Seeking advice on a design-related major

[enwar3]

I'm having trouble choosing classes (and a major) for this coming quarter because I'm not exactly how exactly majors correspond to what we do when we're out of college.

I always liked putting things together or building things and so I thought I'd major in Product Design when I got to college. But I've recently realized how much emphasis Product Design places on art, and how many of the majors at my college are very artsy. I'm not even at a design school - the PD program is a program under the Mechanical Engineering department.

What I wanted to do in the future was identify needs and design solutions, or innovate ways to do things more effectively, etc. Essentially I want to engineer stuff. But the more I see of Product Design the more I think I may be headed down the wrong track. I am MUCH more of an engineer than an artist. Should I still major in Product Design? If not product design, what kind of occupation should I seek out where I can do such things?

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Sounds like you should definitely change to an engineering field, seems like a no-brainer to me. Be aware that engineering will likely be much more difficult and have a higher workload than your product design stuff.

 

[Leros]

You're definitely interested in some kind of engineering.

I think product design is more about the look and feel of products. For example, the case and layout of buttons on an iPod.

What kind of stuff have you envisioned yourself designing?

 

[Mo0o]

Why not structural engineering. If you prefer less math and more art, maybe architecture?

 

[EricMartello]

It's unrealistic to expect a typical 18 year old who has spent their whole life in school to really know what they want to do as a profession. Perhaps you may discover that you don't want to work at all and prefer to mooch off your parents and public support programs. Hey, I'm not judging. I'm just saying that to find out what you want to do you should jump in and try some things out.

I thought I wanted to be a computer programmer (not really, I wanted to make video games and it seemed like programming was the logical step). In reality I discovered that while I enjoy programming as a hobby it's not what I'd like doing for a living.

There are a lot more options out there than the usual college-925-die path that most people in the US choose.

 

[Leros]

Originally posted by: EricMartello
It's unrealistic to expect a typical 18 year old who has spent their whole life in school to really know what they want to do as a profession.

If the guy enjoys making stuff and is good at math, science, and logical thinking then he would probably like engineering.

 

[enwar3]

I think I may have given off the wrong impression.. I came into college thinking I'd be an engineer and went forward with the pre-reqs and all. The thing is, out of the engineering school I thought what would be most suited to me was Product Design (since we're not a Design school our PD program is under the ME program and heavily influenced by the engineering school). I had the impression that they got to basically come up with elegant ideas to problems. But I've learned the majority of the profession seems to be more like, as Leros said, designing buttons on an ipod. Designing how things look and appeal to people in general. Even though PD is under ME at my school there is a huge emphasis on art. Which is also too bad since our grads probably get pwned by design school grads..

I'm more interested in engineering solutions to problems. For example, I feel like a product designer would design a chair to fit in with its surroundings, look nice/professional (I know I'm simplifying things a little) whereas I'd be more interested in finding technologies from other fields to put inside the chair, or designing a chair that addressed a need like poor posture in the office, bad rollie wheels, etc. I know I want to be an engineer but the reason I shy away from traditional ME is because I've done a couple internships at HP as an ME intern and a lot of it was using math, science, and experimental data to implement ideas that somebody else came up with. I wanted to be the somebody else, who came up with the ideas to start with. I understand that both roles often come hand-in-hand, but of the little I've seen of the workplace, division of labor does take place and I think I would much rather like the initial innovation.

I hope that made sense. I'm so lost! Thanks for the advice so far.. to this hapless college undergrad =(

 

[RESmonkey]

Funny thing: I have a friend who is going to an art school, but he *SUCKS* at drawing/photoshop/anything related to art in general. His "portfolio" is a compilation of poorly drawn Jokers from The Dark Knight and self portraits. Then some pictures he took of himself and altered via a SINGLE Photoshop filter. I could draw better than this kid when I was in the fifth grade, yet he somehow thinks he is a 'pro.'

