Are there any left?
This month's topic is...
"What will encourage high school students to design couches rather than become couch potatoes?"
If you would like to contribute, fill out the form and let us know why ANYONE would want to study Industrial Design!
i am fascinated in what all id is about, but we need more information , at least in my country about , doing good presentations at the internet, can you tell me where can i get this information??'
luis - age 19
studing industrial design - mexico
All the cool things that are conceivable with modern technology is the thing I think attracks students to I.D.
The opportunity to make something new that has never been done before or to adapt an old idea into something easier to use and that makes people say "cool"
Mike - age 27
Telecom Tech - Boston
Not only students but everyone is attracted to ID when they realize we can do anything since we are trained in multiple disciplines. But let's face not everyone can be an ID, you can love it but that doesn't mean you are good at it, or that you can handle the amount of work it requieres. Everything that is around us has being designed, could it been the idea started in a napkin or in a dream burt as far as i
Chinesse - age 23
i design!!!!!!!! - Guatemala
More firms Interested in talented young creative people.
Alex - age 24
Freelance Designer & Professional Unemployed - London
ID is very interesting to me, but only because i was introduced to it by my teacher, i think, to get more students interesting in joining the field the information has to be available to them!
Amanda - age 17
student... - Austin, Texas
I think the challenge of designing a product that people will use in every day life should be attractive enought.
I enjoy doing the degree and will be taking a years work placement this coming year which will hopefully show
me what professional design work is all about.
Mark - age 20
BSc Indutrial Product Design - Coventry
I think the challenge of designing a product that people will use in every day life should be attractive enought.
I enjoy doing the degree and will be taking a years work placement this coming year which will hopefully show
me what professional design work is all about.
Mark - age 20
BSc Indutrial Product Design - Coventry
The main thing about ID for me is, that you are creating your own working material. Your only limitation is your own creativity. You’re taught the basic skills. How to approach a problem, and what kind of tools you could use in solving it. But once you realize, you can set your boundaries were ever you want, you are about to discover the real strength and joy of ID. I'm only in my fourth year of University. So don't take my opinion for a fact. But I do hope people can get the same thrill, and feeling of unlimited opportunities out of ID as I'm getting.
The best to you all, and don't forget, "You can achieve what ever you want to achieve"
Joost - age 21
Industrial Design Engineering Student - Delft, Netherlands
ID is very important in our life. There is so many things to do...
For me create original and usefull objects is the most important idea in the ID.
Our work is to make the life better...
(Sorry for my english...)
In french:
Le design industriel occupe une place importante dans notre vie. Il y a tellement de choses à faire...Pour moi créer des objets originaux et utiles est l'idée la plus importante dans l'ID. Notre travail est de rendre la vie plus facile...
gregory - age 18
student, Institut Supérieur de Design - France
the US ID-education-machine couldn't define what industrial design was in 1969... i'm sorry to see it is still wrestling with it.
were i a college bound individual considering entering the field of ID today, i would be asking some really (really)pointed questions about how industrial designers generate an income in lieu of traditional ID employment (working for someone else).
it is obvious that there are far more designers than jobs for them. design schools need to teach designers how to start and grow their own business. of course their "business" is teaching; whether or not these people can find a job after graduation is immaterial to them.
with regard to other disciplines, industrial designers MUST lose this god's-gift-to-humanity attitude. IDs must, above all, possess an open mind... or they will never be able to comprehend the problems of the end-user. it a rare individual that can do it all, and some humility goes alooooooooooooooooong way!
Lew - age 48
ID consultant - US left coast
Look around you, do you want to be part of this world full of creativity, everything you see went through the design process primarly on a piece of paper. It is amazing what is inside your head waiting to get out through your hands for the world to see...
niamh - age 24
Industrial Designer -
In my opinion students should either be introduced to a seminar during school of may two to three lectures or maybe have a small scale project to be done in their curriculum to introduce them to ID. Basically until they are not introduced to the different careers they will not be able to decide.
Glen Lopes - age 28 yrs
Architect - Dubai, Uae
I think students will want in on Industrial Design if they see that objects or items they are excited about were designed by someone--even if the items are fictional, say a phaser from Star Trek. If you find something that stimulates excitement and imagination, be it a toy or some science fiction device or a piece of furniture that engages them personally youve accomplished the first step. Bring in an example of such an object. If you can show them that these objects were once dreams or desires in someone's mind, just as they dream and desire, then you give them a few skells and tools, and offer them an opportunity to make something themselves (either something fantastical or some solution to a very specific goal you set--or ideally some of both!), you'll attract students to the field.
