Industrial Design Schools: Opinions and Questions

PJ, I don’t think that is a change. In a 20 years since I’ve been an industrial designers, those that could design and understand he basics of mechanics and empathize with users have always been the most valued. And the same in engineering, those who can understand more than the pure mechanical and manufacturing problems have more value to organizations. In both cases, those who can understand the entire scope of the problems at hand and work toward solutions that satisfy the principles of each discipline typical get promoted into leadership.

That doesn’t mean I would recommend going to engineering first. In this case, if this student knows she wants to go into ID, jump in with both feet. Personally I went the art school rout and I think the emphasis on abstract thinking and creative problem solving has helped me as I’ve become a leader.

Totally agree, Michael!

I hope what I said didn’t get misunderstood. I was recommending if the student wasn’t 100% sure what they wanted to study it would be easier to switch from one to the other (or take some classes in both fields) at a university that offered both. I witnessed many many students change their majors once they jump in and their eyes are opened.

Hi Teresa,
So what does your daughter like about product design? What kind of projects would she like to work on?
Industrial Engineering is completely different than Industrial Design. I would not like to think of Engineering as a foundation for another career. Also, would she be willing to spend another 2-4 years after Engineering to study product design?
Having a full ride for Engineering makes it a tough choice. I would recommend visiting or talking to counselors at 3 of the design schools you mentioned to learn more about it and really understand their programs and focus. You didn’t mention Art Center in Pasadena which is another top school.
Stanford has a great Engineering program + a product design program. The design program might be more theoretical but it might be a good compromise.
Good luck.

Assuming Teresa means Industrial Design and not Industrial Engineering, one other thing should be mentioned.

The end game for this education is working in new product development (NPD) and it should be said that either major can get you into NPD. As a matter of fact, most any major can get you into NPD, see ideo as an example.

Obviously a particular major will its own skillset and a person should pick the one that is best for them. But when school is “over”, a person will pick up the other NPD skillsets in their career. All a major gets you is a particular foot in a particular door.

That said, I am excellent with numbers/math and excelled as an engineering major. Which significantly increased my parent’s consternation when I switched and struggled as a fine art major in ID.

Thank you all for taking the time to respond. She did get in UC today but I don’t think they will give her as much aid as some of the others. I am hoping to be surprised. I was really pushing for RISD, mainly because it is smaller, less crime and you know I’m the mother. But like you all said, she wants a strong foundation and an understanding of the science as well as the art and isn’t drawn to “an art school.” Of course, that may change when she visits. “So what does your daughter like about product design? What kind of projects would she like to work on?” That is a great question, FHI3. She loves art and Physics. She tells me design is the art of understanding. She loves to break things down and rebuild them to be better. I believe she has a designer’s mind. She takes a concept and dissects it and creates pages and pages of ideas. She can code and spent the summer at Smith building a boom box that responds to colors with music. She likes tech but doesn’t want to always be at a computer. Honestly, I think she could do lots of things but I think being a Product Designer would make her truly happy. And isn’t that what we all want for our kid?

Haven’t posted on here before but I have came up on a recent issue and need some advice.

I am a Design Studies student at NC State Universities College of Design and will graduate May of 2017. My Dilemma if you will is… Do I try to go to graduate school at NC State or somewhere else? I’d like to stay in State because of tuition costs BUT the only other school is Appalachian State and they don’t have a graduate program for ID, nor is the area that the school in very good for internship opportunities. Here in Raleigh, there are many firms I could get an ID internship… if they would ever email me back. I am on the cusp with one but thats a different subject.

M. Ditullo’s suggestion was to go somewhere else instead of the same school that I got my undergrad in. He also told me to check some of the bars out so I wanted to do that by reaching out on this one.

So, again, what are your thoughts on going to the same school that you got your undergraduate in for your graduate degree? Any other pieces of advice for an aspiring industrial designer who is also interested in furniture are welcome too.

Jacob,

What are your reasons for choosing a Masters instead of work experience?

Well, I haven’t chosen it yet. BUT, as a design studies major, I think it will be hard for me to get internships because I won’t be “trained” in industrial design. I am going to study abroad in Prague this May taking a furniture design class and a transportation design class so, upon completion of that class I could have a couple portfolio pieces. I have also been working on a couple things myself but I feel like it’s going to be very hard for me to find someone who would be willing to give me a shot.

