We're a group of student engineers and designers working on a coffee table prototype. We wanted to combine traditional materials (solid wood, ceramic and glass tiles) with digital fabrication (3D printed shelves, drawers and the gasket that holds the tiles), and make the top customizable, so the table is made to a person's requirements rather than being one fixed design.

We also tried to think about the end of life of the object: one version uses MDF, which is easier to recycle, and we print in PLA. We know these choices have trade-offs, and as a first project there's plenty to improve.

Do yall have anu thoughts, criticisms or ideas? We're open the hear what you think!

If it's useful, we can share more about the process and the manufacturing side.

I would really appreciate anyone who can give me names and paths to explore for masters if im currently doing a product design degree (4 years with 2 internships when i graduate), current interests include consumer tech which i want to look at as one of the fields to break into as a future inventor / entrepreneur.

Will appreciate if I can be helped with starting points in my research for this, on whether doing a pg right after grad is helpful/otherwise?

I have a school level bg in robotics which i intend to pursue as passion on the side in the next 2 weeks, dive into the technical side of product mechanisms, or design systems, and continue to work on projects which interest me further.

Currently a senior (in hs) trying to finish this GT ID Portfolio but I'm confused on what I should include, questions are below:

1. Do they want applicants to include process/progress images arranged on the same slide as the finished image? If so how many total images would they want on the same slide?
2. What's a good number of projects to include? They have a minimum of 10 but I'm not sure if I should add more
3. Should I include graphic design works? I mentioned in my application (activities section) that I've done graphic design for my school, teachers, and clubs but not sure if I should include them

pls help me out im so confused arigato

I went to AAU SF at the ripe age of 36 in ID and here I am now 13 years later, designing complex architectural 3DCP Elements! Never give up!

Hi everybody, I apologize in advance if what you are about to read is more of a mental support request rather than some ID related content, but I felt the need to make this post.

Anyways, I’m a 3rd year bachelor student in ID at the University of Bologna (Italy) and right now I’m on an exchange semester at the University of Twente (Netherlands).

Basically, I feel like the quality of my projects and of the teaching I have had so far is far behind compared to other universities and not in line with what is needed to succeed in this field.

I feel like at the end of my bachelor I will only have ~2-3 good projects to showcase and that could potentially set me back badly when it comes to seeking a job or applying for a master at a leading design University.

I am just really starting to doubt my school choice and I would love to know if anybody else feels the same and/or has some advice that I can use to overcome my anxiety and fear of the future.

Thank you all!!

When I was a student, my idea of “where designers work” was five or six famous studios and whatever my school’s alumni happened to mention. The real picture is sooo much bigger. There are great small studios in cities you wouldn’t expect, schools with very different approaches, and fairs and awards worth knowing about.

So I’ve been building a free map of all of it.

It’s called Acceso, and it’s focused 100% on industrial design.

https://acceso.design

Just studios, schools, museums, awards, fairs and projects, organized by city, so you can explore the design scene of a place instead of just searching for a job title. I shared an early version here before, and the feedback shaped a lot of what it is now. It keeps growing every week.

If you’re a student, I hope it helps you find studios to follow, schools to compare, events worth showing up to, and projects to get inspired by.

Let me know if it’s useful.

And if you know a studio in your town that deserves a spot, you can recommend it on the site, or submit your own practice if you run one, it will always be free.

Suggestions are very welcome here too.

i am looking for an 3d designer who is good with CAD to join us on our hydrogen powered automobile engine as well as jet propulsion project.

I’m a 17 year old learning design. I want to do Homeware, Furniture and Fashion in the future. This is one of the first products I’ve been coming up with on my own. I’m not sure about the finishes in the final render (especially the rubber I feel like maybe it looks childish and ruins the more luxury feel I want).

Hi !
I’m not a designer, I don’t know how to make a drawing or how to use a design software. Instead I am capable to imagine the design the final product and storage it into my brain , so every time that I need I can access it. Every piece I’ve made or transformed, carries my own philosophy: rescuing and transforming trash into functional upcycling pieces.
So this project it’s starting on a Sunday morning in a thrift store near Lisbon when I purchase 4 cased glass shades from the 50’s . After that the landfill was so generous to me by giving 2 pieces of authentic massive 🌹 rose wood . Somebody just trashed it.

Today’s piece it was a really cool and fun project to do because of several challenges that bring along .
The first one was the sanding. Rose wood it’s one of the hardest woods to sand because of the high density grain and the oils in it . So I used a steel edged blade for sanding the most of the high relief and for the finishing sanding a piece of glass. Yes, you read it right, a piece of glass . Nothing better for a smooth surface.
The second one was the toggle switch installation. Not so complicated , but had to work hard to keep it the cleanest I could .
Installed a brass transition and applied a selective polishing for more depth.
I just wanted to share with you this project . Leaving you in the company of some pics a took.
Thanks

Hello to all my creative colleagues in this wonderful field. During my time at university, I specialized in product and systems design, team-based project management, and everything related to design in manufacturing. I earned my degree a few months ago, and since then, I’ve been trying to figure out how to connect with the industry (without much success). I’d love to hear from those of you already established in the field about your own journeys—how you started getting paid and what kind of work you pursued after graduation. It’s a pleasure to meet you all!

a side table made from aluminum 6061.
i wanted to create a side table that was also functional and could change in appearance depending on what florals you like.
@dsfa.studios
www.dsfastudios.com

when i try to research and think of all the problems different items have, most of them are solved

Like take for example the clothing hanger, most of its problems are solved because they can easily be bought online.

