What does it take to stand out in the competitive world of industrial design? In this episode of PRISM, hosts Anson Cheung and Cole Derby share invaluable insights for designers looking to build strong portfolios and excel in interviews. Anson, an independent designer with over a decade of experience, has crafted award-winning technology products and previously served as a Partner at Bould Design, where he helped shape iconic items like the Nest Thermostat and GoPro cameras. Cole, the Director of Industrial Design at Whipsaw, has led high-impact projects for clients such as Olympus and Intel, earning numerous industry accolades. Together, they explore the key elements that can make or break a designer’s entry into the field, offering advice that can set you on the path to success.
The role of an industrial designer can vary vastly from place to place, and it’s important to understand the specific requirements of the role before applying. Smaller studios often prefer versatile designers who can tackle various aspects of the design process, while larger firms typically seek specialists with deep expertise. At Whipsaw, we bring on designers who bring a range of interests and experiences to the table. Our team includes individuals passionate about everything from transportation and cutting-edge technology to fitness and wellness. This diversity allows us to match designers to projects that align with their personal interests and expertise. Make sure you research the specifics of the role ahead of time, so you can craft your pitch and portfolio accordingly.
How you present yourself and your work can make all the difference in the hiring process. A well-crafted portfolio not only showcases your design prowess but also reflects your thought process and narrative skills. For most firms, the review process is two-fold.
#1, are the visuals well polished, eye-catching, and intriguing for the reviewer? And #2, does it have the substance to back it up? The strongest portfolios showcase a mixture of strong visual and technical skills, while also demonstrating a clear thought process. Are the problems clearly articulated? Has the designer demonstrated a wide concept exploration, and clear rationale for how they evaluated and validated their design decisions along the way? And finally, be mindful of how you take ownership of your work. Acknowledging your teammates in your work is important, and reflects an honest and collaborative spirit.
A well-crafted portfolio not only showcases your design prowess but also reflects your thought process and narrative skills.
As products increasingly combine physical and digital elements, industrial designers are working cross-functionally to arrive at solutions which are seamlessly integrated across all touch points. At Whipsaw, our in-house engineering team works closely with designers, allowing our designs to have seamless integration across physical and digital realms. As such, we value candidates who are creative and pragmatic, capable of navigating team dynamics and aligning with broader goals.
Leading with empathy ensures that design solutions are not only functional but aligned with user expectations, which is crucial for any organization aiming to create impactful products that address real problems.
A designer's success hinges on their ability to empathize with diverse stakeholders, including consumers and internal teams. The candidate who prioritizes collaborative decision-making over ego will excel every time. Leading with empathy ensures that design solutions are not only functional but aligned with user expectations, which is crucial for any organization aiming to create impactful products that address real problems.
Embrace your unique talents, and don't be afraid to be bold. Odds are the entire team could benefit from your wisdom and point of view.
Once you’re hired, don’t be afraid to let people into your process and share your knowledge and skills. We recently welcomed a new designer who, in his first week, brought a VR headset into the studio. While the rest of us were sketching based on a project brief, he was off in the corner, fully engaged in Gravity Sketch, bringing his ideas to life in an innovative way. Modeling concepts this way gave our team more insight into scale and proportion, and to this day we are still implementing AR/VR techniques into our process.
The takeaway? Embrace your unique talents, and don't be afraid to be bold. Odds are the entire team could benefit from your wisdom and point of view.
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