Again, 1) expose them to pique the student's interest, 2) show how what they've seen is designed and designable, 3) give them skills and tools to work with and 4) invite them to dream and challenge them to design.
Tim - age 35
Macintosh Integration Consultant - Guilford, Connecticut, USA
If you are committed, interested in how things work, and, could work better,
and take pride in completing projects to a high standard, you face the
prospect of travelling around the world earning a lot of money and ending
everyday with a sigh of satisfaction.
Would this attract you???? - like Cameron bloody Diaz!
Good luck and maybe we will meet someday - somewhere?
philip - age 22
Doing Product design degree(have nat.dip.industrial design) - university of ulster - magee
Profesional designers should hold workshops at high schools especially in Art and Shop classes and let these students know that their skills can be directed into a specific goal.
TC - Washington
BEING A PRODUCT DESIGNER IS A 'BABE MAGNET' I CAN'T COUNT HOW MANY TIMES PEOPLE SAY 'THAT'S COOL' AFTER I TELL THEM WHAT I DO. UNLESS YOU'RE A MECH ENGINEER.
David - age 26
co-op ID student - Ottawa, Canada
So you want to be an industrial designer?
First, you must have a passion for life.
Second, common sense is a must!
Third, You must be responsible for your actions
and last, be honest with your self and mankind will
thank you. By the way do you think that Leonardo
Da' Vinci was using a computer when he created his
masterpieces? It's all going back to basics. Are
you willing to pursue the dream without a big reward $$ ?
Good luck and be persistent. mike
art.
Michael - age 32
IGNIS DESIGN STUDIO, - NJ
I am considering a change to ID from my current job because I have realized that
I like designing things. Some talent with visual communication (drawing) helps
and students with this skill should be given ID as an option. Didn't happen with
me. All the usual encouragements like Doctor, Lawyer, Engineer. No offense meant
to the engineering profession, but not enough have been taught that part of how
well something works is also how well it looks. The reverse criticism may be true
of many designs. Part of the beauty of an object is inherent in its purpose and
utility. These things can be taught to young people. I learned them only later.
My ideal designer has not only a visual arts background, but some highly technical
skills as well. Of course, as consultants, the sub-contract always comes into
play, and maybe just as well.
M. Jensen Didulo - age 30
Production Supervisor - Vancouver, BC
Unfortunately,I believe that students in high school are to young to decide what they want to do as a career. At that age they are more concerned about girlfrinds and boyfriends and parties (obviously not all students are like this but I think it's safe to say the majority)which is very normal. Industrial design is fun and exciting but requires a lot of devotion and hard work, and often high school students aren't ready for that type of commitment yet. However the first step would be to introduce the field to them so they know what it is and are aware that it could be a career choice when they graduate or a couple of years after graduation (when they have partied enough and are ready to get serious about school).
Ricardo Perez - age 20
Industrial Design - Canada
As a recent Design degree graduate I was first attracted to Industrial design
because I wanted a job that would never be boring or mundane. But as I have
matured over the years and as a ID class have discussed similar topics we decided
that in the future jobs are moving towards multi-skilled professions. Have recently
graduated I can list the skills I have acquired as being anything from rendering to photography, model making
3D-cad and a heap of others. I like the idea that there really isn't a definition of Industrial design, because it
means we have the ability to create anything. Lastly if you have a passion for design or a hunger for something different
Industrial design can easily fill that need.
Scott - age 23
Industrial designer - New Zealand
Developing the challenge of creating or modifying functional platforms, systems or devices to improve perfromance, ease of use, appearence and cost.
MATTHEW BYRNE - age 17
STUDENT/ATHLETE & A PRETTY GOOD ARTIST - DRACUT, MASSACHUSETTS
Developing the challenge of creating or modifying functional platforms, systems or devices to improve perfromance, ease of use, appearence and cost.
MATTHEW BYRNE - age 17
STUDENT/ATHLETE & A PRETTY GOOD ARTIST - DRACUT, MASSACHUSETTS
Developing the challenge of creating or modifying functional platforms, systems or devices to improve perfromance, ease of use and cost.
