BYU NewsNet - Industrial Design major Applies Creativity, Ability

inádusátriáal /_n_d_stri_l/ Pronunciation Key[in-duhs-tree-uhl]

deásign /d__za_n/ Pronunciation Key [di-zahyn]

-noun

the art that deals with the design problems of manufactured objects, including problems of designing such objects with consideration for available materials and means of production, of designing packages, bottles, etc., for manufactured goods, and of graphic design for manufactured objects, packages, etc.

Industrial design is a revolutionary profession that requires creativity, visual skills and tolerance for ambiguity.

According to the Industrial Design Society of America, industrial design is the professional service of creating and developing concepts and specifications that optimize the function, value and appearance of products and systems for the mutual benefit of both the user and manufacturer.

"The BYU industrial design program offers the best return on investment compared to other schools nationwide," said Paul Skaggs, BYU industrial design professor.

Skaggs said some of the skills students develop in the program include the ability to apply creativity principles to come up with a multitude of ideas - the ability to visualize and present ideas as well as understanding human needs, perceptions and cultures, he said.

"Since I graduated in industrial design the basic principles still remain the same, but the tools, methods and knowledge base have changed radically," Skaggs said. "New tools like the computer, color printing, Internet, rapid prototyping, CNC machining and solid modeling software. Methods for research, creative problem solving, form development, visualization, have all changed. The size of the knowledge base is huge."

Each year, the IDSA honors the top two undergraduates in the field. This year Ke "Nico" Li, of Guangzhou, China, received one of the two 2008 IDSA undergraduate scholarships.

"Design can make our lives better; designs can make progress," Li said in a press release. "BYU definitely has given me a starting-off point with a different perspective of thinking. BYU offers a well-rounded skill set compared to other schools."

Chris West, a junior from Salt Lake City, majoring in industrial design, said he wanted to combine his artistic background with engineering.

"Industrial design is different, it stretches my creativity. I like that about it," he said.

Skaggs said some of the criteria in choosing from a large pool of applicants includes finding candidates that have the ability to find problems, reframe them and challenge assumptions. They need the ability to see, rotate, manipulate and construct objects in their heads, he said. Skaggs also said students must have the ability to work in messy situations and jump into a problem in the middle and work backwards.

"Our biggest reward is that our students are working in the top consulting firms in the country, interning internationally and working for Fortune 500 corporations," Skaggs said. "Our students go to consulting design firms or to corporate design offices. We have a very high placement rate, about 90 percent employment one year after graduation."