 

[Mo0o]

Originally posted by: RESmonkey
Funny thing: I have a friend who is going to an art school, but he *SUCKS* at drawing/photoshop/anything related to art in general. His "portfolio" is a compilation of poorly drawn Jokers from The Dark Knight and self portraits. Then some pictures he took of himself and altered via a SINGLE Photoshop filter. I could draw better than this kid when I was in the fifth grade, yet he somehow thinks he is a 'pro.'

what does he want to do after art school? other than being a waste on society

 

[Leros]

Originally posted by: enwar3
I'm more interested in engineering solutions to problems. For example, I feel like a product designer would design a chair to fit in with its surroundings, look nice/professional (I know I'm simplifying things a little) whereas I'd be more interested in finding technologies from other fields to put inside the chair, or designing a chair that addressed a need like poor posture in the office, bad rollie wheels, etc. I know I want to be an engineer but the reason I shy away from traditional ME is because I've done a couple internships at HP as an ME intern and a lot of it was using math, science, and experimental data to implement ideas that somebody else came up with. I wanted to be the somebody else, who came up with the ideas to start with. I understand that both roles often come hand-in-hand, but of the little I've seen of the workplace, division of labor does take place and I think I would much rather like the initial innovation.

I hope that made sense. I'm so lost! Thanks for the advice so far.. to this hapless college undergrad =(

I would say that engineering is still what you want. You just saw the lowest level form of engineering. Internships or entry level will be like that. Corporate work may be like that.

To get to do the fun stuff ("the somebody else, who came up with the ideas to start with") you need something extra. You either need to be in a more senior position, or get in with a startup, or start your own company.

I think you just discovered that the corporate world sorta sucks.

 

[Leros]

dp

 

[RESmonkey]

Originally posted by: Mo0o

Originally posted by: RESmonkey
Funny thing: I have a friend who is going to an art school, but he *SUCKS* at drawing/photoshop/anything related to art in general. His "portfolio" is a compilation of poorly drawn Jokers from The Dark Knight and self portraits. Then some pictures he took of himself and altered via a SINGLE Photoshop filter. I could draw better than this kid when I was in the fifth grade, yet he somehow thinks he is a 'pro.'

what does he want to do after art school? other than being a waste on society

Somehow, I have reason to believe that this kid thinks he can get into designing video games (the game itself including 3d graphics, code, etc.) from having an "art" degree. Note: his curriculum has nothing to do with CAD/modeling or code. Just classical art or something.

 

[enwar3]

Originally posted by: Leros

Originally posted by: enwar3
I'm more interested in engineering solutions to problems. For example, I feel like a product designer would design a chair to fit in with its surroundings, look nice/professional (I know I'm simplifying things a little) whereas I'd be more interested in finding technologies from other fields to put inside the chair, or designing a chair that addressed a need like poor posture in the office, bad rollie wheels, etc. I know I want to be an engineer but the reason I shy away from traditional ME is because I've done a couple internships at HP as an ME intern and a lot of it was using math, science, and experimental data to implement ideas that somebody else came up with. I wanted to be the somebody else, who came up with the ideas to start with. I understand that both roles often come hand-in-hand, but of the little I've seen of the workplace, division of labor does take place and I think I would much rather like the initial innovation.

I hope that made sense. I'm so lost! Thanks for the advice so far.. to this hapless college undergrad =(

I would say that engineering is still what you want. You just saw the lowest level form of engineering. Internships or entry level will be like that. Corporate work may be like that.

To get to do the fun stuff ("the somebody else, who came up with the ideas to start with") you need something extra. You either need to be in a more senior position, or get in with a startup, or start your own company.

I think you just discovered that the corporate world sorta sucks.

So you think product design is a bad choice in this case? I should just go with an engineering degree?

 

[zinfamous]

sounds like you would be a good fit for marketing. They don't tend to know a damn thing about the crap they're trying to sell, but they get to pretend that they are involved somehow.

The beauty of it is, you can apply it towards anything. Just go to random school Y with random business school X. They're all equally useless.

 

[Leros]

Originally posted by: enwar3

Originally posted by: Leros

Originally posted by: enwar3
I'm more interested in engineering solutions to problems. For example, I feel like a product designer would design a chair to fit in with its surroundings, look nice/professional (I know I'm simplifying things a little) whereas I'd be more interested in finding technologies from other fields to put inside the chair, or designing a chair that addressed a need like poor posture in the office, bad rollie wheels, etc. I know I want to be an engineer but the reason I shy away from traditional ME is because I've done a couple internships at HP as an ME intern and a lot of it was using math, science, and experimental data to implement ideas that somebody else came up with. I wanted to be the somebody else, who came up with the ideas to start with. I understand that both roles often come hand-in-hand, but of the little I've seen of the workplace, division of labor does take place and I think I would much rather like the initial innovation.

I hope that made sense. I'm so lost! Thanks for the advice so far.. to this hapless college undergrad =(

I would say that engineering is still what you want. You just saw the lowest level form of engineering. Internships or entry level will be like that. Corporate work may be like that.