MATTHEW BYRNE - age 17
STUDENT/ATHLETE & A PRETTY GOOD ARTIST - DRACUT, MASSACHUSETTS
to L'ENFANT TERRIBLE
ENGINEERS DO NOT DESIGN PRODUCTS, THEY ARE ONLY
TOOLS AT THE INDUSTRIAL / PRODUCT / INTERFACE
DESIGNERS DISPOSAL. TO SEE HOW ENGINEERS BOTCH
DESIGN.... LOOK AT THE FRENCH AUTOMOBILES LIKE THE
RENAULT OR PEUGOT. ENGINEERS ARE NOT EQUIPPED TO
ADDRESS SUCH ISSUES AS CULTURE,SEMANTICS,AESTHETICS,MARKETING,
AND SO ON. IF YOU WISH TO DISCUSS THIS FURTHER I AM
AT Quelller_drive < a t > hotmail.com (please reply -or anyone
else who is ill-informed)
Cary - age 30
student - nj
to L'ENFANT TERRIBLE
ENGINEERS DO NOT DESIGN PRODUCTS, THEY ARE ONLY
TOOLS AT THE INDUSTRIAL / PRODUCT / INTERFACE
DESIGNERS DISPOSAL. TO SEE HOW ENGINEERS BOTCH
DESIGN.... LOOK AT THE FRENCH AUTOMOBILES LIKE THE
RENAULT OR PEUGOT. ENGINEERS ARE NOT EQUIPPED TO
ADDRESS SUCH ISSUES AS CULTURE,SEMANTICS,AESTHETICS,MARKETING,
AND SO ON. IF YOU WISH TO DISCUSS THIS FURTHER I AM
AT Quelller_drive < a t > hotmail.com (please reply -or anyone
else who is ill-informed)
Cary - age 30
student - nj
First let me say this: I do not believe the Industrial
design profession receives adequate recognition. ID is is
all around us every day; it is obscure yet obvious.
As a highschool student I was never exposed to the ID
profession. This was unfortunate, as I wasted nearly 10
years in the engineering field thinking this was what I
wanted to do. I was only exposed to ID at the age of 27
after a visit to a GM automobile plant in Delaware. I think
organizations like the IDSA,OBD,and others should be more
active in spreading the word of the profession. What attracted
me to ID primarily is its highly creative, yet very technical
nature. I think this is what attracts others as well.
Cary - age 30
full time Industrial Design student - New Jersey
Actually, I would like to ask a question to those ID professionals out
there. I entered graphic design only because Texas doesn't really have
a Industrial Design school that I am aware of. I appreciate all that I am learning
but I can't wait to apply these lessons to whatever design school I end up at.
My question is if ya'll (I couldn't keep it in) think that a designer would be more
efficient with an engineering degree as well? And if so, what type of engineering field
i.e. constructional, chemical, electrical, ect. would be most beneficial? I see
alot of comments that mention engineering with much distaste but it would seem
to me that the two would need to work together. If I am way off base with the
engineering idea please suggest a second field of concentration that you feel
may be needed by the time I enter the work force. P.S It's very hot in Te4xas.
Marrow - age 25
Graphic Design Student - Dallas
I think that if there was more knoledge of what ID is would greatly help. Many people think it is like Industrial
Engineering, which is big time wrong. I changed majors from Architecture to ID because I love to work with my hands and
create new things, and redesign old ideas.
Jeff - age 21
student < a t > The Savannah College of Art and Design - Savannah, Ga
www.infolynk.com/untoys
Architect by training, Industrial Designer at heart!
Frustrated with the lack of respect to the genuine skill
of designers as a whole, I went ahead and started
untoys, products...an asset-free idea factory,
where we invent, design, and license the rignts to concepts!
(ie. invest some time/money in a protoype
and then present it to manufacturers)
A word of advice to all upcoming designers,
be a genuine designer, persist as hell,
and you will succeed.
Good Luck to all
Nadim - age 31
Architecture & Industrial Design - Irvine, California
Do you dream to see a smile on somebody's face who uses your "product"?
Do you want to see somebody earning his livelihood on your "product"?
If "somebody" is a child of 12 years and the "product" is a shopping bag made out of empty & used tetrapacks, from which he earns 15 cents, I think you have made your most succesful product.
