If I had a time machine I would go back to the year 2006, sit myself down and pour out some priceless pieces of advice in regards to many things. But above all I would pass on the following 5 tips that would help me succeed in my Industrial Design degree from the first year.

Alas, no such glorious contraption exists (yet!). So, in lieu of becoming a quantum physicist (or whoever it is that deals with time travel and the like), I have decided to embrace my student readers in my weary, final year arms and pass on some golden knowledge that I wish I had known (or if I knew, had taken to heart) when I started on this journey we call Higher Education.

Article by Sarah-Jayne McCreath – Twitter – Blog –  17.03.2010

1. Plan Ahead

The number one thing I insist you do is try and map out what it is you want to get from your degree. This is also a great opportunity to practice your mind mapping skills, as you will use them ALOT over the next few years! What sector of Industrial Design do you picture yourself working in at the end?

Keep in mind that there is more to ID than just product styling and aesthetics. Over the course of your degree you’ll gain insight into many different areas of design, (research and development, human factors, interaction design, business and marketing), so it’s not essential to know exactly where your strengths lie at first, but it is a good idea to look at what your interests are now and choose minors or electives that build upon them. If you like reading and writing, you may want to get into research and theoretical subject areas. If you like getting your hands dirty or enjoy working with 3d software you may be leaning towards a degree with an emphasis on manufacturing.

Taking stock of what you like, what you are good at and where you want to end up will make it easier to carve out a more successful and fulfilling degree.

2. Get to Know Your Classmates

Knowledge shared is knowledge gained. I think that’s a phrase? Anyway, when you are in class, look around you. It may seem that the pale, foam model obsessed dude next to the window is a creep, but in fact, he may have some really interesting insight into that concept you are rolling around in your brain cavity.

Every student in that class is in the same position as you, and helping each other out is mutually advantageous. Getting other perspectives on your conundrum can open up a heap of options for you and your concepts. You’ll find that each person in the class has their strengths and weaknesses, so it’s a good idea to get acquainted so that you know who to go to if you have a specific problem. Maybe you need help with some ergonomic factors, and that girl in the 2nd row is a nut for Henry Dreyfus? Maybe you need help with some CAD issues and that aforementioned dude by the window is an ace at Solidworks?

Don’t think of it as using people, think of it as skill sharing! Besides, you might be awesome at something they need assistance with in the future! Also, you might make some friends.

3. Get to Know Your Tutors

Chances are, the people who are tutoring you have done quite well at the study you are now enduring, so take advantage of this. Find out what they are interested in, and they are likely to be happy to talk about it with you. This gives you a chance to employ their knowledge and also, to know what they look for in designs, leading to better outcomes on your marks. Once again, this isn’t using someone; it is grasping the opportunity to gain some insight into their field. Try not to go overboard and bug them too much, as they are probably PHD candidates that have bigger workloads than you, but don’t be afraid to ask questions. Be personable and open to suggestions. Again, you might make some friends.

4. Don’t Be Afraid of Your Lecturers

These people are not the under-lords of academic Hades. These people are passionate, well informed beacons of knowledge. But they are also mere mortals, who are usually happy to answer questions and give advice. They are in their position because they have a great insight into the subject matter at hand. If you are a recent high school graduate, or socially awkward, it can seem like they are unapproachable, grumpy authority figures. While respect should be given to them, it is also recommended that you actually try talking to them.

5. Share Your Ideas

Sharing ideas is not losing ideas (another phrase?). It provides you with great possibilities for feedback and advice. Talk to your classmates, tutors, lecturers, work-mates, friends and family and share what you are doing. It might seem weird to talk to non-designer types about what’s happening in your class, but in fact it can add a new perspective to your concepts. Non-designers are great sounding boards as they force you to explain your work in more articulate and simple terms, and can often provide really original insight. Don’t be afraid to be wrong, that just means you have an opportunity to gain some more knowledge.

Also, it’s a good idea to keep track of and share your work in an on-line portfolio. Sharing your concepts on-line means you have a wider net for catching feedback and comments, and it could lead to work opportunities in the future. It’s much easier to direct a prospective employer to an on-line portfolio than to have to hurriedly compile a huge PDF file in your final year and e-mail it off piece by piece. I recommend using Coroflot or Krop. Both are free to host a simple portfolio and look great. You could also put some work up here on Embody 3d!

And remember, above all else try to have fun with it. It may be your degree, but it is not your life work. That’ll come later. Who knows? You might even make some friends… with academic benefits!