not to vary from the subject too much, but that right there says it all....... do what you want to do, whatever makes you happy....and that applies to every field.
If you're looking for inspiration, try any of the great books about Raymond Loewy designs. The guy designed cars (Studebaker, Hupmobile, etc.), trains, planes, boats, commercial logos, home furnishings - the list is endless and varied. Also - many folks have mentioned the great Machinery Handbook, but don't forget "The Pocket Ref", a quickie reference guide that makes a good companion on the bookshelf.
I am also looking into going to school for I.D. I live in Seattle and the Art Ins***ute here only offers an ***ociates degree in it. Is it worth it to get an ***ociates, or should I search for a bachelors? Would it be best to get 2 ***ociates degrees, one in ID, and the other in Mechanical engineering. I'm kinda in the same boat in that I would be happy doing doorknobs to car parts
I'm an ID student at Academy of art in S.F. Be prepared for lots of homework and no free time. It is a VERY full time schedule and lots of work. If things like problem solving, mechincal engineering, drawing, computer design, drafting and sculpting aren't your thing then find another major becuase that is all Industrial design is and its non stop. Also dont plan on having a job while going to school, the end results will kick your ***. On that note I wouldnt change my major for anything on earth, its an awsome thing to study so far and a great chance to learn ALOT of very kool stuff. Good luck.
the last part of this really hits the nail on the head.....very good advice as for excercises for drawing, i would suggest drawing exploded views of anything and everything. It works on your perspective and also helps you learn how products go together and helps you develope a good sense of layout.
WWU in Bellingham has a program. One of my best friends graduated there and is doing very well. He is currently working for HP and spends half his time in Asia on projects.
This discussion reminds me of something that I had forgotten: virtually no two industrial designers agree on what it is that they do, or what are the essential skills to practice the profession. A first-rate industrial designer may be skilled in illustration, drafting, modelmaking, photography, human factors, color theory, and a knowledge of materials and manufacturing methods. He's even better if he can fabricate and weld, paint, calculate stresses, and recite the names of famous designers. Of course, having all these skills would make a more capable mailman or insurance salesman, too. More to the point, all of these disciplines have their own spe******ts -- that is, there are photographers and model makers and engineers who do nothing else. In the final ****ysis, the only thing that the industrial designer does that is his specialty -- the one thing that no other spe******t does -- is styling. He is an expert in determining how a manufactured product will look. It doesn't matter whether he defines it with marker rendering, or a multi-view engineering drawing, a 3D model, or builds the real thing. It's how the thing looks that is the real contribution of the designer. By the way, I've never met another designer who has heard my point of view who has said "Yeah! That's it exactly!"
Lots of good advice and a variety of opinions. For whatever it is worth, here is another opinion..... Take the time and visit the student gallery work at Art Center and CCS, you will be very inspired or intimidated depending on where you are with your current skill sets, either way it will be worth the airfare to understand where the current 'state of the art' is in the graduating cl***es. I reviewed the recent graduating Trans cl*** at Art Center a couple of weeks back. They were an impressive bunch and a huge cl***. This one was 18, which is considered very large. The compe***ion is intense, but in the end it is really worthwhile. Besides the obvious things such honing your drawing skills, one thing that really was not mentioned is that these ID programs will teach you a completely different way of rendering, because 2D communication is completely different than the fine arts and graphics techniques taught in non ID schools. So even if you can not draw/render transparent materials, chrome and candy paint, the techniques & guidance will be provided by working professionals. Other suggestions and tips, subscirbe to Car Styling (available through Kaneko enterprises) and Auto and Design. I do not agree with the negative comment about Car Designers, that is over generalizing. I believe this is an old school way of thinking, and I admit, it still exists today in one form or another however, the role and responsibilites of a designer has evolved. There is a difference between a 'Stylist' and a true 'Industrial Designer' A real good Industrial Designer can create a design and provide technical solutions of how it can be achieved. It may not be completely 'feased out' but a solid technical solution is what is expected. A responsible Industiral Designer that can create great styled surfaces and technical solutions are what the O.E's are looking for. If the designer is only interested in creating pretty pictures without caring or taking the time to work out the details, the opportunities become limited because someone is ginig to have to build it sooner or later. Just another opinion
something that really intimidates me is the skill of others somthing you touched on. I dont think I will ever be as good as some of the others i have seen which may be a negative at***ud on my part but if I am not the best how does that influence job placement?
its really up to you. in terms of job placement, its just as much who you know as what you know. ive seen some real nimrods carry ***les that should go to the quiet nerd in the corner, just because they are friends with Joe Soandso. my advice, stay away from politics. check your ego at the door but retain conifidence in the work you do, work hard and respect your trench mates.. because in the end, your peers are the ones that will help you get the next gig.
Don't under estimate your potential Von.. you never know how great training will guide you. But the at***ude really has to be positive. It is not always who you know either, it depends on what type of company you go to. Maybe I am just overly optimistic, but I believe if a person is an ***, and continues to act like one, sooner or later it catches up to them. The Automotive Design community is relatively small in the grand scheme of things. The one good thing about being a trans major, you can go into product design, or other transportation related industries such as boats, motorcycles, commercial vehicles, tractors and so on. If the ultimate car design job does not rise to the occasion, there are other creative outlets. One last other reality check, the schools are not cheap, but nothing good ever is. Last time I checked, I think the tuition at ACCD is around $13K/trimester, it takes 8 terms to graduate. You can do the math, fortunately, scholarships are sponsored from a number of the major OEM's so that helps out. Of course there are several other schools that offer Industrial Design, just not as many with the Automotive Design specialty. For what ever it is worth, I would be happy to talk to you more off line. Send me a PM if you want. I will send you my e-mail address since I not on the HAMB too often these days.
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