Are Product Design students ready for this?
Where your rendering skills are not needed, is it product design?
Where you have to think, is it product design?
Where the solution is so simple that all your engineering inputs are a waste, is it product design?
Where you don't have fancy Power Mac'c or SGI workstations for "design", will you work here?
Where design has a meaning much beyond automotive design, it has social implications, it transforms societies.
Welcome to a country where Jaguar XJ9's move with bullock carts, where designers work with multinational automotive giants as well as NGO's for social communications and service.
Can anybody tell me, what is Design?
Ripul Kumar - age 23
Interface design - New Delhi, India
I think that exposure to students and people in general as to the role of designers is a critical start. I've known since middle school that I wanted to be a designer, yet the only people I was told who designed were engineers or architects. It's ridiculous how few people realize what industrial design is though their lives are surrounded by it. My education began as an engineering major with the understanding that engineers design, yet after the first year and a hard look at the curriculum, I realized that there was little if any emphasis on design. Only through a career service with the university did I find that Industrial Design existed, and was exactly what I was looking for. However, engineering was brutal to my gpa, and transfering out to a another college was unlikely. So, I did interior design for a semester, got my grades up and transfered to the School of Architecture, which had a curriculum more suited to design. This was a good decision, yet in my own mind I knew I wanted to design things more than buildings. Having graduated with a BA in architecture and having worked for a year, I find Industrial Design still calling me, so presently, I am trying to enter the field of Industrial Design, some way or another. If only my high school counselor knew that designers are not only engineers, I think I would be in Industrial Design right now vs. striving to be in it.
I don't mean to put the blame on others for my delayed realization of what industrial designers are, however, I feel there is a need to educate people to the role of design and clarify what designers do at an early stage in education.
David - age 25
Arch. trained, trying to get into ID - houston,tx
First of all we should attract manufacturers and employers into promoting Industrial Design and gain their confidence in
the education system.This will then help to produce graduates which posess the required skills needed for the real world.
Having graduated 3 years ago with 7 years of design education and 2 years varied work experience around the world behind me i am yet to attain an industrial of product design post.
I was a constant high acheiver who was regularly recoginsed for great design output- yet in the real world i seem to be unusable.
More students means more gradutes who go into unemployment or more graduates who waste their skills & education and are forced to work in a non creative environment
in order to survive. Education/industry links must be promoted, without them both will fail.
Ps. If you need an excellent junior designer I will travel anywhere in the world!!!!
Tim J. Morton - age 26
You dont want to know- not design!! - London, England
First of all we should attract manufacturers and employers into promoting Industrial Design and gain their confidence in
the education system.This will then help to produce graduates which posess the required skills needed for the real world.
Having graduated 3 years ago with 7 years of design education and 2 years varied work experience around the world behind me i am yet to attain an industrial of product design post.
I was a constant high acheiver who was regularly recoginsed for great design output- yet in the real world i seem to be unusable.
More students means more gradutes who go into unemployment or more graduates whowaste their education and are forced to work in a non creative environment
in order to survive. Education/industry links must be promoted, without them both will fail.
Ps
Tim J. Morton - age 26
You dont want to know- not design!! - London, England
Commemt: I have been a professional since 1962 when I did a MS in industrial design. As an ex member of IDSA I have been concerned that all of the orginizations promoting ID somehow do no get the message about how important ID is to the general well being of the general public. I am about at the end of my carreer and I would like to make contact with students and to pass on my experience to those struggling. I have had an unusual career and we have worked for the Fortune 200 in a variety of capacities which transcend ID but are important to the profession of ID. You have my E mail and let the questions come as I want to talk with those who aree starting out in the world of professional industrial design.pk wo
minot dole - age 63
industrial design and product development - essex ct
ID at Western is terrible. Our instructor is awful and we don't learn anything
I am sick of everyone telling me I won't get a job
because of all the talent at CCS and Pasedena but a
student doesn't have 15,000 dollars a year for a design
education. There is a heck of alot of talent out there and
companies should not be so biased as to who they hire.
Jason - age 23
Senior in the ID Program - Western Michigan University
I belive one of the main reasons more studends will be attracted to ID, is the impact computers have had on ID. Throughout this decade computers have combined with art and shown up in all forms of design. This new generation of kids who have an interest in art, design, invention, and have grown up using a computer should find ID a very interesting program. One other reason for ID's appeal may be due to the fact that a lot of people don't really know much about ID. I think a lot of kids today want to do something different than your general Art's or Science degree.
