If I want to design and make stuff, what college program?

D

Don Nguyen

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Oct 4, 2011
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I've always loved designing things - I wanted to be a car designer. I look at random things and think, "Well, how would I design one of those myself?" For example, this keyboard I'm tying on, I want to make one. Or the mouse. Or some random device.

What program would teach me skills for what I'm looking for? Right now I'm a materials engineering major, but I was thinking about adding a minor - so I was going to ask you guys. I'll go talk to the advisor some time, but I like your opinions too.

Basically, I just want to make stuff. I'm already making knives in my free time, but I'd like to expand. I did a little machining too, so I have some basic knowledge of that field. Am I thinking about electrical engineering or something like that?
 
Engineering? :confused: Maybe mechanical? Or electrical. ;)

ETA: my roommates went to school together at a very highly regarded tech school. They both have degrees in mechanical. One got a second undergrad degree in electrical from a different well thought of university. Both are very intelligent design nuts. It sounds like you are on the right path. Familiarity with the latest computer design programs will go a long way. Are you proficient?
 
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I am not proficient with computer design programs at all, but I have solid works on my home PC and will pick up the basics this winter break. It's pretty confusing, but I can only imagine how useful it could be.
 
Learning some sort of 3D modeling program (Solidworks, Autodesk Inventor, etc) is super important. It looks very good on a resume and it saves time when designing 'things'. It's much easier to change the size of a line on the computer than having to build a whole new model.

And yeah, engineering (and specifically mechanical) sounds like it would be a good fit with you. Try to take some classes in that major!

Good luck!
 
When it comes to a product such as a car or a knife or toaster, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, these are "detail designs," the stuff "under-the-hood." But the hood itself, what the product will look like, how it will feel, how the user will interact with it, these decisions are Industrial Design (I know, the name sounds a little off as it seems to me to conjure up images of designing factories or some such thing). Steve Jobs, for example, was basically an Industrial Designer... albeit a superb one. He was also a superb Product Line Manager. As Produc Line Manager, he set what the product should be, what features and specifications it should have, what functions it should perform, etc. Then, as Industrial Designer, he set the product's shape and color and material, what it should look like, how it should feel, how to interact with it, what the customer's experience of it should be. Then, his electrical, mechanical, and software engineers "realized" the product, they made it real. His quality engineers tested the product to be sure it worked as specified. His compliance engineers made sure that the product met all applicable legal, agency, industry, and internal standards and requirements. Then his manufacturing engineers figured out how to build the product and his test engineers figured out how to test it.

It's not a strictly-linear process. One of my goals as a new-product-developer is what I like to call "rachetting," keeping the process moving in one direction. But, sometimes, you do have to go backwards. The mechanical engineer (often called the "Product Designer") may determine that what the Industrial Designer came up with can't be done at the price stipulated by the Product Line Manager. So, there has to be a conversation the takes place. As NPD, it often falls to me to facilitate that conversation. That conversation may conclude that the PLM loves the ID's design, thinks it adds enough sizzle that the price can be increased or the volume increased to allow lower costs and so we move ahead as the ID conceived the product. We may conclude that the ID needs to rework the industrial design to incorporate the limitations identified by the PD. Or we may even offer the PD some new ideas on how to achieve the desired look at lower cost.



If you want to be an Industrial Designer, The Art Center College of Design in Passadena, California

http://www.artcenter.edu

is the best... especially if you're interested in automotive.


Iowa State University is the surprise second:

http://www.design.iastate.edu/
 
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If you're talking about designing whole systems (vehicles, keyboards, etc.) then a bit (or more) of mechanical and electrical would be involved. It really depends how deeply you want to get into it all. Mechanical can cover everything from sheet metal, machined parts, gears and bearings, to fluid flow, heating and cooling, and the design of such entities. Electrical/electromechanical, I would think, would get you more into the electrical control end of things but the two fields often go hand in hand. It really depends on what you find most interesting. Becoming familiar with all the equipment that will help you "make stuff" (milling, machining, EDM, plasma, injection molding, sheet metal equipment, welding (in all its forms) may help guide you in a particular direction. As stated earlier being proficient with a good 3D/solid modeling program is a necessity and would probably be included in many engineering programs. It can be very satisfying to be in an environment where one can come up with an idea, create the computerized model, give that model to the machine/molding shop and see it become a real working part. Industrial/design engineering programs may get you there also. You may also look at being a designer, especially with the background you already have. The designers I've worked with are experts with 3D/solid design and very creative. They are often the ones that have come up with the forms and shapes of the products you use - from cell phones, to toasters to autos, to toys. They may not have as deep of mechanical/electrical background but take the mechanical/electrical/spacial/ergonomic requirements and create the final package. Look for some websites for design companies on the web - all sorts of interesting projects. Hope this helps a bit. Mike
 
I would suggest a 3D modeling/design/drafting software. Catia V5 is fantastic and it's what a lot of big design/fabrication companies use.
 
