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How to Become an Industrial Designer (When you’re also a Mechanical Engineer)
I want to become an inventor when I grow up!
(Click here for a list of my favorite design tools!)
I made this conclusion as early as I can remember. From age 5, my sketchbooks were filled with every wacky gadget, from multifunctional antenna laden brick phones to super top secret spy vehicles (so embarrassing). Many years later I found myself stuck and wondering: How on earth do I turn this into a career? Is “inventor” even a job title?
If you are reading this article there’s a good chance you decided to get a background in Mechanical Engineering. There’s also a good chance you made it through that degree only to realize, it wasn’t what you signed up for. You learned a ton of theory and are now a super talented cog in some big engineering firm. But what you really wanted was to create products, the look, the feel, the functionality, and the experience.
But I didn’t go to design school. What do I do?
Have no fear! Getting a foundation in Mechanical Engineering is one of the best decisions you could have made. If you take a peek at some of the most amazing industrial designers (like David Kelley), you’ll realize you’re right on track.
Many of us have heard the expression “form follows function” and it’s true. Far too often, designers lack the fundamental knowledge behind what can and can’t be made. Concepts and designs that can’t be manufactured, or are designed without mechanical constraints, can be a waste of time and resources. With a concrete background in mechanical design and a working skillset in industrial design, you’ll be equipped to build…
