Hardware Design?

Question

Hello,
Another of my not so easily answered questions.. How do you get into hardware design? I'm nearly out of highschool and want to figure out if I want to work in the hardware or software aspect of computing. So my question is where would the DIY hardware engineer start out learning? I'm sure there's books but what would you recommend and what would be some cool stuff to start out with?
Thanks

Answer 1

I am 21 years old and I currently hold CompTIA: A+, Network+, Security+ and - Microsoft Certified Professional (Windows XP) Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (Microsoft Server 2003) Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (Microsoft Server 2003). and have been since 2005. The way I got started was just playing. You MUST remember that you can never "break" a computer by playing on it. Unless you take a screw driver to it or something. I would say start playing with it, take one apart, label all the computer components and put it back together.

Any other questions let me know,
Klint T.
A+,Network+,Security+, MCP, MCSA, MCSE

Answer 2

First of all, you are only a highschooler and highschoolers dont learn anything about circuit design at all.

When you are talking about hardware, you have to understand circuitry. You only learn about that if you are to take up engineering courses.

There are tonnes of books out there to get you started out with BUT the question is you dont have the necessary equipments to do all those circuitries. When you go into an engineering course, they will drill you on the equipments and stuff.

Your best bet (and the only way I guess) is to attend an engineering school.

Answer 3

You need a college BS degree. A lot of electronics, not just PC stuff. I would recomend getting some PC repair , networking, and computer programming courses off the bat. Get your CompTIA A+, and Network+ certifications and learn languages like HTML, C/C++ Visual Basic, and Java. You will need a LOT of math, like calc and above. Then find a school for electronics/ circut design. You will be able to use the networking, programming, and pc repair classes to help you with theese. Google search programs for INTERGRATED CIRCUT DESIGN/ ENGERERING schools. Maybe ITT Tech/ Devry, they might be able to point you in the right direction at least. Check out the Cisco systems networking acedamy for your networking. Not required but a lot of fun and might help in long run. It would help to know what state at least you are in. I believe the RIT and MIT engererring schools can give what you need. One more tip: Go to a 2 year community college and take Lib Arts. you need theese anyway, so why not save a lot of money right? They probally even have good IT/ CS courses.

Answer 4

That would be Electrical Engineering. You have to study component level stuff to design circuits for computers. I have an associates degree in electronics. I went to Uof I for engineering but it just wasn't my thing. I decided to work with my hands instead. and have been doing computer repair since 1986. Learn the basics and you'll have a better understanding for design.

Answer 5

What do you mean by hardware design? Lots of books on building or repairing computers. If you want to get into chip design, off to college you go.

Answer 6

You should look into topics such as Electronics and Electrical Engineering to start your journey towards being a hardware engineer. For software you shoud look into topics such as programming, logic and security. If you pursue software engineering you should take some time to investigate what area such as game development or application development you want to pursue as that will greatly impact your studies.

Answer 7

You would be looking for a course in Industrial Design which would be the same field that Apple Vice President of Industrial Design, Jonathan Ive took. If your good at it, you get paid plenty.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Ive

Answer 8

Start by consulting your local technical education center. They have guidance counselors on duty all the time. They have all the best advice for career minded individuals, who want to plan ahead to get the best their future can bring.

Answer 9

A+ computer maintenance (its easy too). Get into electronic theory, software is easy to learn on your own, trying to get linux or unix, it is more of a structured O.S. for advanced computer users and really allows you to see how scripts can control a system.