Gentlemen, and Ladies. The almost impossible has come true. The great news this time is that we have our first female engineer answering our monthly questions and giving a slightly different insight to the mostly guys dominated industry. How many women do you have as engineering workmates or college students? Emma McGuinness is one of the rare and few so read on.
GC: What is your engineering background? How, of all subjects, did you decide to study it and why do you want to develop a career in CAD?
Emma: I was always interested in art and design from a young age. I took Graphic Design in the 3rd year at high school and instantly knew I made a good choice. I continued with Graphics until 6th year where I also studied Product Design. I enjoyed both subjects and found a CAD course at college which combined both subjects. I completed my HNC with an A and I am currenty in the middle of my HND. I would love to continue into a career in CAD as it is something I have enjoyed studying for over 5 years.
GC: Is there anything in engineering that you find especially challenging? Anything that you really enjoy?
Emma: There is'nt anything in particular that I find challenging in CAD other than trying to model a particularly complex shape on inventor. I really enjoy modeling my own ideas and generating 3D models. It is very fulfilling seeing one of your sketches become 3D.
GC: Check out one of Emma's examples here - one very sleek lamp for a modern home.
GC: Tell us about some of your most interesting projects? What were they, how big was the project or any other cool bits?
Emma: One of my favourite designs is the New York inspired lamp design featured in my profile but the project I have most enjoyed is the Luxury Tree House I am working on now for my Graded Unit as I really enjoy working independently coming up with new and unique ideas. I also generated a 3D model of my uncles garage he was planning to make a bedroom and created some renders of what it could look like. I also have been asked to do some floor plans and 3D renders of a log cabin one client is planning to bulid in the summer.
GC: Emma is happily willing to share the results of the house projects as soon as they're finished. Will be very exciting to see whether the tree house will look anything like a huge luxury building raised off the ground, or maybe closer to a crazy treetop restaurant?
GC: Any role models in engineering or design? Any teams or companies whose work inspires you?
Emma: There are not any teams or companies in particular but I do like to see architects work from the very 1st stages right to the end and I enjoy programmes like Grand Designs and Property ladder. (GC: Indeed, if you're into architecture, the Channel 4 series has broadcast some great episodes on sketching interiors and exteriors)
GC: Favourite CAD software?
Emma: The software I am most efficient at is Inventor as it is the software I started using in 5th year, however I enjoy rendering and animating my designs on 3Ds Max. I also enjoyed using Revit Architecture although we only used this for a few weeks.
GC: How to get more girls into engineering? What could be the areas where women could simply be better experts than men?
Emma: I think that compared to the guys in my class, I add more attention to detail to my designs. Being the only female, my designs usually stand out as being quite girly. Not too girly but not the usual 'boys toys'. I think that CAD is thought of as a male dominated course however I would encourage any girls interested to go for it.
GC: Indeed, we do encourage everyone to show off their CAD magic, no matter whether you're a he or a she. There are very few women in CAD as well as GrabCAD so if you are reading this and have a similar background to Emma's, definitely sign up to join the most helpful and skilled CAD club. And many thanks, Emma!