Jay - age 19
Student - University of Alberta, CANADA
As a high school student, I wish I knew how
many opportunities there are in the field of design.
I would have been encouraged to know, as I am now
encouraged, just how interdisciplinary designers
are becoming. The design process applies to so many
realms of design, and once you start designing things
it is difficult to remain limited to a singular
realm.
Christine - age 24
Interior Design student < a t > Kwantlen University College - Delta, BC Canada
As far as the UK is concerned ID has an unbelievably
low profile in schools etc. Very few have actually heard
of the term 'industrial design' let alone know what it is
we actually do. Because of this you can't even begin
to 'attract' students to something they don't know exists!
Why do we have this problem and what can we do about it?
It seems that the problem in schools etc. is a reflection
of an attitude in UK industry, that ID is just some
artist playing around with markers or on a computer making
a product look pretty and giving engineers a headache at
the company's expense.
ID needs to sell itself at an industry level much more strongly
than present. We have so much to offer, at Newcastle we are
trained in visual design, engineering, interface design to name
but a few areas, and there are many other institutions in the UK
offering the same; Brunel, Ravensbourne and De Montford to name
but a few. This holistic skill set is what should make all of
us so valuable in todays multi-disciplinary, global economy.
As institutions we try to sell ourselves at our own shows and those
such as the New Designers in London, at an incredible cost to the
students or if we're lucky with the aid of some sponsers. It however
very rare that we ever hear of a similar showcase of proffesional
talent in the UK.
Raising the profile and value of our proffesion is the first step towards
attracting a wealth of talented and dedicated students.
I could probably carry on for a lot longer but I don't want to moan for ever.
I love design and what I do, it always excites me with it's rich scope and
enthusiasm that I see every day at Uni, lets hope that this message can be spread
as widely as possible to inspire the next generation of ID students!
Neil Kirkpatrick - age 21
Ba Hons Design for Industry (4th Year) - University of Northumbria, UK
cool demos in high schools. Sign me up!
stu - age 29
design - ny
I'm sorry about my last comment, I kept hitting the carriage return because there's no screen wrap on this system. Sorry.
Lucas -
I am currently a student at the University of Minnesota, and I am in
a degree program which is basically graphic design, but I think what I
am really interested in is ID. When I came to school here, I didn't
know about ANY design degrees. I was initially trying to double-major
in fine arts and M.engineering. I was just a guess as to what I was
supposed to study in order to get the job I want. When people would
ask me what I wanted to do as a career, I said that I wanted to be
like an architect, but to design products, not buildings. My point is
this: I didn't know jack about design. I've been in a design program
for a year and I only just now have discovered ID, which is what I
really want to do. I've been building and designing different
projects since I was about seven. I am very inventive and mechanically
inclined, yet I never heard anything about ID until this summer.
Design has a massive exposure problem. Nobody knows what it is, and
because of that, people who want to do it and have a natural calling
for it are left searching in the dark trying to find a way to their
careers. Now that I know about the ID field, I'm still not sure as
to how I should try to culminate my education. The design world has
to find a way to harvest talent. Hoping to attract students to ID is
like hoping an apple will fall on your head so that you can eat it.
Instead of waiting for it to fall on your head, you should figure out
how to reach up and pick it. Develop programs to harvest these kids,
not attract them.
Lucas Oeth - age 20
Student - University of Minnesota
EASY!! - GAMES!!! Industrial designers can work at game companys, and today's and tommorow's technology lets you design whatever the hell you can imagine, use it in real (or prerendered) time, have part of a story, have it actually WORK (unlike prototypes), get paid the big bucks working on SGIs, and entertain millions. Granted games are getting worse and worse, but then again, thats YOUR responsibilty as a designer - to make sure it doesn't SUCK!
Dan Abrams - age 18
ID w/emphisis on high end 3D CG - seattle
To "perpetuate the species" of designers, I think it
is critical that designers "give back" to education in
their communities, particularly in those areas lacking
in vocational training or where educational resources
have been cut back. Getting hands-on internships,
discussions and interaction with young "hep" designers
would go a long way towardl realizing that they could
do it too. I get frustrated by the negativity of some
of the comments I've seen in response to this question.
