January 22, 2007
by Sarah Christensen
Local Education Columnist
Imagine what it would be like to be involved with this season's smash hit, must-have toy! This is the world of industrial design and manufacturing, where the toy designers get together with industrial designers and manufacturers to work out the best design for a product and how best to manufacture it.
You'll need to be able to think freely and be a good problem solver at the same time. Having established the nature of the item to be produced, you'll need to draw on your industrial design training to be able to produce several possible and economically viable alternatives. You may need to consider color, texture, and manufacturing limitations. Of course, if you are specializing in toys, safety is paramount. Over the years, you too could be the proud owner of an industrial design portfolio that boasts work for the best-selling brands from Barbie to Harry Potter, and Pokemon to Spongebob Squarepants.
Sleepless Seattle
Seattle is the ideal place to train for your design consulting career. As quirky as its most famous fictional resident, Dr. Frasier Crane, Seattle can offer you plenty of hobbies as well as inspiration for your industrial design portfolio. You can choose from any number of classical music offerings and theatre productions. If you tire of the hustle and bustle of city life, the surrounding countryside offers the tranquil natural beauty of mountains and lakes. Being in the northernmost reaches of North America, you can also enjoy the benefits of winter sports during your years of study.
About the Author
Sarah Christensen is the Managing Director of an Internet based footwear company. She has worked for various international corporations including 3M. After many years of corporate sales and marketing, she devoted her time to business development specializing in small start-ups and e-commerce. Sarah graduated from King's College, University of London with a degree in Chemistry and Business Studies.
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