Dear Jared,
Thank you for writing. Please consider these comments as “my opinions only” as a free-lance designer.
a. What is a typical day of work like?
There are not many “typical” days. Free-lancers wear a lot of hats--designer, product development engineer, communicator, coordinator, businessman, and more. Many of these aspects are addressed in the same day, and sometimes the processes require several work-through stages. Being self-employed and the “master of your own fate”, there often seem “not enough hours in the day” to get the job done.
b. What kind of education and experience are needed to obtain the job?
Education and experience are relative to the type of work you seek. Aspiring designers should have educational exposure into design and/or related fi elds of study (related engineering, art, etc.). Experience is always good, and often the best teacher. Many graduating students seek “process”--which is critical to grasp. Also, any “hands-on” fi eld experience in art, shop or studio work, etc. is pertinent.
c. What are the best and worst aspects of the position?
The best aspect of a being a designer is seeing an idea/concept/design work-through-process becoming a viable product in the marketplace. The worst aspect is the reverse--seeing sincere efforts to get concepts through the process hit snags and falter after much work is done.
d. How much and what kind of responsibility does the job require?
Responsibility is relative to the individual and respective “position of responsibility” and does differ from staff to free-lance. Once a design is accepted by a client, as free-lance designers we take responsibility through the product development process to do whatever we can to make the efforts and design successful. Once the product development process is complete and approved, and the design/product goes into production, it ultimately becomes the “clients” responsibility.
e. How easy is it to advance in the career?
Career advancement is relative to the ability, personality, dependability, career goals, successes and “track record” of a designer.
f. Are drawing skills required in order to do well in this carrier field?
Drawing is a form of communicating ideas and concepts--which is critical. Drawing as a communication skill can overcome many barriers of language and verbiage. Such skills come in various levels, techniques and media. You do not have to be a great artist to become a designer - but adequate skills are important and can be developed.
g. How did you know that you wanted to be an industrial designer?
I like being a part of the creative process and seeing ideas come to fruition.
h. When you were in college, what other majors were you looking at?
My educational background is in industrial engineering with a concentration in furniture. I do not have a design degree. I took as many design and art classes as possible in conjunction with my major. Upon graduation, I was fortunate to get a “summer job” with a free-lance furniture designer, and stayed there three years. I am a believer in hands-on experience. I also continued art classes and did much research and study on my own as to “furniture design” and related topics.
Hope this is of some help......best wishes in your endeavors.
Rick Berry, ASFD