Perhaps people should think about the critical people
or events that lead them to be designers and see if they
can't salvage a bit of humanity out of those events to
spread to those without insight. Design in general is
misunderstood enough as it is without "our own" adding
to the fire.
-)
Rob - age 30
Design Manager for Web Site - San Francisco Bay Area
I have read through some of the comments, and it
seems that the universities must get in contact with
high school students' counselors to let them know its out there!
When I was in school, I certainly didnt know, and if i did
happen to hear about it I probably thought it was ENGINEERING!
not design. I am considering changing careers, and am
currently looking at graduate programs. But what is the difference
between an industrial engineer, and a mechanical engineer?
James - age 27
Graphic Designer - Palo Alto, CA
There is a real need to attract students who WANT to become designers
rather than students who feel they are there for the marks. I've met too many
industrial design students with a mentality where they only want to pass, rather
than having any real passion or vision to create solutions through better design.
Industrial Design as a career option, should be communicated to students in high
schools as more than just a technnical profession (as the word "industrial" would
imply) but rather a creative and well rounded profession requiring skills and a high
degree of lateral thinking.
Liza - age 25
Industrial Designer - Sydney, Australia
In response to Sam Read...Sorry old chap, but the majority of consumer products are actually designed by engineers, not designers...
L' enfant terrible -
I'm not too sure what the ID scene is like in the USA , but i'd like to
reiterate what Sam Read of the UK said regarding the early awareness of the
different aspects of design , aswell as how good and bad design can effect the
quality of life on a local and global level . I'll also add that I think if
projects at University were done with a much more proffessional attitude
(eg. The Bauhaus ) and that stuent efforts were focused on the market and not
the markers , then ID as a proffession should gain greater awareness amongst
greater levels of . . . is there anyone else in Australia that knows of this
site ? If there is , please SPEAK UP . #:]
One more thing . . .
Andrew - age 18
ID student - Uni. Technology Sydney - Sydney , Australia
I'm gratueted five years ago at Santa Ursula University at Rio de Janeiro,
and today I working whith promotional architecture. Thousands times I have difficults
at my spaces creations because hard and polited education I had.
I need more knologe of form, creation and gestalt. I need know more about human perseption,
about colors, sentimental and material comportment.
That's why I'm looking for industrial design, may be some interior questions could be answered...
Sorry about my English
Lucilia - age 30yo
I'm architect - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Check out our IDSA site at Auburn:
http://www.auburn.edu/student_info/idsa/auidsa.html
Or click under "schools, Auburn"
WARRRRR EAGLE!!!
Jack - age 21
Industrial Design Student - Auburn University
Show design utilized around the potential students. After realizing that someone actually thinks about how a product is shaped, this profession "clicks" in people's minds. How do you appreciate a forest of products when your standing in the middle of it? Make them step back for a minute and see everything around them as design.
Jason - age 23
Industrial Design student. - Auburn University
Show design utilized around the potential students. After realizing that someone actually thinks about how a product is shaped, this profession "clicks" in people's minds. How do you appreciate a forest of products when your standing in the middle of it? Make them step back for a minute and see everything around them as design.
Jason - age 23
Industrial Design student. - Auburn University
I think that introducing Id in high school and letting people know
all the different things that an Industrial designer can do.
Andrew - age 21
Columbus College of art and design
Just think of it. Everything you touch is designed by someone! Whether it's the industrial design of the object itself or the design on it's surface.
Opportunities abound! Think how reawarding it is to create !
Judith Gorgone - decorative product design,development, illustration - Newton, MA USA
ID is such an unknown entity - as a graduate I find that most people
haven't a clue what an industrial designer actually is. Considering
that almost all consumer durables are designed by an industrial designer,
this ignorance about the subject never fails to amaze me!
Schools should introduce an awareness of design to pupils at as early
a stage as possible. Combine it with art, with science and with workshop
skills - show them how it ties in with so many elements of everyday life.
By making them aware of the impact the subject has on everything that
they see around them, by showing them what a difference good design can
have on the quality of life, and by showing them how varied the work can be -
surely they will be inspired to study ID.
Sam Read - age 23
Research Assistant and Mphil student studying product semantics in Design - Loughborough University, UK
I definetly think taking a tour of a design institution would spark the
interest of students. Corporations could play a role by visiting students.
