I just discovered a cool new (free) product called Google Sketchup. My father-in-law (an artistic engineer) will LOVE this tool. From Google:

Developed for the conceptual stages of design, Google SketchUp is a powerful yet easy-to-learn 3D software tool that combines a simple, yet robust tool-set with an intelligent drawing system that streamlines and simplifies 3D design. From simple to complex, conceptual to realistic, Google SketchUp enables you to build and modify 3D models quickly and easily.

• Simple: Learn the small toolset quickly
• Fast: Model as fast as you think
• Powerful: Design anything from a shoebox to a skyscraper
• Flexible: Make your models loose/conceptual or tight/accurate
• Fun: Place your models in Google Earth

Now if only I didn’t have a massive paper to write! I will experiment with this after I graduate.

First project: use the IDEO method to design a baby crib?