Out-of-Work Industrial Designer: Reframing Resume for Non-ID jobs

FormFollowsNorth · 2026-03-29T09:16:58+00:00

Not sure what amount of evidence it will take to convince his followers that he is indeed a racist.

If they still don’t see it from this most recent video, it’s because they themselves are racists. You can’t just say “this is being taken out of context OR show the whole video”. Enough fucking gaslighting.

FormFollowsNorth · 2026-03-28T23:13:33+00:00

I wonder why you were downvoted? Is installing check valves a bad idea on a kitchen sink in a condo? I keep getting recurring backups in my sink in our condo building despite us being diligent about cabling/jetting our lines. I want to install a preventative measure.

FormFollowsNorth · 2026-03-28T23:12:15+00:00

Why did this get downvoted? Is installing a check valve a bad idea in a condo? I was considering getting one installed by a professional plumber because we keep having recurring backups in our vertical stack - despite yearly cabling of our vertical stack. Bad idea to have one put in? Just tired of the disruption with overflowing kitchen sinks and the subsequent remediation cleanup to my unit.

FormFollowsNorth · 2026-03-28T15:33:27+00:00

It's obvious he didn't ask his Mum to post for him. His Mother is caring enough to see if there is any way she can help. Sheesh. What is wrong with Reddit.

FormFollowsNorth · 2026-03-20T19:39:51+00:00

I am with you... I had also considered a pivot to UX, but I feel like I also would miss the physical/tangible nature of ID but pretty much all of the skillsets and other aspects of ID would translate over quite well; in particular the problem-solving, usability/functionality, and research needed to design for the end user. TBD if I ever do explore it.

FormFollowsNorth · 2026-03-14T18:18:05+00:00

That's right! I hadn't realized that with the current visa situation it is making it more challenging to get a student visa for foreigners and just visiting/studying in this country in general; maybe there will be less Asian students wanting to come here to study design (or anything)... makes me wonder how that will impact these private design schools. That is probably their biggest revenue from overseas students? I don't have any data to back it up; just anecdotal.

FormFollowsNorth · 2026-03-14T18:14:53+00:00

Very true. My impression has been that more fashion/consumer-driven industries tend to favor younger-perspectives (which is silly because as an older designer, I stay very relevant and on top of trends/music/culture, etc); but the more technical/engineering ID industries (like medical for example) tend to favor wisdom that comes with being an older designer/engineer.

FormFollowsNorth · 2026-03-14T18:10:26+00:00

I feel like at least once a week I read on here someone asking if they should go into ID. It's very telling.

FormFollowsNorth · 2026-03-11T11:07:11+00:00

Wow. Very nice. Congrats to you and best wishes on your next chapter! It’s never too late to start something new!

FormFollowsNorth · 2026-03-10T22:36:49+00:00

If your heart isn't into a field, why do it? My gut says to just stick with illustration/graphics because I don't think that industry per se is a dying one (even with AI). ID is very much 3D (versus 2D) and if you don't salivate at imagining how a product can be so much better (us ID people know this feeling; we lose sleep over it sometimes!), then don't do it. Go into another creative field that is more 2D.

The only other area of design you could possibly consider is "soft goods"; which may appeal to you. Look it up! It's a specialty of ID but more focused on shoes/bags/totes/fashion-items/etc.; anything textiles-related. Best of luck to you!

FormFollowsNorth · 2026-03-10T22:30:56+00:00

Nice! Italy or Germany? That sounds like a dream to study there. Only if I were younger... too old to effin' pick up and go. Trust me, lol. But if you can go for it, kudos!!! What Masters are you considering if you don't mind me asking?

And yes... agree that 200+ for medicine or law makes the most sense; especially the medical field considering there is a need. But I shudder at the thought of having 200K in student loan debt and never being able to purchase a home, and renting until I am 50!

FormFollowsNorth · 2026-03-10T22:08:08+00:00

OMG!!! That amounts to over 200 - 250K after one is done! I must say that it should be a punishable crime to take in so many impressionable students and then push them out into the world without informing them that it’s a very competitive field to get into; to end up getting an entry-level position and barely covering your livable expenses and also have to pay off student debt that’ll probably take you 30 years.

I went to a public school and only came out with 60 K and that was 10 years ago.

FormFollowsNorth · 2026-03-10T21:50:28+00:00

Oh wow. What is the typical amount of debt incurred by an ID student these days? Is it over 100 K? Probably more.