Also, having a genuine interest in design is adefinite must.
Nadia Ghanny - student of psychology - toronto, ontario, canada
I think students who want to make things or be inventors
of sorts are the students who should be reached out to,
Artists in high school are always good candidates I think
simply because of their drawing or artistic skills they
have already learned. I know you can't exactly " recruit "
students into ID but if the information about ID was in the
schools, such as the ID magazine, that got me really interested,
or handouts about ID schools for councelors or the library to give out
then more students would think of ID as a course of study and job.
I am just happy that I am in the program now and was able to
learn about it from seeing ID magazine and asking about the program
at my college.
Bill - age 19
Begining Student in ID - Tempe, AZ
nothing will. well maybe something would
eric - age 26
The amazing job opportunities
and dating artists can definitely be interesting
Nicol Rodriguez - age 23
Student - University of Illinois/ Pharmacy
I think there needs to be more public exposure as to what exactly Industrial
Design IS. In high school, none of the aptitude tests I was given even
REMOTELY hinted at design...from early on I was interested in how things looked
and worked, but I wasn't aware that there were career opportunities in this
field. Perhaps a media blitz on teenage "hangouts" such as MTV are necessary -
audio products are shilled in markets such as this all the time, but they
could push the design angle. Of course, this doesn't mean simply saying, "Our
Walkman looks cool," but emphasizing useability features. The more kids learn
to appreciate design, the more they might seek out careers in ID.
Brian Pettett - age 27
Student - Industrial Design - Southern Illinois University
You guys are far too serious about ID,Just make fun and do what attracts YOU the most.
GET A LIFE, YOU IDIOTS !!!! the most interesting SHIT happens when people are making their own
personal stuff, instead of living up to the expectations of the industry. ID IS DEAD !
ID is art.
fearik baldheng - age 24
Student ID, AIVE Eindhoven - The netherlands
test
eric - age 26
work - nyc
Let students know that it is out there. ID is a lot of fun when you think about.Also, there are a lot of opppurtunities to do different things with a design degree.
maggie - age 22
student - U of Cincinnati
the fact that
one cOuld design a better product than there alReady is.
being able to coMe up with a desIgn that no oNe else has ever
thought of before,.... posSible an idea that would rEvolutioNize the world.
mAybe a couch that can conVince students to do
beTter... who kNows.
this is what thInk will attract
high sChool students...
This is wHAt atTracted mE.
wholeo - age 20
pre-I.D. student - Long Beach, CA
I would like to develop a high school curriculum that emphasizes the creative design process. I do this now to some extent using 3D CAD and also architecture. But I would like to include some sort of industrial/product design class that letstudnets be very creative and produce not only drawings but rrealistic models of their own designs, be it a camcorder or a dashboard. I need help in finding resources to develop this class, particulary in the model making part. Any info from all you experts in the field would be appreciated. Thanks
Kevin - teacher of drafting and design - Eureka, Montana
courses relevent to current production technologies that will enable them to design more freely due to a full knowlage of what it actually takes to get someting made tese days.
karl wasner - age 22, almost 23
i live with sturbek, fulltimejob - on steves 7100
I have a different question. As a senior in product design,
I'm currently looking for a job in the Washington DC area. I'm
having a lot of difficulty. Can anyone give me advice as to
where to look in that area of the country? Please contact me
at robertob < a t > leland.stanford.edu Thanks!!
Bobby - age 23
student in product design - Stanford University, CA
Industrial Design is a renaissance profession which allows individuals to work with their hands and heads in a variety of activities. It is a generalist profession where practitioners have to know a little about a lot of things and have the flexibility to work in varied relationships and environments. Plus, anyone who says you can't make money at it haven't tried hard enough.
Tom - age 44 1/2
designer/educator - at home
i don't think students should be attracted to ID -
there are too many of them out there already!!
andy - age 38
industrial design - europe
A comment I heard recently attributed to Richard Seymore of Semour Powell design consultants, London, Engalnd:
"the world of design replicates itself each year" i.e. the number of graduates = the number of people working
Is this true? Are there lots of ID jobs in the USA
Paul - age 34
Designer, Educator - Loughborough, England
I have no idea what other people are interested in. I am interested in car design.
