2nd Summer Introduction to Design
MIT's Introduction to Design walks students through a full product design cycle using a team-based design-and-build project centered on a consumer product the team identifies itself. Lessons cover formulating design strategies, concept generation and selection, machine elements, estimation, design for manufacturing, and visual thinking, alongside communication, teamwork, and professional responsibility. The course treats design as an iterative process modeled on the scientific method and peer review, with teams expected to build and test prototypes on a schedule and within a budget. Materials available through MIT OpenCourseWare include assignments, project guidelines, and course readings used in the original mechanical engineering subject. No certificate is offered, but the full set of course materials is free to access and reuse under MIT's open license.