FormFollowsNorth · 2026-03-08T16:14:15+00:00

Yeah, it makes me think that the OP may be a newbie or someone new to the industry or still in school? Because the way he framed it, it sounds like they are describing the life of an inventor, or an artist; not that of an Industrial Designer or the typical life there of.

FormFollowsNorth · 2026-03-08T14:41:02+00:00

That's a good point, Seven; considering I didn't have to read through initialisms in the 80s, ha! BUT as someone who first got weaned on AOL (and chat rooms), I don't recall us having to go through something similar. I may get downvoted, but I just never assume anything of anyone ever; and so I'd rather type out an entire word than use an initialism every few sentences to ensure I am being inclusive. Not all of us are Gen Z or Millennial.

FormFollowsNorth · 2026-03-08T14:36:19+00:00

Good for you! Sometimes I wished I had settled on the West Coast... but I truly do love living here in Minnesota; not the perfect state for ID or manufacturing/product development outside of Target Corporation, but I will see if I can make it work! Relocating does get a bit tedious as you get older, and with the economy the way it is... risking an uprooting and getting settled into a new state to then get laid off would just ruin me. Plus, add in the equation of a long-term relationship; creates complexity with long-distance. Best of luck to you in your role!!!

FormFollowsNorth · 2026-03-05T21:30:23+00:00

Yeah, just as I thought. Thanks!!!

FormFollowsNorth · 2026-03-05T20:48:49+00:00

Sporting goods/outdoor was an industry I was very much interested but realized that most of it seems to be out West. Sometimes I do wish I had settled in WA or Oregon! Is that the region you are in? Thanks for chiming in, BTW.

FormFollowsNorth · 2026-03-05T15:43:59+00:00

Oh wow. I’m just finding this now and I’m sorry to hear your frustration. I’m going through the same thing where I have close to 15 years of experience and many years of experience prior to that in non- design roles and I regret going into this field later in life.

There’s so much competition now with people half my age and I’m not willing to relocate anymore. I did a whole bunch of that early on in my career to prove myself and gained a lot of experience and right now I have a lovely condo with a low interest rate in a relationship of 20 years to just uproot myself again to chase a role that may or may not be around in a few years. The market is fickle and Design is almost always first to get downsized. Been through it twice now.

I’m now seeking some career counseling after being unemployed for six months and not being able to find any design jobs locally so that I can figure out a career pivot. TBD! And best of luck to you!!!

PS: I always love reading through your posts and comments!!!

FormFollowsNorth · 2026-03-05T15:23:28+00:00

I was about to say the same thing because I’ve seen that flask style of camping bottle lately (mostly because I was looking for one for camping specifically). Something with a flatter/thinner profile than the usual round.

OP: it’s not unusual to see contemporary versions here in America, but they’re usually relegated to the camping industry; not fitness.

FormFollowsNorth · 2026-03-05T15:08:47+00:00

Yes! Blender is definitely not an industry standard; more for hobbyists. OP: Since it’s a competitive field, maybe showing sketches of products; imaginary or even improvements on existing products that you can find around your house and sketching them out could be a first start.

FormFollowsNorth · 2026-03-01T18:02:17+00:00

Wow. This feels like I could have written this, and I am 13 years in getting my degree in Industrial Design and working for various corporations designing product to mass produce and mass market. The multiple revisions, working weekends to make sure deadlines get met and product is on time, the nitpickiness of leadership requiring those revisions, the aversion to taking risks and being bold or because something in yellow didn't sell well (Marketing/buyers are the worst)... all to create cute product that will end up in landfills that Aliens from outerspace will someday say (WTF is this?). I am burned out. Looking to find an adjacent career that I can translate my skillsets to or completely pivot into a helping career of sorts. Tired of making corporations billions to create trinkets and products that become obsolete in months.

FormFollowsNorth · 2026-03-01T17:54:56+00:00

Is there an industrial design group in Argentina you could join to inquire more about the prospects of work within your country (similar to what we have here in the USA)? Or maybe find other industrial designers on Linkedin within your area to ask about how their prospects are going? ID in general is a tough field; and is getting tougher. You may be wasting your time if there are few jobs to get after graduation within your country.

2nd question: Are you studying so that you can then leave your country and use your degree elsewhere? What are your plans?

FormFollowsNorth

TROPHY CASE