To get to do the fun stuff ("the somebody else, who came up with the ideas to start with") you need something extra. You either need to be in a more senior position, or get in with a startup, or start your own company.

I think you just discovered that the corporate world sorta sucks.

So you think product design is a bad choice in this case? I should just go with an engineering degree?

Do an engineering degree.

If you really don't like the low level work, then take the risky approach. Work at startups, work on your own projects, and try to be an entrepreneur.

Worst case, you end up as an engineer which sounds like the closest to what you want anyway.

 

[zinfamous]

BTW: this may help:

* Main Entry: art
* Pronunciation: \'ärt
* Function: noun
* Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin art-, ars ? more at arm
* Date: 13th century

1 : skill acquired by experience, study, or observation <the art of making friends>
2 a : a branch of learning: (1) : one of the humanities (2) plural : liberal arts b archaic : learning, scholarship
3 : an occupation requiring knowledge or skill <the art of organ building>
4 a : the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects; also : works so produced b (1) : fine arts (2) : one of the fine arts (3) : a graphic art
5 a archaic : a skillful plan b : the quality or state of being artful
6 : decorative or illustrative elements in printed matter

seriously dude, just go with engineering. If you're seriously into how things work, then why would you do anything else? you can do whatever the fuck you want after that. If it's your passion, then you'll just do it. No way in hell any type of degree, whatever you choose, is going to slow you down from that. If you're serious enough about it, then you'll eventually make it happen. Actually understanding how such things go together--throw in some physics and chem E, E E, then you'll realize you were wasting yoru time in such a vague pseudo major as product design. crap like that is designed to funnel the students that have no clue what they are doing anyway, so they aren't a burden on the real workforce. Those that make it focus on the core--actual engineering

You think "Pre-Med" ever gets anyone anywhere? lol


...besides, I can't understand how anyone that has some interest in designing products can have no appreciation for art--depending on what you mean by that. If you want to make doohickies that sell, then you have to have some sort of knowledge of aesthetic appeal. Having a decent background in, again, the basics--the core of what we call aesthetic--is absolutely essential.

I feel that all scientists, or mathematically inclined people should spend some time looking into art, or music, or something inherently aesthetic. same with the literary or artistically inclined, they should try to gain some appreciation of the quantitative, numbers-based world. All disciplines gain tremendous benefit through appreciations o the others.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: enwar3
I think I may have given off the wrong impression.. I came into college thinking I'd be an engineer and went forward with the pre-reqs and all. The thing is, out of the engineering school I thought what would be most suited to me was Product Design (since we're not a Design school our PD program is under the ME program and heavily influenced by the engineering school). I had the impression that they got to basically come up with elegant ideas to problems. But I've learned the majority of the profession seems to be more like, as Leros said, designing buttons on an ipod. Designing how things look and appeal to people in general. Even though PD is under ME at my school there is a huge emphasis on art. Which is also too bad since our grads probably get pwned by design school grads..

I'm more interested in engineering solutions to problems. For example, I feel like a product designer would design a chair to fit in with its surroundings, look nice/professional (I know I'm simplifying things a little) whereas I'd be more interested in finding technologies from other fields to put inside the chair, or designing a chair that addressed a need like poor posture in the office, bad rollie wheels, etc. I know I want to be an engineer but the reason I shy away from traditional ME is because I've done a couple internships at HP as an ME intern and a lot of it was using math, science, and experimental data to implement ideas that somebody else came up with. I wanted to be the somebody else, who came up with the ideas to start with. I understand that both roles often come hand-in-hand, but of the little I've seen of the workplace, division of labor does take place and I think I would much rather like the initial innovation.

I hope that made sense. I'm so lost! Thanks for the advice so far.. to this hapless college undergrad =(

Just so you know, that someone else is that someone not because anyone taught them how to do that. They are that someone b/c that is who they are.

see?

all the technical mumbo-jumbo, structural mechanics, product material, whatever can be taught--but having the foresight to bring various components together in a novel way is something inherent--especially when pulling from seemingly disparate fields.

I think a lot of young students fall into the somewhat misguided belief that school will direct you into being what you want to be; or at least create something for you if you have no clue of what you want to be (hey guess what--this kind of crap is believed b/c that's the kind of BS that marketers have been feeding us )

School doesn't make you; it only helps you along if you will it.