BrettP said:
I would suggest a 3D modeling/design/drafting software. Catia V5 is fantastic and it's what a lot of big design/fabrication companies use.
Click to expand...

Licensing is crazy expensive for Catia compared to other CAD software, and you can get the same experience (at least on the design side) from other CAD software.

As to the OP, I must shamelessly promote the programs of Ferris State University, as I am a current student there. You can get a degree in a wide variety of engineering fields, and it's very hands on.

Ferris State College of Engineering Technology
 
not being in the field anymore, I cant really give much advice, but I was a designer in engineering research and a metrologist for a weapon systems design lab, and I realized that being a "tinkerer" by nature really helped me think things through faster than some of my colleagues before ever getting to a new drawing. I grew up being the kid who took everything apart and rebuilt it or built it into something new. Being a fabricator/designer is as much an art as a science. Some people can do that type of stuff really easily, while others have to plan out every single step only to find out that something in the beginning doesn't match up with the desired end result. Thinking in 3D and working backwards are great mental excersizes for this type of work, and also just great problem solving skills.

Also, do learn to draft with pencil and paper, it really makes a big difference when working with machinists when you can take a working blue print and sketch up a readable revision right there on their bench to keep production moving. Update the digital drawing later.


Good luck!


-Xander
 
Also, do learn to draft with pencil and paper, it really makes a big difference when working with machinists when you can take a working blue print and sketch up a readable revision right there on their bench to keep production moving. Update the digital drawing later.
Click to expand...

Drafting by hand is dead... but sketching will never die and will always be a valuable skill for anyone in product development. Learn and practice and practice to sketch on paper and sketch on a whiteboard. A picture is worth a thousand words... and if you can create that picture spontaneously in a matter of seconds with just a pencil or a pen, then your ability to communicate -- and with it your value to an organization -- skyrockets.

Many times I have sat frustrated as someone tries to sketch an idea they're trying to communicate, "Oh.... kind of like this... gee I can never draw... well you know what I'm talking about..." No, we don't.... and with every infernal stroke of that pen you're making it less clear.

"Here, let me have that pen. Is this what you mean?" as I quickly sketch what I can gather from what the first person said.

"Wow. Your drawing is so much better. I was thinking of a cutout in this part, though, where a tab on this other part would go to secure the assembly."

"Oh, right here?"

"No, over here."

"Like this?" as I change my sketch.

"Yeah, but with rounded corners."

"This?"

"Yes, that's it."

And you can suddenly see the whole room light up as the lightbulbs above everyones' heads suddenly come on.

Sometimes, I feel like a police sketch artist sketching the bank robber who got away with the valuables except that I'm sketching the valuable idea that's at risk of getting away. And this can be a very valuable skill.
 
+1 to the industrial design suggestion. I also think the basic art & design classes would be helpful, too. The theories of proportion and human-scale stay the same across all media.
 
[youtube]JkHOxyafGpE[/youtube]

That is the first of three parts (finding the other two is left to the reader as an exercise).

This is old stuff, 1999. But Ideo is still an Industrial Design and product development powerhouse and all of what you see here is still absolutely true and valid today... except for the hairstyles, of course.

Look around you. Everything that isn't part of nature was designed.
 
EagleScouter said:
Licensing is crazy expensive for Catia compared to other CAD software, and you can get the same experience (at least on the design side) from other CAD software.

As to the OP, I must shamelessly promote the programs of Ferris State University, as I am a current student there. You can get a degree in a wide variety of engineering fields, and it's very hands on.

Ferris State College of Engineering Technology
Click to expand...

As he’s a student I was suggesting it as a college course. Also Catia V5 student edition is less than $100.
 
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Gollnick, I completely agree with your assessment of my suggestion. I did learn drafting by hand in the 90's in high school (then they got R14!) and it was a huge help just as you described. Being able to visualize and then produce that visual for everyone else is huge. Very huge.


-Xander
 
I'm sure these specific program tips are great, but at this level, there are certain requirements that can't be achieved outside of a legitimate degree program. I'm 100% in favor of learning what you can as a hobby- see MIT's website for all kinds of great instruction and testing (without credit).

The trick is getting into the interview in the first place, and you will need a degree to get in the door.

If you get into a decent engineering school and study industrial or mechanical or even just really get into machining, you will find out through their program what software is important to learn.

Of course a degree may not always be necessary, and I'm sure some people have pulled off jobs by showing what they could do vs. fulfilling requirements, but 99% of the time you'll need an engineering degree to get an engineering-related position.

Also, be prepared to study. Intuitive design/engineering only goes so far. You will have to learn so much more than that: statics, dynamics, fluids; MANY formulas and theories. Don't be put-off by it, just realize that a science degree is WAY harder than an English degree. We're talking physics, chemistry, materials, etc.

ETA: Sorry, missed the part that you are already studying. I'd just talk to an advisor, get some input about job prospects/placement and match that with what you're interested in. Sounds like you're already playing the game, it's just a matter of making it work for you.
 
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