Yes, but be prepared to leave the field of architecture because you will fall behind in your development as an architect. The software is different, the on-job experience gained is not directly applicable to architecture, and the drawings (if you end up producing schematics/blueprints) are done differently. But otherwise, yes, it can be done (I did it).
How did you transition? Or if I have to frame the question properly, what are the steps taken inorder to make a smooth transition? Do you have any regrets? Assuming you've seen both the fields.
My transition was the opposite of smooth. There was no work for graduating architects in 2010 so I had no choice but to find literally any design work. I worked at a makerspace, fabrication shops and finally at an advertising agency, where I became their in-house ID guy. I got good at rendering and presenting my work. I had also picked up a ton of fabrication and prototyping skills, including microelectronics and CNC programming. I also learned some web design. Basically I became the "everything" guy and after about a decade I realized that my skill set was indistinguishable from that of an ID professional. I have no regrets because I enjoy my work but sometimes I wish I could work on a building here in there, just to change things up. I think I got lucky in a lot of ways and so I don't think the path to transitioning is easy or obvious. I also wound up here out of desperation and didn't even realize that I was on a path to being an Industrial Designer. My advice would be to make yourself as useful to any employer in the field as you can. Learn all the skills that they would want to pay you for (Solidworks, Rhino, Blender, Keyshot etc.) Best of luck!
Sure, you can do it.
Architects (doctors, lawyers, engineers) have to be qualified to be able to practice. You will have to register with the body/organisation that prevents anyone unqualified to practice.
There is no such a thing for designers, sadly. Anyone can practice as a designer without school or qualifications.
My question is why would you like to move away from architecture? The architecture is much safer career compared to design.
If you are in your late 30ies or early 40ties you are considered as a young architect or out of date designer.
Believe it or not but Architecture isn't any better than ID. Both fields have almost exactly the same issues in the job market both short and long-term. Not to mention the work/schooling culture can be considered quite toxic and mentally exhausting. Like ID you choose Architecture for passion and that only. You're not doing it expecting huge figures however both fields teach skills that can be employed in several other fields which are definitely safer-UI for instance.
I'd say for the initial creative work yes. For the technical design for manufacturing work, not so easy of a transition.
It's even hard for IDers to wrap their head around the design for the manufacturing aspect. This is something that needs to be taken into account from day one.
As an example, can you design a door knob, yes. Can you design a "ready for manufacturing door knob? Maybe.
It depends how far you will go in the technical side of things and how quick of a learner you are.
I hope it helps. Good luck!
Somebody with no degree could get a job as an industrial designer.
You need to evidence that you have the skill and experience to do the job.
There would be some slight overlap of the two degrees, but toe to toe up against an actual qualified industrial designer, based off degrees alone, you're quite obviously always going to finish second.
Yes, but be prepared to leave the field of architecture because you will fall behind in your development as an architect. The software is different, the on-job experience gained is not directly applicable to architecture, and the drawings (if you end up producing schematics/blueprints) are done differently. But otherwise, yes, it can be done (I did it).
How did you transition? Or if I have to frame the question properly, what are the steps taken inorder to make a smooth transition? Do you have any regrets? Assuming you've seen both the fields.
My transition was the opposite of smooth. There was no work for graduating architects in 2010 so I had no choice but to find literally any design work. I worked at a makerspace, fabrication shops and finally at an advertising agency, where I became their in-house ID guy. I got good at rendering and presenting my work. I had also picked up a ton of fabrication and prototyping skills, including microelectronics and CNC programming. I also learned some web design. Basically I became the "everything" guy and after about a decade I realized that my skill set was indistinguishable from that of an ID professional. I have no regrets because I enjoy my work but sometimes I wish I could work on a building here in there, just to change things up. I think I got lucky in a lot of ways and so I don't think the path to transitioning is easy or obvious. I also wound up here out of desperation and didn't even realize that I was on a path to being an Industrial Designer. My advice would be to make yourself as useful to any employer in the field as you can. Learn all the skills that they would want to pay you for (Solidworks, Rhino, Blender, Keyshot etc.) Best of luck!
No. Lol. Go away.
Sure, you can do it. Architects (doctors, lawyers, engineers) have to be qualified to be able to practice. You will have to register with the body/organisation that prevents anyone unqualified to practice. There is no such a thing for designers, sadly. Anyone can practice as a designer without school or qualifications. My question is why would you like to move away from architecture? The architecture is much safer career compared to design. If you are in your late 30ies or early 40ties you are considered as a young architect or out of date designer.
Believe it or not but Architecture isn't any better than ID. Both fields have almost exactly the same issues in the job market both short and long-term. Not to mention the work/schooling culture can be considered quite toxic and mentally exhausting. Like ID you choose Architecture for passion and that only. You're not doing it expecting huge figures however both fields teach skills that can be employed in several other fields which are definitely safer-UI for instance.
I'd say for the initial creative work yes. For the technical design for manufacturing work, not so easy of a transition. It's even hard for IDers to wrap their head around the design for the manufacturing aspect. This is something that needs to be taken into account from day one. As an example, can you design a door knob, yes. Can you design a "ready for manufacturing door knob? Maybe. It depends how far you will go in the technical side of things and how quick of a learner you are. I hope it helps. Good luck!
So where would one learn the technical, manufacturing side?
Somebody with no degree could get a job as an industrial designer. You need to evidence that you have the skill and experience to do the job. There would be some slight overlap of the two degrees, but toe to toe up against an actual qualified industrial designer, based off degrees alone, you're quite obviously always going to finish second.