My son plans to study ME, but really loves designing things on the computer. Likes creating prototypes of things on 3D printer. He likes to invent things and come up with concept designs. He’s involved with First Robotics and enjoys that, he’s a lead on the CAD/ design team. He is comfortable presenting ideas to large groups of people, kind of a people person combined with math guy. I don’t think he’d like to just sit at a desk all day coding, crunching #'s, but I’m not certain.
I’ve just started looking at schools for him to consider. I don’t know a lot about the engineering field. Is it better to get a ME degree and then focus on getting a masters in Design or something? I’m not going to force him into something, I just want to offer him some suggestions.
Is a dual degree program like the one mentioned above insanely difficult?
If you can suggest other schools which offer something similar I’d appreciate any suggestions. Thanks for your help!
“Design” as you describe isn’t really something for which you need a master’s degree, nor would it be common for such a degree to be offered. In fact, it only borderline requires a bachelor’s degree, to be honest. CAD work is certain a part of mechanical engineering, but typically as a means to an end rather than being a primary job responsibility most of the time.
If I’m being honest, I don’t honestly know what all these “design” programs really teach. I know that it seems like they are popping up at various schools but I have no idea what they offer and browsing their websites does not make it all that clear to me. It seems more heavily based in art than in science and engineering, with a bit more math than a typical art field.
Honestly, I don’t think it’s necessary for engineers, in general, to worry about these sorts of degrees. They aren’t the same thing and don’t have the same goals. Engineers do plenty of design on their own that is grounded in the physics that underlies their particular engineering disciplines. Airplanes aren’t designed by industrial designers (though they may be involved in the design of things like the seating arrangement and the aesthetic look of the interior). The same can be said of cars, bridges, computers, power tools, etc. Industrial designers may be involved with those sorts of products in the non-critical components or in trying to make them more aesthetically pleasing, but the design that makes them work is done by engineers.
I’d be happy to listen to anyone who has another take on the matter, but in my experience, I see few, if any, engineers that have minors or other degrees in industrial design, and even fewer who actually need said degrees.
Looking at that major, I would say that it positions graduates for one of two roles: advising the actual designers on how to improve their products (human factors, reliability, things like that) or doing market research into new products that someone else would actually design (think Steve Jobs). The first is a common job but pays relatively poorly in my experience. The second is extremely hard to get into because it is a relatively high part of the business strata that you generally need either experience or something else really exceptional to get considered for.
Design is a core part of engineering curricula. Climbing the design ladder usually requires starting at the bottom, designing components and subsystems, THEN designing whole products. Schools often advertise programs meant to let you “jump the queue” but very few seem to be successful in actually making that happen.
It’s more about the form and how people interact with it, than the details of the inner workings that make it function. Think architecture, but for stuff.
Unfortunately, “design” is a word used in a lot of places. Most of them would not be confused with regard to the education/training of the person doing the work, such as designing a jacket vs designing a gas turbine. But unfortunately, industrial design and design engineering are two that, due to the terminology, are easily confused.
The title “designer” translates to many different roles and responsibilities depending on the company and the industry. I worked in the aerospace world and there the “designers” were degreed engineers, typically with a degree in mechanical engineering. {My company had a separate category for non-degreed “draftsmen”, who as the title implies did nothing but drafting (CAD work)}.
I worked in big companies where specialization was rampant. The designer would address the form, fit an function of the part he as designing; do a few preliminary calculations to see if he/she was in the ball park and then hand the design off to the various specialized analysts to check it out. You’d go back and forth between the designer and the analysts to get a design that met all requirements. At that point, the designer or maybe a draftsperson would complete the drawing and release it.
In some small companies, I’ve seen the designer draw the design, do all the calculations required and then release the design on his own.
Bottom line; A degree in ME is sufficient to become a “designer”. But as always, the more knowledge one has the more valuable one can be. So, if the RPI program matches what he wants to do as far as design goes, then great. But look at the details of the content to decide. My take on the RPI program is that if one wanted to design the engines for a jet aircraft, it doesn’t have the type of content that would be useful. More “hard core” fluids, materials, dynamics, etc. would be more useful. But if one wanted to design a new aircraft interior (i.e. seats, integrated entertainment systems, and the like) then the “human factors” type of content it seems to have would be relevant.
@HPuck35 thanks for your thoughts! My son has a bit of interest in both areas truthfully. He loves his classes in engineering graphics, but also likes some of the ME stuff they do with robotics. He likes math and art. That is why I brought up the RPI program. I guess we’ll have to schedule a visit and meet with the department there to get a first hand take on it. I think he’d probably like that dual program. I talked with him a bit about it yesterday and he agreed it looks interesting.
I’m glad I posted this and got some good insight. Thanks!
My son is a graduate of ME from the FU and now he is a “plane designer aka engineer”. They have the specs, formats, aero-dynamics and engineering calculations to follow. The idea is the plane to fly then the looks will come in second. Therefore, Just like others have said it previously, I think that ME degree is sufficient enough to do designing concepts. Why bother to have two or dual degrees. One is enough and one with super duper high GPA will be lots better than two or dual degrees with marginal GPAs. The proof is in the pudding when it comes to entry level jobs where competition is fierce and the one with incredible GPA will have the advantage(s).
To OP: Then again, please be advised that studying engineering is hard and aiming for incredible GPA is not easy, is even harder; let alone to compound it with another degree.
A GPA of 3.0 or higher is usually an absolute minimum for most big companies, with a 3.4 or so to really have a good shot at a job. However, a super high GPA isn’t always necessary. I’ve turned away 4.0 applicants that had no people skills and hired others with OK GPAs that had the people skills and the enthusiasm for the job. So, a high GPA is good but don’t obsess over it.
My D’s studying engineering at RPI (but not ME - she’s ChemE). A number of mech engineers do double-major with the industrial design program (the one you linked to), providing a BS in mech eng plus a BS in design. Bear in mind, that it will be A LOT of work. Just engineering on its own is tough at RPI, much less a dual. But it can be done and in fact their design program is specifically designed to be able to dual major with ME. Just make sure he’s up for the challenge and ready to live in the library and survive on coffee and 4 hour nights. At least he’ll take comfort when looking at the Architecture undergrads who have it even worse Okay, I’m exaggerating, but not by much. On the upside, RPI has a great reputation with the industry.
That’s true, it’s probably an insane workload for the dual degree. He is hoping to play varsity soccer as well, so just getting by ME studies will be challenging enough.
I wonder if there are ways he could study the design stuff during summers, or figure out some minor in design? I just think he’d like to take those types of classes. but I know he wants to study ME first. That is a true necessity, get the BS in ME. Figure out design stuff secondarily.
@RightCoaster if you’re planning on visiting RPI then I suggest you ask them specifically about how difficult it is to fit in a dual ME + Design major in terms of number of credits, scheduling, especially if trying to fit in a sport as well. It might in fact be quite doable. My D’s experience has been a very heavy study load, especially sophomore year, but ChemE is the broadest Eng major with the most requirements, and apparently other Eng students have a bit more time on their hands.
Okay, I’m exaggerating, but not by much. On the upside, RPI has a great reputation with the industry.