anyone knows about I.D in Stanford?

Design Discussions students and schools
1

since i’ve found below info from other topic,
now i’m curious about what makes Stanford that outstanding in I.D field.
does anyone knows about them? i would like to hear some info.

thanks.


According to DesignIntelligence

2007 Best Architecture & Design Schools
Industrial Design - Undergraduate

  1. Art Center College of Design
  2. University of Cincinnati
  3. Rhode Island School of Design
  4. (Tie) Carnegie Mellon University
  5. (Tie) Pratt Institute
  6. Auburn University

Industrial Design - Graduate

  1. Art Center College of Design
  2. Stanford University
  3. (Tie) Auburn University
  4. (Tie) University of Cincinnati
  5. Illinois Institute of Technology
2

I am not a student of Stanford’s product design program but I know quite a bit about it from working with designers who graduated from there and also because I attend a competing Bay Area ID school. First of all, Stanford doesn’t really offer Industrial Design. They call their program Product Design. This is because Stanford’s program doesn’t really teach the traditional skills and qualities of ID. They hardly teach any sketching, modelmaking, CAD, or aesthetics. Their program focuses more on theory and engineering. Stanford students are required to take engineering classes and working prototypes are typical deliverables - not appearance models. I’ve heard that their classes on needfinding and problem solving are also strong. Overall, Stanford’s design program is much different than any of the other schools on that list. If you want to learn to sketch beautifully and make really nice presentations then do not go there. In fact, I have heard from Stanford grads that most graduates have a difficult time finding jobs in ID because of there lack of skills. Instead most find jobs in product engineering or research. If thats what you like then go for it. If not then look into the other schools on that list. An instructor once told me the best education you can get is a degree from Art Center and a degree from Stanford. Maybe that’s why it’s on the list for Master’s.

3

But at a graduate level program you are expected to have the competent “design” skills in place.

So their focus on the more functional application of design principles and theories…need finding and works like prototyping is what makes them #2 on the list.

Grad programs are intended to take you to the next level of abilities. That is why different programs focus on different outcomes. Entrepreneurship, design management, manufacturing technologies, design research, User interaction, etc.

4

what is the link to Industrial Design at Standford university… been googling it. dont think i am getting the right link. Thanx