How to Start a Career in Automotive Design
Automotive design is largely concerned with the development of road vehicles. Automotive designers create concepts using sketches and computer-aided design programs for the visual appearance, as well as functional performance, of vehicles.
It's a common predicament. You're 16 years old and desperate to become a car designer but have little idea about how to achieve that burning ambition. Well, discovering Car Design News is a good start, but if you're serious about training as a designer to work in a major car studio then you need to do a course in Transportation Design, a branch of Industrial Design (sometimes known as Product Design). Whereas several hundred design schools around the world run Industrial Design courses, only around 20 word wide offer courses that specialization in Transportation or Automotive Design and most of those are listed here in the Careers section of the CDN website.
So where should I apply?
Car design has always been one of the most competitive design careers around and the struggle starts with gaining a place on one of these courses. Competition for places is fierce and schools can often afford to choose the best applicants. Simply sending in an application isn't enough, in addition you're going to need a good portfolio of work to back up your application.
Amongst the variety of courses on offer, you need to select one that suits your requirements. Obviously a school that's reasonably close to where you live is one starting point, although that may not be so easy if you're outside a region where a course is located. The philosophy and reputation of the course and the teaching faculty are also important factors.
Some schools have strong links to nearby car companies or motor industry, where practicing designers will be involved on a part-time basis or for sponsored projects. A few of them have a stronger engineering bias, others may have more impressive modeling and workshop facilities or 24 hour studio access. It's important to visit a few school degree shows and talk to students at the school to find out what the course entails, what the classes are like and to get in touch with the applications department early on. Many schools have open days and arranging to visit on one of these days is thoroughly recommended before making any decisions.
What qualifications do I need?
Most Transportation Design courses will require you to demonstrate your creative and artistic talent before short-listing you for an interview or offering a place, so good 2D drawing skills remain the prerequisite requirement. In terms of high school subjects, art and design qualifications are therefore an absolute must, so too is being able to work fluently with numbers, in order to cope with basic calculations for engineering topics, such as 3D volumes, aerodynamics or model scales. Therefore, good grades in math’s or physics are the next key priority. After that, the ability to express your thoughts fluently in writing is a strong element of many course structures, with research reports or dissertations often forming a key element of final year studies. So, good grades in your national language and grammar should also feature in your high school qualifications.
Foreign languages are increasingly valued, as speaking only one language is likely to severely restrict your career options upon graduation. Don't forget, the car industry is totally international in outlook and designers will typically work in several countries during the course of their careers. So, if you want to become the next Chris Bangle or Frank Stephenson a few languages might help...
Application and Course Structure
You need to prepare a good portfolio of design work, usually A2 or A3 format, although a digital portfolio on a CD-ROM may be accepted for overseas applications to schools. While computer skills such as Adobe PhotoShop or Rhino are increasingly expected, these should be seen as an additional design and representation tools, not replacements for basic 2D sketching skills. Remember, drawing is still the language of designers.
Most undergraduate courses are of 3 or 4 years duration, sometimes with the inclusion of an internship placement with a design studio in the third year. Courses usually offer several routeways (or majors) and students can decide these later on in the course once the core design skills have been taught. Typically the first year will be spent following a general Industrial Design programme of drawing skills and design theory, with later years focusing on more specialised presentation techniques, model making and computer skills.
What about an MA course?
These are for designers who wish to hone their skills further. The normal requirement is for a first Degree in Transportation or Industrial Design, but other areas of design such as graphics, furniture, architecture or interior design are generally accepted too. The best known course is probably the RCA in London but other courses now exist in other major design schools. In terms of being hired, there may not be a big advantage over a BA graduate, but many companies will offer a slightly higher starting salary or job grade. Another factor is that, when jobs are tight, companies may favour the broader design background and more mature approach to design that an MA graduate should be able to offer.
I'm an engineer. Can I become a designer?
Not as easily as you might think. It's a popular misconception that having an engineering background will be a big advantage, but that's not necessarily the case. In many ways, the requirements are quite different. The ability to get highly creative ideas down on paper fluidly is not something that can be easily taught and the rational approach of engineering may hamper more creative solutions at the early stages. It's a lot easier to take an original sketch idea and seek to make it more practical than taking a mundane-but-feasible theme and try to inject some flair into it.
