I think it’s great that the profession is receiving more press and hopefully more respect. Granted, many design schools are working hard to be accredited by IDSA and that’s great for setting standards. But should it be made even tougher as only about 20% of new grads even find a job in the industry?
Law school has the BAR, medical school is ridiculously hard, interior design has a test, etc. Why doesn’t industrial design (through IDSA) have something similar? This would limit the amount of people that have the proper credentials to be industrial designers, thus pushing our salariesa and worth higher.
…industrial designers do not usually deal directly with nor hire out directly to john or jane q public who might be duped by posers…physicians, lawyers and interior designers do…idsa membership at one time required member sponsorship and a portfolio review…i will hazard a guess that this was dropped for finacial reasons (more members)…that and most employers do not give a rats ass about idsa…if less than 20% of id grads ever practice in the profession, i would say landing a job is an effective filter…nasad accredits schools last i heard, not idsa unless this is something new.
I believe that IDSA has been considering a system similar to the Canadian system of creating the designation of “professional industrial designer”
Here’s how it works:
There are various levels of membership for the varying provincial organizations. To put BCID (stands for British Columbia Industrial Designers Assoc) after your name (same as listing your IDSA affiliation) you have to have a “Professional Membership”. If you are a “regular member” you aren’t allowed to do this.
To be recognized as having a professional membership you need to have:
A degree in ID from a recognized school
at least 3 years experience after graduating.
and 3) Have your portfolio reviewed by existing professional members to ensure you have the experience/body of work.
I believe the plan in Canada is to eventually get Industrial Designer recognized as a “chartered” position similar to Professional Engineer, Chartered Accountant, Stamped Architect etc.
just curious, but dont some of you think that having an “exam” is limiting the profession and in turn limiting what it means (or perhaps can potentially mean) to be a designer?
I think the beauty of design lies in it’s ability to be used in so many various ways.
For example, accredited architects. In general architecture is pretty easily defined. The basic historical premise is that architects design buildings and spaces, right? I am not completely ignorant to the profession and think that’s what every job consists of in the feild, however thats what their “exam” seems to be directed towards.
So when it comes to ID, I agree with BryanBrutherford’s link…WHAT THE HELL WOULD BE ON THE EXAM?
Who is going to decide what industrial designers do? Right now it seems like the designers themselves (in theory) can decide how they want to apply their skills, and I see absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Having a test so you can pass and put some extra letters behind your name so it’s easier for you to get a job doesnt seem so exciting, or realistic for that matter.
Something really needs to be done to ensure a minimum standard for design. With the number of hacks I see it’s no surprise that ID doesn’t get the respect it deserves. Too bad schools would rather keep their enrollment numbers high instead of their quality.
You can’t depend on Universities to weed out the bad students. They have a vested interest in graduating as many students as they can because the schools rely on their tuition fees.
In keeping with the previous “Canadian exampleâ€
A Prime example of this Emily Carr Institute in Vancouver. 10 years ago the program really challenged students and as a result had an attrition rate of 50% each year. In second year you would have 16 students - by 3rd it would be down to 8. In 1996 ECI only graduated 4 students. (all working as successful designers)
Forward to 2006… there are 30 students in 2nd year, 30 in 3rd, and 30 in 4th. This is because in order to run the program the school needs the tuition and needs to keep its students happy otherwise they will drop out like in 1996. Only the top 2 or 3 of these students are likely to get jobs and the bottom 4 or 5 have no business being in 4th year.
In the defense of schools with situations like ECI - How can they really be expected to foot the bill for a 4th year class of only 4 or 5 deserving students? It’s not realistic.
As a result - I think it is the responsibility of the design professionals (IDSA) to regulate the profession and weed out the bad eggs.
Accreditation is fine if you actually think it will help the situation. I am not sure design professionals will care - I wouldn’t hire an “accredited” individual with less skill or personality than someone who has those characteristics.
The profession will remain the same. The accredited individuals may not even be the best designers- just the ones who have the time to jump through the hoops. I know that my company wouldn’t postpone an overseas trip to make sure production runs smooth or hold off on a project so I could take the time to get “accredited.” I have a feeling many professionals are in the same boat as me- it would just be another hassle in my busy week taking away from my free time.
This being said…
It isn’t that I do not agree with you that it may change something if it were done right. It would have to be brought on slow… with a speedy “approval process.” It would have to be a portfolio review. (you are kidding yourself if you think I’m going to fill in any bubbles) The review would have to be very informal- i.e. a portfolio-esque website and or/ phone call would be sufficient.
Industrial Design isn’t law, medicine, or real estate. It’s much more ambiguous and subsequently, there is a lot of error. That is what we do- solve problems… and create them. Judging who can practice this is subjective and will be hard to distinguish.
