The Product Design Program at the Western Michigan University Richmond Institute for Design + Innovation (RIDI) is taking innovation to a whole new level with its unique, interdisciplinary program preparing graduates to lead in the field of industrial design. Learn more about the program’s upcoming graduates that are open to opportunity in this Student Profile Series leading up to the RIDI Senior Show, April 21st.
What is the best lesson you learned from your classes, an internship, an instructor, or a mentor?
One of the best “lessons” I’ve gotten so far is from the design director from my one of my internships: he said to generate ideas from “mild to wild”. I loved that. It was easy to remember and give both freedom and constraint to the concept development stage.
What is the strongest skill you bring to an employer?
One of my strongest skills is the ability to learn. I may not know everything, but you can bet that I will be the first to go learn about it.
What type of project or industry interests you?
Ever since starting design school, I’ve had a passion for designing outdoor recreation gear. This could be camping, skiing, or cycling equipment. I love to move and be outside and so these industries greatly interest me.
What project in your portfolio are you most proud of?
This is hard. I’d have to say my Render Weekly submission of the Herman Miller Sayl chair. This was a quick personal project, but always felt like it was one of my best renders and an expression of creativity. I rendered the chair with the livery of the 1969 Ford GT40 LeMans. I still love the idea!
What/who is one person, place, or experience that had a positive impact on you during your time at Western Michigan University or in the Kalamazoo community?
We have had the opportunity to hear from a bunch of designers from the midwest through our Design Seminar class every spring semester. Churu Yun and Ricky Biddle, both from Argenta Park, have separately given talks that have made a lasting impact on me. Talking through design within consultancies and their approach to design has made me want to work at a consultancy more than anything.
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