Another point to consider is that the ratio of engineers to designers in most car companies is around 20:1, so there are far better chances of being hired as an engineer than as a designer. Companies increasingly need good, creative engineers and, if your overwhelming desire is to work in the car industry, engineering may offer an alternative route into the business and prove just as satisfying as a career. Studio Engineers work closely with designers and modelers in the design studio to ensure that both the design and engineering objectives are met.
Step 1: Prepare for the College Admissions Process
Design schools often require applicants to submit portfolios, or sample bodies of work, as part of the admissions process. While in high school, aspiring automotive designers can choose electives in art, drawing or drafting to help them develop their portfolios, which may include 2D drawings or 3D art pieces. Some design schools also offer summer programs to help high school students prepare for college design programs.
Step 2: Earn a Bachelor's Degree
Employers generally expect automotive designers to possess at least bachelor's degrees in design or engineering fields. Schools offer 4-year degrees in relevant majors such as transportation design, which is a part of industrial design, and mechanical engineering with automotive design concentrations. Transportation design students may take such courses as 3D design and modeling, design theory and vehicle systems. Curricula for automotive mechanical engineering students may include coursework in design for manufacturing, power train systems and vehicle dynamics.
Step 3: Participate in an Internship
Automobile manufacturers offer internships for students interested in working in the automotive industry. Working as an intern is a great opportunity to develop a professional portfolio, which is critical to securing permanent employment after graduation. Internships may also lead to future employment, either at the company offering the internship or through the development of industry contacts.
Step 4: Earn a Graduate Degree
Due to the increasing importance placed on the role products play in a company's business plan, prospective automotive designers with business skills are more desirable in today's market. After earning their bachelor's degrees, graduates may want to consider pursuing master's degrees in business administration to make themselves more marketable to employers. Those wanting to further their automotive design knowledge can also pursue master's degrees in a design or engineering field.
How do I choose my best Car Design School or College?
How to choose the right Design School.
This is the time everybody is searching for a good Design school to attend next academic year. In Transportation Design , in some ways, it is easier to choose because there are less schools. At the same time all these schools are in competition with each others and offer similar programs, similar methods and similar contacts.
Now the question is: how do I choose my Transportation Design School?
There are some Design schools that are very famous in this discipline like: In USA Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CCS in Detroit. In Europe we could name Pforzheim Schule in Germany, or State College in ParisFrance, or IAAD and IED in TurinItaly, or UMEAUniversity in Sweden, or MAMI International in MoscowRussia. In Asia TCA Tokyo in Japan and so on.
Now lets’ be careful because all these schools have “similarities” but also “differences” and sometime those differences are important.
The main element to make your choice is: school reputation.
There are about 3 school categories:
1. the best schools
2. the good schools
3. the show-off schools
The best schools
When we talk about “the best Design schools” we talk about: history, professional background, glorious past and present, great organization, great teaching staff, major automotive companies sponsoring projects, internship program, hard entry portfolio selection, great computer labs, full model shop including paint room, placement office for alumni, foreign office organization, housing students office, media communication office for school publicity and relations. The best schools offer a Bachelor and a Master program. I could continue on my list, but this is enough. Few examples are: Art Center College of Design Pasadena CA and CCS in Detroit.
The good schools
The good schools are those, even if they do not have a super organization, capable to produce good students who find a real design job once they are out of school. Those design schools in general have good facilities, their model shop is small therefore ok for clay modeling without painting, they have a hard entry portfolio selection, they have good teaching staff (the best are the schools near car design centers). Those schools also offer automotive design sponsored projects and internship programs, their cost is less important than “the best schools”, however they offer a recognized “diploma” or “bachelor” in Transportation Design such as Master programs.
The show-off schools
During last 10 years some academic Institutions understood that Car Design could be a real business to make money and lots of communication on media. Those are the schools I call “the show-off “. Lets analyse together some details.
