| When you go to a store and buy a cool new PDA or | | | | flaws can cost the company its market reputation. |
| pair of sunglasses or a computer mouse, you're | | | | Returns are costly, and when products fail there can |
| seeing the end result of a design process that may | | | | even be lawsuits. A well-designed product will have |
| have started with a drawing on a scrap of paper. | | | | parts that fit together, work smoothly, and have a |
| Commercial and industrial designers create products | | | | long service life. |
| that are attractive, durable, and make our lives easier. | | | | Safety. The federal government has laws that |
| Automobiles, microwave ovens, pens, computers, | | | | address product safety, including everything from |
| toys, garden tools, motorcycles, desk lamps, shoes - | | | | mandating seat belts in cars to prohibiting lead paint |
| people use millions of different consumer products | | | | on toys. Product designers must be aware of these |
| and industrial goods every day. Some items, like the | | | | regulations, and create products that meet applicable |
| old-fashioned mousetrap, have been around for | | | | safety standards. |
| centuries. Others, like the portable MP3 player or | | | | What kind of training do you need? Most entry-level |
| advanced video game controller, didn't exist ten | | | | commercial and industrial design jobs require a |
| years ago. And some, like the rotary dial telephone, | | | | bachelor's degree in industrial design, architecture, or |
| have become obsolete and have disappeared. | | | | engineering. Coursework may include drawing, |
| Who designs these things? Commercial and industrial | | | | computer-aided design (CAD), principles of design, |
| designers combine the fields of engineering, art, and | | | | and manufacturing methods and materials. Many |
| business to design the products people use every | | | | designers also study engineering, physical science, or |
| day. Designers are responsible for the function, | | | | mathematics, depending upon the area of |
| appearance, quality, and safety of manufactured | | | | specialization. |
| consumer products. They get trained in basic design | | | | How's the job outlook? According to the U.S. |
| and then generally specialize in one particular product | | | | Government's Bureau of Labor Statistics, during the |
| category, especially if it is highly complex, such as | | | | current decade 2008-2018 there will be increasing |
| automobiles or computers. | | | | demand for commercial and industrial designers |
| Designers sometimes have to create new products | | | | because of the continued focus on the safety and |
| (such as the iPod), or they may update familiar | | | | quality of consumer products. In addition, job growth |
| products (such as toasters or office chairs). In the | | | | in this category will be fueled by the development of |
| design process there are several important factors to | | | | high-technology products in medicine, consumer |
| consider: | | | | electronics, transportation, and other fields, and the |
| Cost. No matter how extraordinary the idea, the | | | | increasing demand for new products that are easy |
| manufacturer always has to consider the cost of | | | | and comfortable to use. |
| production. Even the coolest new gadget won't sell if | | | | How do you look for a training program? The fastest |
| it is too expensive. Everyday gadgets, like the | | | | way to get started is to log onto a reputable college |
| toasters sold at Target, must be priced | | | | directory website. You can search for programs using |
| competitively. | | | | keywords such as "engineering" or "Florida colleges." |
| Style. Some products, like claw hammers, need to | | | | You can read about the colleges or grad schools that |
| look rugged and functional. Other products, like MP3 | | | | meet your criteria. Don't forget to check out online |
| players, need to look trendy. A few, like the cell | | | | or hybrid (online and on-campus) programs. Then you |
| phone you can drop in the water, are both. Designers | | | | can request free information from the schools that |
| work within the requirements set by the | | | | meet your criteria. Compare programs, schedules, |
| manufacturer. | | | | financial aid, and job placement services. Then apply |
| Functionality. No matter how cool a product looks, it | | | | to the schools that are right for you. If you are |
| has to work well and provide benefit to the user. | | | | creative and want to use advanced technology, a |
| Computer products from Apple are popular not just | | | | career as a commercial or industrial designer may be |
| because they are stylish, but because they deliver a | | | | right for you. In less time than you think you could |
| high level of functionality. | | | | be training for a rewarding new career. |
| Quality. Products that are defective or contain design | | | | |