 

[enwar3]

Originally posted by: zinfamous
BTW: this may help:

* Main Entry: art
* Pronunciation: \'ärt
* Function: noun
* Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin art-, ars ? more at arm
* Date: 13th century

1 : skill acquired by experience, study, or observation <the art of making friends>
2 a : a branch of learning: (1) : one of the humanities (2) plural : liberal arts b archaic : learning, scholarship
3 : an occupation requiring knowledge or skill <the art of organ building>
4 a : the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects; also : works so produced b (1) : fine arts (2) : one of the fine arts (3) : a graphic art
5 a archaic : a skillful plan b : the quality or state of being artful
6 : decorative or illustrative elements in printed matter

seriously dude, just go with engineering. If you're seriously into how things work, then why would you do anything else? you can do whatever the fuck you want after that. If it's your passion, then you'll just do it. No way in hell any type of degree, whatever you choose, is going to slow you down from that. If you're serious enough about it, then you'll eventually make it happen. Actually understanding how such things go together--throw in some physics and chem E, E E, then you'll realize you were wasting yoru time in such a vague pseudo major as product design. crap like that is designed to funnel the students that have no clue what they are doing anyway, so they aren't a burden on the real workforce. Those that make it focus on the core--actual engineering

You think "Pre-Med" ever gets anyone anywhere? lol


...besides, I can't understand how anyone that has some interest in designing products can have no appreciation for art--depending on what you mean by that. If you want to make doohickies that sell, then you have to have some sort of knowledge of aesthetic appeal. Having a decent background in, again, the basics--the core of what we call aesthetic--is absolutely essential.

I feel that all scientists, or mathematically inclined people should spend some time looking into art, or music, or something inherently aesthetic. same with the literary or artistically inclined, they should try to gain some appreciation of the quantitative, numbers-based world. All disciplines gain tremendous benefit through appreciations o the others.

It's not like I don't have ANY appreciation of art. I do like it =) finding a balance between form and function and everything. I'm just not very artsy in general, and that's less fun than the actual engineering part.

I guess I'll see some profs for some advice. Maybe I am completely off wanting a PD degree. I just always figured I'd be a product designer since I watched an segment on IDEO (quintessential pd design firm) where they had to design the next generation shopping cart. Now that is cool. Popular Science stuff you know? Not like making a bar stool that looks like Marilyn Monroe or cloud inspired home accessories or other wild stuff that I'm simply not gifted enough (in that particular regard) to understand...

 

[enwar3]

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: enwar3
I think I may have given off the wrong impression.. I came into college thinking I'd be an engineer and went forward with the pre-reqs and all. The thing is, out of the engineering school I thought what would be most suited to me was Product Design (since we're not a Design school our PD program is under the ME program and heavily influenced by the engineering school). I had the impression that they got to basically come up with elegant ideas to problems. But I've learned the majority of the profession seems to be more like, as Leros said, designing buttons on an ipod. Designing how things look and appeal to people in general. Even though PD is under ME at my school there is a huge emphasis on art. Which is also too bad since our grads probably get pwned by design school grads..

I'm more interested in engineering solutions to problems. For example, I feel like a product designer would design a chair to fit in with its surroundings, look nice/professional (I know I'm simplifying things a little) whereas I'd be more interested in finding technologies from other fields to put inside the chair, or designing a chair that addressed a need like poor posture in the office, bad rollie wheels, etc. I know I want to be an engineer but the reason I shy away from traditional ME is because I've done a couple internships at HP as an ME intern and a lot of it was using math, science, and experimental data to implement ideas that somebody else came up with. I wanted to be the somebody else, who came up with the ideas to start with. I understand that both roles often come hand-in-hand, but of the little I've seen of the workplace, division of labor does take place and I think I would much rather like the initial innovation.

I hope that made sense. I'm so lost! Thanks for the advice so far.. to this hapless college undergrad =(

Just so you know, that someone else is that someone not because anyone taught them how to do that. They are that someone b/c that is who they are.

see?

all the technical mumbo-jumbo, structural mechanics, product material, whatever can be taught--but having the foresight to bring various components together in a novel way is something inherent--especially when pulling from seemingly disparate fields.

I think a lot of young students fall into the somewhat misguided belief that school will direct you into being what you want to be; or at least create something for you if you have no clue of what you want to be (hey guess what--this kind of crap is believed b/c that's the kind of BS that marketers have been feeding us )

School doesn't make you; it only helps you along if you will it.

Well yes.. but I guess I was under the impression that certain occupations (by major) focused on certain things. Or would "shunt" you towards that type of career...