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AH: What kinds of portfolios get your attention these days? What brings in an industrial designer for an interview?
BS: I’m actually quite surprised how bad the portfolios are, and it has nothing to do with the students but how designers are trained these days. I definitely feel like the students are being trained to literally design products based off of what’s happening now. I always look for innovation and ideas, and it can be pretty raw. A designer who has a vision or an idea that can be put in a product is far more valuable than a sleek presentation. These days it feels like students go to design stores for research and all they’re doing is copying what’s already out there. It’s happening more and more; there’s definitely a lack of innovation.
It’s not a good sign. My professor in college was always saying, “If you want to design a cup, don’t go into a shop or a museum, or anything where you look at other cups—what you should be doing is going into a forest or going to the cinema—get your inspiration somewhere else.” The reason why is to train your eye.
