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#IOLchat Report: Finding Professional Development OpportunitiesEach week we meet via Twitter for #IOLchat to discuss current issues related to online learning. Participants include students, instructors, eLearning companies, schools, publishers, and instructional designers. As we approach the summer months, …
Industrial Design
What Will I Learn in an Industrial Design Degree Program?
Ever wonder who was behind the design of your couch or a potato peeler? It was probably an industrial designer, a person responsible for creating objects that are attractive and functional for the consumer market. Industrial designers create designs for such diverse products as cars and medical equipment. Students in an industrial design degree program will take courses in modeling, woodworking, manufacturing, sculpture, materials, drawing and computer design. They will be expected to combine elements of art, business and engineering to craft objects that are stylish, functional, safe and high quality.
What Can I Do With an Industrial Design Degree?
Industrial design grads will find a wealth of career options available to them. One choice is to do in-house work for a manufacturer, large corporation or design firm. Although this is one of the most common career paths, it is certainly not the only one. Some students will establish their own firms and some will work within a specific aspect of design such as sustainability, engineering or drafting. If the corporate world isn't where students believe they belong, getting an MFA in the field can lead to a career in teaching industrial design as a professor.
What Is the Career Outlook for Industrial Design Degree Students?
Although the job outlook for industrial design is expected to be steady in the coming years, there will be tough competition for those seeking positions at big name firms and companies. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that industrial designers with backgrounds in engineering, computer-aided design and business will have the best chances of landing positions. Students should also keep in mind that foreign design firms, often located much closer to manufacturing plants, are proving to be tough competition for U.S. design firms. Additionally, graduates of industrial design programs will be well served by taking courses in green design, as the market for sustainable products continues to grow. The average salary for industrial designers is $57,000.