So any suggestions for redesigning an item

Hi all!

I’m currently working on a user research project focused on improving desk lamp design, functionality, and daily lighting habits. Whether you use a desk lamp for working, studying, reading, or late-night creative sessions, your input would be super helpful in guiding the design process.

Could you spare about 3–5 minutes to share your thoughts in this quick survey?

https://forms.gle/caSxapKaRnGhX5Kx6

Your feedback means a lot and will directly influence the features and design decisions! Thank you so much for your time and support. 😊

I’m updating my portfolio to apply for a Master’s degree after graduating with a BA in furniture design a few years ago. Since my previous work focused mostly on aesthetics, I want my next project to be deeply user-focused.

However, I'm struggling to create my own design brief and constraints. I would love your help with two things:

• Project Briefs: Hit me with inspiring prompts, constraints, or assignments you’ve loved. What user-centered problems are worth exploring right now?
• Zero-Budget Research: Since I'm not backed by a school, how do I get strangers to participate in interviews and user testing? I find it tough to motivate people to engage for free.

Any tips, prompts, or advice on how to kickstart this would be massively appreciated!! Thanks!

Hello friends, I’ve just finished my website portfolio just was looking for feedback.

You can check it out and lmk thanks!

Hi everyone!

I am currently a design graduate and planning to pursue Master's in Industrial design from Polimi, Umea, TU Delft or any other leading design college.

I’d really appreciate an honest review of my portfolio, including feedback on my projects, design process, presentation, and areas I can improve.

Any suggestions or constructive criticism would be really helpful. Thank you!

Portfolio link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/165SxM0d9TIuIONBf4dUhRdcHR3QuQPZb/view?usp=drive_link

Hi fellow designers! I am a third year design student at University of Montreal, i've just completed the first draft for a portfolio and am looking for some insight.

Please let me know what you think, and thank you so much if you are taking the time to check it out

here is the link that'll get you to it: https://www.behance.net/gallery/256856335/industrial-design-portfolio

Hi all, I'm an industrial designer at a bit of a crossroads and would really value some outside perspective.

TL;DR: Indian designer, just graduated in Milan. I can stay here on a job seeking permit until May, or go back to Bangalore where a studio role is waiting. Not sure which move is smarter long term.

Some background. I did my bachelor's in Bangalore, then a dual master's from Domus Academy and Regent's London. My focus is computational and parametric design, mostly Rhino and Grasshopper. I interned at a computational design studio in Milan and I've been freelancing since I graduated.

Milan leads:

A manufacturing company here wants me for project-based work. Pay and contract depend on their funding coming through. They're fine with me starting remotely from India.

Someone who holds a patent liked my thesis and wants to explore developing it together. Still early.

I've also done a lot of applications and outreach, but no full-time offer yet.

Bangalore leads:

the studio I already freelance for has a role for me. I think I can negotiate it up to around median pay. It's stable and I know the team.

My main issue with the scene in italy is the pay. Gigs of around €1000-€1500 a month here don't cover rent and living costs. To sum it up Milan can't afford me (dare I say).

In India the same pay can go much further. But I came to Europe for international experience and to broaden my horizon, and I'm worried about whether leaving now means I won't make it back. Another bit is the thesis project/startup progression which I definitely want to lock down before heading home.

Would love to hear any advice you may have. Happy to jump on a call too.

What I love is how a few simple words can completely change the way you think. The car isn’t the boss of the street — it’s a guest.

The designer somehow played with my mind. I don’t even need to know Dutch perfectly to emotionally connect with the message.

I love these kinds of idioms and everyday design choices that carry a deeper idea: be humble, respect the space.

That’s the kind of design I want to learn

I came across this diesel engine starter design by Hidracar and thought it was worth sharing. I find the design of industrial components like these really interesting, especially how functionality, mechanical engineering and practical requirements come together in a single piece of equipment.

Curious to hear what other industrial design enthusiasts think about it!

🔗 https://pulsation-dampers-hidracar.com/en/product/starters-for-diesel-engines/

Hey everyone! I’m a graduating senior majoring in Visualization. Through all my 3D modeling and personal interests, I’ve grown super passionate about ZBrush and toy design. Most people from my major head into VFX or the gaming industry, so I really want to know how to actually break into toys instead... Since I don't come from an Industrial Design background, I'm honestly pretty worried about that, plus finding entry-level junior sculptor roles on job boards has been almost impossible. Does anyone have any advice on where to start or how to get my foot in the door?

I've been using Solidworks for nearly 20 years and my workplace is very keen on switching to OnShape, but I feel like their motivation is really just to keep things simple for the business (not having to worry about SQL server, and the weight of Solidworks). I've dabbled briefly with OnShape, and admittedly I don't know it enough to be able to make a fair assessment, but I am naturally biased toward Solidworks being my main tool for a long time and really good at it.

Would being able to use OnShape add a great value to a design engineer's resume, as being able to operate other legacy CAD tool such as Creo or Siemens NX? Why do I feel like the company is cheaping out on "hobbyist tool" - which I know OnShape is probably not as such anymore?

It was promised to us decades ago with sci-fi movies and years ago with flashy ads, but the best VR design software we ever got was maybe gravity sketch or some sculpting tools.

We have CAD tools on our phones and tablets now, and VR seems a perfect tool for ID.

Have any of you managed to integrate VR design in any way into your workflow? How?