iab

Impressive.



I started in consultancies. Started my own (about 5 years). Then moved to and currently in corporate. Been doing medical devices 95% of the time. Problem with your own gig is it is sales 50% of the time. I don't like sales.

While I do mostly hardware, I'd say 20% of the work is UX. I prefer hardware to the software because I have more control of the process. I can give my .02 on mold design or where to source labor or determine the final CMF. With UX, I throw it over teh fence to the code guys and pray they are on time and on budget.

I would recommend DD to expand his search into new product development (npd) instead of just ID. You get the front-end research & marketing, the ID, the engineering and manufacturing. My current role is management but our designers/engineers/scientists wear many hats in the development process. I think those coming from an ID background have an easier transition into those other roles and responsibilities.

iab

Oprah had a "dream" jobs episode 20+ years ago. Some was some cool stuff. But one was a car designer. She was maybe 2-3 years into her career. She told Oprah her proudest accomplishment at that time was her steering wheel design was going to be used in a car (I think GM). You know she literally drew thousands of circles for over a year before that was made the spec. The only thing more tedious (and it is debatable) would be working the assembly line making the steering wheel.

iab

Someone needs to run those 3D printers. Cool stuff. Our guy is between my office and home and I can pick up parts on my ride home.

Machining is dead with 3D printing. I can get plastic prototypes in 24 hours for $30 with OK material characteristics. But there are still a few "old-school" model shops out there.

But an ID degree is a bit overkill for that and you will peak at $40-$50K at that job. Not to say that is bad, especially that is what you want to do. But if you get into the business end of npd, your take-home will be higher.

Seabass_First

super tough to get a car design gig... not impossible but unless oyu are going to The Art Center or Royal College is an up hill battle

nesteel 

Someone needs to generate the solid models for those 3D printers also. I prefer that over running machines. Although I'd go back to that to feed myself if need be. That or back to fabrication. But I much prefer being the CAD geek.

repechage

Art Center no longer has the reputation they once did.

DD, I would make as many trips a possible to see any and all flatwork on display around the classrooms. And if there is a show of student work, Senior Show, etc. be sure to see it.
Some schools have a Design Lecture Series, make those events too.

I knew I was going to be a designer when I was 6, but that was an exception.

Drillium Dude 

Well, I'd certainly like to make enough money to be comfortable (along with my cat, of course). As the years go by, I find I'm less interested in collecting more "stuff" than looking for experiences (as long as the body obliges). A job that I can earn enough for a good living and interesting vacations, coupled with my retirement check, well, that would suit me just fine.

Lot's of good info here - I plan on checking it all out along the way. And yes, UW does have displays and shows which I will attend in the future to satisfy my own curiosity.

DD

jeirvine 

I've heard that the factory-drilled (actually cast with holes) Super Record levers actually weigh more than the un-drilled Nuovo Record levers. So yes - plenty of meat there. If that's the case, then true weight weenies should drill out NR levers.

Drillium Dude 

Been there, done that



DD

repechage

You heard urban legend. The bodes of both are cast. The levers on Super Record have holes that were pre punched before forming.
There was one guy who insisted he had post formed drilled Super Record levers… but there is always one who is exceptional.
The weight difference is very small.
Back in the day we called it Stupid Record as one had to be to pay so much extra.

The chainrings looked cool, the rear derailleur too.
I thought that the headset might be slightly more durable as the races could be heat treated more precisely.

repechage

I like those, before Super Record, modificati like that was very coo.

Drillium Dude 

And here's a couple pairs of SR levers that I've done. I prefer modding SR levers as a lot of the work is already done for me!





DD

Drillium Dude 

Thank you; this was an old commission job and he just saw all that "blank canvas" and asked me to come up with something interesting.

I have to admit, tho, I'm tired of doing those triangular openings in front of the barrel adjusters. Too much work even though they really do make the levers pop.

DD

Drillium Dude 

I have heard a similar story, but I've also heard from Campagnolo history that the lever stock was indeed pierced first, then folded, giving some of the holes their characteristic elongated look. Never owned any drilled-looking SR levers myself unless I've attacked them with my Dremel

I agree that the chainrings and the second-gen SR rear derailleur were truly good looking stuff. Oh, and the single-bolt seatpost, too - pure gold as regards design and ease-of-use.

DD

repechage

As a designer, you have to justify ornament sometimes… The holes increase grip while riding in the rain….
As to the side cutouts… they are to help with Brand Signature Identity….

It's not all about design you know.

gomango

I'm in deep, deep like with these DD.

Really sexy.

Otis

My '73 Italvega Superlight had what I assumed were 1st gen SR levers. They definitely had holes that looked drilled, well at least they were round and did not look like they were punched. But maybe the dies actually made round holes when they were new?

I always assumed that the prototype or pre production/very early production were drilled but drilled on the flat sheet stock before being die-formed into the lever. This would have been easy to layout and drill. There's no way they were drilling them after they were formed, that would make no sense as they could pull a batch of flat stock, stack them and drill a dozen + at a time then put them back in the line to get formed.

All the post formed panto levers you see from the period with drilled sides never have a straight row of holes on them. Only Jeff and I do that

rustyproject

DD You are getting great advise on what to take in school. Your response at #57 will get you plenty of jobs. I have a 30 year old IT degree and still steer friends toward this career path. You might also look into Industrial and systems engineering. I'm pretty sure your school offers that as well. I know you are going to laugh but try and learn some other languages. That opens doors that you might need.

cs1

I'm in there with you. Can you imagine how they would improve the look of current shifters?

gomango

Yes, I believe they would!

In fact, DD did some of his fine work on a set of Ergos for me that are on a nice Kvale of mine.

They never fail to get positive comments from folks at the shop and on rides.

cs1

Of course that means you have to post pics or it didn't happen.

Drillium Dude 

Oh, it happened:



That's the only other Ergopower lever mod I've ever done (besides the specially-themed Davidson project), and in this case we were more concerned with cleaning up crash-damage. The slots were a "wtf - why not?" addition

DD

Drillium Dude 

Agreed - there's a lot of scope for modification on modern brifters. I wouldn't want to go too crazy, but...

DD

cs1

Very nice brifters. I wonder how the CF would clean up?

Drillium Dude 

Ooh - not going there! CF is what it is without adding holes with which to accelerate its demise

DD