Ron - age 18
I am in the I.D. program - Syracuse university
I think that essentially most kids lately grow up thinking that they
are primarily consumers of information and entertainment. One aspect of
Design is that it allows you to become producer of information,
not just a consumer. Giving students real opportunities to produce
real things ought to provide direct access to what makes us love design.
We love to make things. Maybe in the not to distant future professional
apprenticeships will come back into favor in the U.S. I know they do
that sort of thing in Germany. It sounds good to me.
McKay Duncan - age 29
Designer - NYC
You just can't go into schools and "recruit interns".
A. Nobody cares about ID
1. show how it relates to what kids are interested in
a. High top basketball shoes, cars etc.
2. Science (technology) as well as art are big factors
3. But all subjects matter
4. A well rounded student can make a good designer.
B. The challenge
1. what they don't teach in schools
a. independence
b. creativity
c. insight
d. observation
A good way to get kids interested is to approach those students who express an aptitude
for art. That usually the gate way. Take them to a park and have them work
together to create a shelter from stuff laying around. A good
designer will learn to improvise and use his creativity to
solve problems. This is the kinda mindset that designers should
have. Everyone else can benefit from the lessons of design.
We are not trying to perpetuate the species, or survive as a planet.
We are simply trying to keep plodding on, and we'd like to think that this
plodding is a little more directed than the centuries previous.
jamal houghton - age 28
unemployed - nyc
Designers, in order to help perpetuate our species, should make a point to give
something back to the community in which we work. An ideal way to do this is to
go to the high schools, recruit interns, talk with students at career days or
college fair days, assemblies, etc., teach a class at local high schools or
community colleges that allow high school students to attend, and do recruitment
at the high school level.
There are a lot of young people who think that the "real world" doesn't concern
them and is too far away (they are content to flip burgers). Many feel unqualified
to persue their own futures. As designers, we owe it to ourselves and to prepare
the future of our profession, and what better way than to help a kid?
Robq - age 29
Masters Candidate SFSU, Web designer - San Francisco, CA
Why, not why but when? Do it know!! Industrial Design extends beyond
the product, indeed Industrial design is one of the few disciplines that
requires a multi disciplinary attitude. I believe that this makes
designers flexible, allowing them to specialise in any area from pure
product design through to project management. Industrial Design is an
influential profession: the opportunity to influence manufacturers as
well as senior executive management. The future is about vision, challenge
and creative solutions to global issues. As an Industrial designer YOU can
be instumental in generating a change in attitudes by actively designing
environmentally sustainable products. Globally we are faced with the
ultimate design challenge, survival! Designers have the skills and ability
to make significant contribution to ensure an environmentally sustainable
future. Think broadly about your abilities, the employment opportunities
for designers exist in many areas and industries such as: design research,
materials and technology research, LCA, design for disassembly etc.. It is
up to the individual to create their own opportunities - Industrial design
will provide the ideal multi-disciplinary base form which you can develop.
Deanne - age 28
I.D Researcher - Melbourne, Australia
Exposure to current independent designers. In this computer age students should be encouraged to rediscover legends like Raymond Loewy, and modernists like Syd Mead. They should understand that ID is NOT engineering and is indeed sheer creativity. Students should also know about EQUITY in regards to their designs and ideas. If their gonna work for a corporation, they shouldnÍt be afraid to ask for their fair share of the profits. The future belongs to the designer.
Benier Koranache -
Why would anyone want to study Industrial Design? A good question. Why would someone WILLINGLY enter a field with almost no possibility for financial return, a field where your designs are ultimately compromised in order to push a project through committee approval and where you get little, if any credit, ever? I don't know why. It must be some kind of masochistic desire hidden deep within creative types.
James - age 29
designer - Cleveland, Ohio
The most important area to study will be human/computer interface. As computers are now found in every manufactured item this area has expanded far beyond what it used to include. Form is secondary to technological function for the most part so it makes sense to focus on this area. Courses in computer science and system design should be required. Some basic art training would be nice but its not necessary.
Michael - age 34
Manufacturing Engineer - Bakersfield, California
Materials technology is going to be important for designers in the future, even more important than now. Ecological considerations and recyclability will dramatically shape the future of design. A science background is a must for all new designers. Nevertheless design is a fascinating and exciting field and we should all hope that there are plenty of new designers every year. We can't have enough!
Lillian - age 28
Product Designer - Chicago