In general those schools “do not ask for an entry portfolio selection” or they do, but accept everybody anyway. Often they have 2 starting classes with a total of 40/60 starting students, this is too much because the school cannot assure the quality of teaching needed for a transportation design course. In car design the teacher has to work next to the student, if the teacher has 15/20 students he/she can do it. If he/she has 25/30 students , it is more difficult. What type of sponsored projects they offer? Who is sponsoring in those schools? How many students arrive at the diploma? All 40? How many real talents out of 40? How many found a job out of 40 in car design after school?
In general those schools have a great headquarter full of Design gadgets and architecture, they have good staff that knows well the “bla bla bla” to tell, very often they are expensive if compared to the best schools. In general, in their communication, they often say they offer the “best program ever”. Remember those questions:
Why do they not have an entry portfolio hard talent selection? What type of sponsored projects they offer? Who is sponsoring in those schools? How many students arrive at the diploma, all 40? How many real talents out of 40? How many found a job out of 40 in car design centers after school?
In Conclusion
You do not have to follow one of the “best design schools” to be a respected car designer, you must make the good choice between all the available design schools in today’s panorama.
Important things not to forget to orientate your choice:
- the entry portfolio selection is extremely important because it assures you a quality environment. It is much better a competitive ambience than an easy one.
- Facilities organization in terms of: computer labs, technology, model shops. Very important to assure you the quality of your projects and models.
- Sponsors and internship programs, very important to prepare yourself to start approaching the real world and find a design job.
- The type of “diploma” or “bachelor” recognized in US and Europe (EU). It has to be also recognized by major car companies. This aspect is very important to assure you a good evolution in career. It is important to be compatible with most professional designer contracts for a career evolution.
- How much to spend for my instruction? Lets’ put it this way: as long as it is for our future and we work our ass of for it… it is to be considered like an investment that will be repaid back…as long as we have talent and we work our ass off!
Good luck!
18 Excellent Design Schools From Around the World
If you are a designer who is looking to transition from a hobby to a career, choosing the right design school may be an important decision. Today, we have gathered a list of some excellent design schools from around the world. Each school listed has some amazing programs in several design disciplines. If you have been toying with the idea of going to a design school, than this article is definitely for you.
North America
Art Center College of Design, Pasadena CA
The Art Center College of Design is located in sunny California and has been cranking out amazing designers for over 80 years. In the schools statistics report it notes that 88% of the students who graduated from the basic undergrad program have landed jobs, so that is definitely a positive. This College specializes in Advertising, Graphic Design, and Illustration programs. Some notable alumni that have graduated from the college are Dustin Edward Arnold & Sandeep Menon.
Parsons School of Design, New York NY
Next we will travel to New York and show you the Parsons School of Design. Their curriculum trains students to be able to solve complex problems as well as creating new innovative approaches. This school pretty much covers every facet of design from Fashion to Art history. Parsons has produced big names such as Marc Jacobs & Norman Rockwell, this is definitely the art school to attend if you can get into the prestigious institution.
Pacific Design Academy, British Columbia Victoria Canada
Only about 19 years old, this Canadian institution has made a name for itself by providing some of the best design education in Canada. This school focuses on Graphic design as well as architecture and fashion, and its classes are lead by some of the best designers in the area. So if you live in Canada and are thinking about attending a design school then you might want to consider this one.
International Academy of Design and Technology, Toronto Canada
This is another Canadian institution providing some of the best art education out there. This school focuses how to prepare students to apply their design skills in real life situations. The curriculum focuses on all the basic types of design as well as video game creation and fashion marketing. This is another solid school to consider if you are living in the area.
Pratt Institute, Brooklyn NY
Pratt Institute located in New York has a huge selection of design associated programs. From the common Graphic Design to Digital Arts, and Interior design, it is all covered at Pratt. The institute has a long list of distinguished alumni that you can view here.
Rhode Island School Of Design, Providence RI
The Rhode Island School of Design is another well-known college that focuses on Graphic Designing. If you choose to enroll you will be engulfed in the fine arts learning about everything from Typography, to Design Theory. You can earn your Bachelors of Graphic Design in 5 years at the school, which will mean you are proficient in the arts. This school also has a very long list of noteworthy alumni which you can check out here.
