As a practicing industrial designer, I am considering a degree in engineering. Which of the two (Industrial Engineering & Manufacturing Engineering) is more closely related to actual product design? from my understanding, Industrial Engineers deal mostly with processes rather than the actual design of goods. I hope someone can help me clarify…
Honestly neither.
I studied manufacturing engineering for two years before switching over to industrial design and finishing my degree. Both deal rather closely with plant operations, processes, and work flow. If you want to design a production line look at manufacturing engineering. I have old room-mates/ classmates who are working for Sub-Zero and Trek, both like their jobs, but neither have anything to do with the design process. I would look more closely at MECHANICAL ENGINEERING. I think it would be much more applicable to what you describe as you interests/ intent. That is not to say that you won’t gain a wealth of knowledge about many manufacturing processes from the two degrees you mentioned, but it’s really not in line with what you want to do.
Honestly neither.
I studied manufacturing engineering for two years before switching over to industrial design and finishing my degree. Both deal rather closely with plant operations, processes, and work flow. If you want to design a production line look at manufacturing engineering. I have old room-mates/ classmates who are working for Sub-Zero and Trek, both like their jobs, but neither have anything to do with the design process. I would look more closely at MECHANICAL ENGINEERING. I think it would be much more applicable to what you describe as you interests/ intent. That is not to say that you won’t gain a wealth of knowledge about many manufacturing processes from the two degrees you mentioned, but it’s really not in line with what you want to do.
If you really are a tinkerer type of person and do not care if you get a fancy title, then manufacturing engineering can be a great thing. If you go MFG you will have a much better understanding of methods of production and using materials properly. You can skip the process classes and fill it with machining or moldmaking or metallurgy classes. Usually there is enough breadth in the core electives that some really interesting methods classes can keep the boaring production classes out of the way.
There are only two caveats. Do not be surprised if you need more classes at a community college right after you have finished the degree. Much of a manufacturing degree is filled with Theory. There are not really any prototype making classes, SLA classes or practical hands on classes. The CNC classes are only helpful in the manufacturing degree so that you can speak to shop floor guys without looking like a tool. Most CNC is still best taught at a Community college.
The other caveat is that Creativity is not taught or pushed in the ID type direction. A MFG degree even if design is the specialty really is closer tied to using calculus creatively to solve a problem. For example, Calculate ho many times you can open and close a motorola Razor before the hinge breaks.
There are several discussions about too many people in ID and that it is competitive. ALL Industries are getting tougher right now, not just ID.
If anything, it might be the best time to get a MFG degree since most of that knowledge is leaving the marketplace via retirement. Ten years ago you needed to have ISO9000 experience, now anybody that can program a CNC is offered $45,000 starting. Thats with only two years of Community College under the belt.
If you really are a tinkerer type of person and do not care if you get a fancy title, then manufacturing engineering can be a great thing. If you go MFG you will have a much better understanding of methods of production and using materials properly. You can skip the process classes and fill it with machining or moldmaking or metallurgy classes. Usually there is enough breadth in the core electives that some really interesting methods classes can keep the boaring production classes out of the way.
There are only two caveats. Do not be surprised if you need more classes at a community college right after you have finished the degree. Much of a manufacturing degree is filled with Theory. There are not really any prototype making classes, SLA classes or practical hands on classes. The CNC classes are only helpful in the manufacturing degree so that you can speak to shop floor guys without looking like a tool. Most CNC is still best taught at a Community college.
The other caveat is that Creativity is not taught or pushed in the ID type direction. A MFG degree even if design is the specialty really is closer tied to using calculus creatively to solve a problem. For example, Calculate ho many times you can open and close a motorola Razor before the hinge breaks.
There are several discussions about too many people in ID and that it is competitive. ALL Industries are getting tougher right now, not just ID.
If anything, it might be the best time to get a MFG degree since most of that knowledge is leaving the marketplace via retirement. Ten years ago you needed to have ISO9000 experience, now anybody that can program a CNC is offered $45,000 starting. Thats with only two years of Community College under the belt.