Architects, doctors, and structural engineers are required to be certified because their clients or members of the general public can die if they fuck up. Lawyers are required to be certified because their clients can go to jail, be executed, or lose all their money if they fuck up.
What’s the worst that can happen if an industrial designer fucks up? Someone has to use a product that doesn’t work right or looks ugly? Happens every day already.
A more important question would be why the hell do interior decorators need certification? Do people die because the curtains don’t match?
Accreditation is fine if you actually think it will help the situation. I am not sure design professionals will care - I wouldn’t hire an “accredited” individual with less skill or personality than someone who has those characteristics.
The profession will remain the same. The accredited individuals may not even be the best designers- just the ones who have the time to jump through the hoops. I know that my company wouldn’t postpone an overseas trip to make sure production runs smooth or hold off on a project so I could take the time to get “accredited.” I have a feeling many professionals are in the same boat as me- it would just be another hassle in my busy week taking away from my free time.
This being said…
It isn’t that I do not agree with you that it may change something if it were done right. It would have to be brought on slow… with a speedy “approval process.” It would have to be a portfolio review. (you are kidding yourself if you think I’m going to fill in any bubbles) The review would have to be very informal- i.e. a portfolio-esque website and or/ phone call would be sufficient.
Industrial Design isn’t law, medicine, or real estate. It’s much more ambiguous and subsequently, there is a lot of error. That is what we do- solve problems… and create them. Judging who can practice this is subjective and will be hard to distinguish.
I’m curious (not being snide here) - can someone point out how accreditation will solve the issue of ID practitioners needing greater pay, more plentiful jobs, and clearer understanding of value by companies?
If it lends an air of “professionalism” to the field, and thins out the herd, it might just be worth it. If all it does is add further complexity, time and money expenditure to an already cash strapped and sleep deprived field, then the point is lost.
What ID needs is a professional marketing face - an organization who markets the merits of the field to companies forcefully. Advertising in trade magazines that hiring managers use; political clout; solid placement and internship programs; a common voice that tells the world what the living hell it is we do and why anyone should care; accountability for companies that underpay and abuse interns and new graduates; and a STANDARDIZED pay scale that hiring managers expect and come to accept.
Personally, I’m sick of being seen as a glorified art student, and being pushed into business management or CAD jockeying to make a decent living. It’s not the fault of the hiring managers or companies, it’s ours. These companies have no idea what value we bring to the table.
Accreditation may be a step in the right direction… I’m open to hearing why.
having “IDSA” after my name on a business card doesn’t mean crap to me. i am judged by the work i have previously done, by my character, my articulate speech, or by reference.
supply and demand dictates those who work (and a damn good portfolio) and teh wages they make.
i don’t see engineers who are obsessed about this stuff in their profession. in fact, when you run across an engineer who isn’t upto snuff, it’s glaringly apparent almost immediately. i think the same applies for an industrial designer.
on a side note, if i WERE to care about letters following my name, make mine BAMF. BAD ASS MOTHER FUCKER.
my main problem with design right now is that it has branched out to so many fields so fast that nobody knows what ID is.
i also see many folios which try to cover everything under one cover and most of the time it works against the dresigner ( like an amatuer or a student who wants to show different capabilities). those who try pulling it off mostly have managed to emphasize on the overall style but we all know in reality things don’t work that way. even for designers like colani or stark who try to do different things but keep the style.
i think the issue is the way american education looks at design. they still think it’s more like art. not even architecture. it’s different in northern europe though perhaps even in france or italy where they have a longer history of art and design which has made them understand the difference between the two better. it’s also different in asia.
adding to the problem, in US designers try to outpace engineers and engineering has become the anti-thesis for good design while in europe you find designers trying to outsmart engineers and figure out better solutions to everyday problems. in asia designers learn from engineers because they need to use minimal resources and don’t have the luxury to waste budgets.
although designers live in different situation they would all agree that it’s branching out.
overall, however, it’s up to designers to enhance the quality of their environment whether it is US, europe, or asia. i don’t think non-designers can understand the issue.
it’s not a question of big or small. rather qualified or not qualified.
anyway i think those designers pay the price who care less about the profession when it comes to distinguishing between coherence and transparency.
take your pick but atleast don’t change your attitude from one job to another like a salamander. i have seen designers do that and i have no respect for them.
A test to weed out bad designers? Get real. Designers are judged by the skills they possess and their past work. I do not have a “degree” as I left school early to begin my career. I do have another degree in business but I would guess that is unimportant to any certification hack who can figure out why they are not working.
In addition: If being a membership in the Idsa or whatever, identifies greatness, will the ranks be evaluated and those who don’t fit eliminated?[/u]