Speaking out to all that have entered the industry through a distinguished university. Asking how long have you guys been in the field? What would you classify your job title to this date? Do you still have room to move in your company or looking to open yourself as a freelance agent or even your own buisness? Are you considering changing your career? I've read a lot of posts under this forum and found that many still have the drive and motivation to keep creating. Though it's apparent that there is a fine line in this industry of who stays and who gos. Though my ultimate question is that to all that began, like me right now, having that bright light of opportunity shining on you and having that apparent notion that your dreams are arms reach away; how do you feel now? Ultimately did you reach the dream or is it still a fantasy? Major words of advice (please) rather than the common, "Don't just go to school and live life, make your life creating in school." or "If you can draw/sketch what the company wants to see, then s**t your hired."
I understand that a solid education can score the good job. I also understand this is the real world and this industry seems almost cut throat and hell bent to keep a prototype secret and prides itself from keeping it away from competition let alone media. Though hard work, dedication, individual creativity, exposed to the freedom of the limits of physics itself; isn't that what the industry is all about?
In short I have three schools that I am currently researching and might create a masters in transportation in steps, 1 Cal State San Jose,CA to start a mechanical engineer degree and start building a solid foundation for my portfolio. Which then I could transfer to Academy of the Arts San Francisco to finalize my work and to get positive critiuqes from professional professors. From there I can take it in stride, either through internships or entry level contracts out in the world. Eventually comeback or choose a platform in which I can hone my skills and exceed into a masters at art center or in europe then aim for the big big bucks. If people have input on art center and academy arts that would be appreciated.
Where I get held up, design to me is a conceptual idea that is put forth through illustration then some sort of media to create realism more or less something that is a step closer to tangible. Simple scenario of what I see happening. Designer has a new concept for interior door handle, the piece is a billet handle chrome dipped, look straight at a door, picture a handle, not what you get in a Plymouth Horizon, a handle that was mean't to be in that car, factory angel wing doors out of a mclaren F1 could work. The tip facing forward to firewall, the concept to open, is to pull back to a 90* angle and pull out towards driver, this move should be effortless to the occupant, to release the lock. When the grip of the handle is released by hand, think pressure sensors, door swings open, handle auto slides back from the pull out position, into locking position, door closes and handle moves back to orginal position, exterior handle is different. I'm sure someone has thought of it, though I'm pulling it out of the what if box. Now the engineer attacks me on seven different safety protocols, my budget team is shaking their heads as I explain it. My chief manager has a smug look on his face and is trying to figure out if it's a mistake or something that could be worked with and save some pennies on the side. Is this real world, a beauracacy of what ifs that are fine tuned with why nots?
