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Self Marketing
A bunch of stuff you may find useful in job hunting and marketing ideas you have
Portfolio
Your portfolio should include the following as outlined by the IDSA:
1. Thesis: (if graduate student), Resume (graduate and undergraduate)
2. Three Dimensional Design Photographic record of 3-D model (series of models of the design and development of the product.
3. Drawing Original drawings of an original product. Can also include presentation of various drawing techniques, such as product rendering, life drawings, color studies (if they express a drawing technique).
4. Color and Light Should include original color studies. May also be a collection of slides demonstrating studentÍs understanding of the use of light and color.
5. Basic Physics and Mechanics Mechanical drawings, Photos of a model of a mechanism.
6. Representational Techniques Renderings of Products
7. Mechanical Drawing Original working drawings of a product. Can be xeroxes of original drawings.
8. Ergonomics and Human Factors Should include an ergonomic study and the written research on the project.
9. Oral and Written communication Statement of a problem in a clear, concise way e.g. a product or thesis proposal. Can also include original, critical writing. (From special project, The Magazine is the Message, Critical Writing.)
10. Graphics/ Computer Graphics Original graphic work, including mechanicals, showing the process by which the final graphics were developed.
11. Product Methods/Materials Using slides of products, demonstrate knowledge of basic materials. Can include plastics, metals, glass, earth, paper, wood, fabric, etc.
12. Programming a Product Demonstration of how a program for the development of a product is created, from RFP (Request for Proposal) response to finished product, outlining the various steps involved.
13. Process Drawings A collection of gesture drawings (demonstrating how you think). For example, cocktail napkin drawings, noodle doodle sketches, etc.
14. Internship Work
15. Other This can include oddball stuff, anything funky or beautiful, such as jewelry.
Resumes
Might include the following:
A. A brief account of personal, educational and professional qualifications and experience.
B. Narrative Biography (Not necessarily to be included when sending resume).
C. Statement of personal design philosophy and explanation of why you want to be and industrial designer.
D. Slides - 20. Should include examples of above portfolio requirements.
Competitions
A great way to win some fame and fortune is to enter your designs in design competitions. If you win, you look good; if you look good your school looks good which will also reflect back to you.
Two annual competitions which should be noted are the ID magazine design awards and the IDSA Industrial Design Excellence Awards, IDEA. Winners for IDSA & IDEA are published in a June Issue of Business Week magazine. Deadlines for both competitions are in January or February. Contact ID magazine and IDSA - National as early as possible for their respective entry kits.
Other pertinent information:
1. Send your resume (with a cover letter) to a person, not a title or a corporation.
2. Follow-up one week later.
3. Follow-up phone call to individual to whom you sent letters, one week after follow-up letter.
On Your Own
If you are planning on doing business on your own this Policy Agreement might help you avoid possible conflicts in dealing with clients. We make no claims to its effectiveness of course.
Protecting and Selling Your Ideas.
Every designer comes up with ideas and products which they think are worthy of protecting and taking to market. Here are a few tips on how to do it while keeping your ideas safe.
Confidentiality Agreement
When submitting your idea to industry you should try to protect yourself with a Confidentiality Agreement-- A simple agreement that states that the people you are showing your concept to won't steal it outright. A lot of companies have their own policies on this matter and sometimes you have to play by their rules. This Sample Confidentiality Agreement is just here as an example of what one looks like. You can print it out and use it but we make no claims to its strength in court.
Design and Mechanical Patents
In a nutshell, designs cannot be copyrighted, but they can be patented. Mechanical patents can also be obtained. Most patent laws apply across international borders but there are some significant differences between the U.S.'s and other countries' application processes so do your research before starting the patent process.
We decided to not list any patent attorneys here because we believe that a person can save themselves alot of money by doing the preliminary analysis of marketability and patentablility on their own. Seek legal counsel only when you know that your idea is going to net you more than the $6000 - $15,000 (minimum) it will cost you to get a patent.
First look at the site for Intellectual Property Rights. It is specifically for designer types and gives you a solid basis to analyze your patent from. It can really help you make the decision of whether or not to patent.
Then learn more about the fees associated with patents, who the trustworthy patent attorneys are and how to conduct online searches for patents at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's WWW site.
Alternatively, you could go directly to a patent search site from here:
Source Translation & Optimization
Good luck with your idea!
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