Europe
Central St. Martins College of Art & Design, London UK
Now that we wrapped up North America we can move onto Europe, and Central St. Martins is a great art and design college in the UK. This is one of the more prominent design schools in Europe having ties to many creative industries around the world. This school offers many different design programs that you can choose from if you decide to go. The notable alumni’s that have graduated from this college can be viewed
University of Art & Design, Helsinki Finland
The University is over 138 years old and is dedicated to many different forms of design like media art, and motion graphics. You will definitely get a well-rounded education in this school because of its renowned curriculum.
Umea Institute of Design, Sweden
This Swedish institute has a multitude of interesting design orientated classes and is renowned as the best art school in all of Sweden. The institute was even featured as one of the best design schools in the world 2 years running by BusinessWeek. Only about 14 students are accepted annually to their bachelors program so this is definitely a hard school to get into, but you won’t regret it if you do.
Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands
With their school mantra being “Mind over Matter” we can already tell this school is dedicated to learning. Although it is not known for its graphic design program, the school is recognized for architecture and industrial design.
Florence Design Academy, Florence Italy
This design academy in Italy is focusing on the future of design, it has amazing international programs accepting many students from other countries to come and study in Italy. The school has some impressive galleries of past students work in fields like Graphic and Industrial design. Classes are equipped with the latest models of all your favorite programs, so look into this school if you are in the area.
Créapôle Ecole de Creation Manqagement, Paris France
This academy located in the heart of Paris trains designers to think ahead and focus on the future of their fields. All the basics are covered in this school and then some other alternative majors as well. This is a great school for those who want to or already do live in France, so make sure to check it out if you are interested.
Asia
National Institute of Design, India
Our first Institute in Asia was recently rated one of the top 25 Schools on the continent. The NID focuses in providing its students with the very best design programs. They even offer some postgraduate work in 14 different design fields. The school only consists of about 300+ students, so it is a difficult one to get accepted into.
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong China
The core values of this institute are centered around what they call Humanistic Designs. The university preps its 1200 students to become strategic thinkers in regards to their art. This school has taught many now prominent designers which you can view
Tongji University, Shanghai China
Even though this university is in China it offers a broad range of international programs. While its main art focus is in architecture it still offers classes for advertising, graphic design, and animation.
MIT’s Institute of Design, Maharashtra India
This 25-acre campus features one of the best design schools in India. The university explains what it means to be a designer and then teaches the students how to be a good artist, as well as a thinker. The school features all the major design fields and also focuses on making their students as well rounded as possible.
DYP DC CENTER FOR AUTOMOTIVE RESEARCH AND STUDIES, Maharashtra India
It is one of those rare institutes which, right at its inception, start at the top. It is an exceptional combination of the educational legacy of DY Patil Group and legendary automotive styling expertise of Mr. Dilip Chhabria. The Center will be a premium interdisciplinary Automotive Design, Engineering and Management institution, thus covering all the domains within Automobile Industry. This is what makes it unique and first of its kind.
Dilip Chhabria will be the chief mentor at the DYP-DC Center and will drive its ethos, design philosophy and curriculum that are rooted in the actual industry practice. DYP – DC Center for Automotive Research and Studies will start with offering undergraduate and post-graduate course in automotive styling from August 2010 . The course will be for a period of 3 years and 2 years respectively.
Australia
Australian Academy of Design, Melbourne Australia
The Australian Academy of Design will give you a wide selection of majors to choose from in the art field. Each discipline has its own bachelors program and a strong curriculum surrounding it, this school immerses the student in a great environment. The school also supports international students, so it is a plus for anyone who wants to study in Australia.
Curtin University of Technology, Perth Australia
This massive school holds a whopping 44,000 students but it is considered to be one of the best design schools in Australia. This university also offers an international program for overseas students, and its current courses focus on Photography, Graphic Design, and even Jewelry. This is another great choice if you are in the area and want to go to a design school.
One big omission here i.e Raffles Design International
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