Right now I am speaking with a company called “Forma Medical Device Design” and it sounds like I will be doing a lot of things other than Industrial Design, which I am okay with but I am also nervous that these other things will take over and I won’t do but the slightest amount of Industrial Design.

Jacob, I didn’t realize you had a design studies major, I figured it was something else.

What is a design studies major?

I just copied and pasted what NCSU has on their site for it. They do a much better job at explaining it of course:

The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Design Studies is a non-studio, liberal arts program that provides an interdisciplinary orientation to the history and theory of the design disciplines, material culture and design thinking. Design Studies focuses on the properties of objects and environments as reflections of the social, historical, technological and physical contexts in which they are produced. It presents the formative role of design in shaping human values and experiences. This major is for students whose interests and talents in design are more general, cross-disciplinary, and span the five disciplines offered in the College of Design. Source: http://majorsandcareers.ncsu.edu/major/design-studies

Essentially, I feel as if I am getting broad spectrum of design information and a lot of theory which gives me a different point of view on design, in a positive way. I feel as if I approach problems differently than most designers in the sense that I am learning about culture and contexts and how these things are incorporated. I’m almost thankful that I was not accepted into Industrial design because I am getting this broad view before I narrow my view.

Interesting. I’d still just transfer to the ID program though :slight_smile:

Haha, I get that. The only thing about doing that is, I would have to take the summer studio and this summer I am in Prague studying abroad. And the date to apply for transfer has already gone past. Do you see the predicament now? :frowning:

Hi Teresa,
Just make sure she understands that Industrial/Product Design is completely different than Engineering. As a designer she will spend most of her time in front of the computer except she will be doing research, sketching and 3D CAD modeling and Rendering. Over simplifying the career, she will be in charge of driving the aesthetic direction of the products.

Jacob,
A masters in ID will not provide you the necessary foundation training and education of a Bachelors in ID. It is a common misconception and some students think of it as a shortcut to getting an ID job.

If you are looking for an ID job the employer will be looking at your portfolio first and your education/degree last; unless you are applying for more of a theoretical design position.

I brought that up and I was told I will be a track 3 graduate student. This means that you have no degree pertaining to Industrial Design. It isn’t a shortcut because you will essentially be a Sophomore to Junior level design student but all of your classes will pertain to your graduate degree. So, the foundations and training will be in the track that I would be taking because it is geared toward someone who is supposedly new to design.

Looking for some suggestions and advice:

Got admitted into UC Industrial Design - Art, painting and new product design is my passion.
Also got admitted into 3 of the Direct Entry 7 year Medical Program (3+4) and Undergraduate Business program of a top tier business school

My heart is saying to join UC Industrial Design. However, not very knowledgeable about the career prospects of a product designer.

Any suggestions from the people who are in the trenches will be appreciated

Design, medicine, and business are quite different fields.

If your heart is in it for the money and the long term financial gains, then medicine and business certainly come out ahead (once you factor in paying off 7 years of med school debt).

But if you are passionate about design there are plenty of designers who have made great long term careers out of design and while we’ll never hit the same tax bracket as the folks on Wall St. it’s an extremely engaging, hands on and fun career path. The reason most of us spent our childhoods building stuff is because we love building stuff, design lets you do that and make enough money to have a good life.

There are a lot of branches that you can take an ID degree. My friends and former classmates have done everything from graphic design, web design, product design, User Experience, teaching, though some just shifted out of the field entirely.

Can you elaborate more about your question regarding Career Prospects? What are your concerns? What do you think you’ll be doing?

by Career Prospects, I mean

What is % of UC DAAP ID graduates are employed within 3 months of graduation and what is the average salary
What kind of demand the graduates have in employment market
% Growth in next 5 or 10 years
Average Salary of graduates who has 5 to 10 years experience and > 10 years Experience
Drop out rate within DAAP ID and Post graduation (Change of career)

Contact UC DAAP ID for their specific numbers. Talk to their department teachers/counselors to get a more first hand experience answer.
There are more graduates than demand I would say. Very competitive market. You also have people applying from different states, countries and industries.
Some general salary numbers. Industrial Designer Salary | PayScale - Salary will depend greatly on size of company and location. Consultancy vs Coorporate, etc.
It’s a very competitive field. I’m afraid you won’t like the percentages of people that actually work in ID after graduation.

You can look at the core77 salary survey as well: Creative Employment Snapshot