-solution mindset to meet specific requirements. This approach is different from traditional methods and illustrates the course's impact on thinking creatively about practical problems .

The BRPF process adds value to creative engineering by systematically guiding practitioners through distinct phases: brainstorming innovative ideas, thoroughly researching possible solutions, building prototypes to test concepts, and finalizing the build. This structured approach ensures a thorough exploration and refinement of ideas, leading to well-considered outcomes. Participants recognized the importance of each stage, especially the preliminary work that lays a strong foundation for successful project completion .

A participant exemplified creative engineering principles by developing a unique circle-making tool from a mason jar lid. By examining how to move a pencil in a perfect circle motion, the participant innovatively utilized the lid's structures to enable smooth circular movement, meeting specific functional requirements. This creation is distinct from typical DIY circle tools and reflects the participant's application of a comprehensive problem-solving process learned during the course .

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