Career FAQs: Industrial Design.

Michelle Hespe. Career FAQs. 2007. 176 pages

Career FAQs are an established, Australian series covering a range of jobs. This could set warning bells off, as some series rely more on modifying one title to make another than putting the subject first; but not these guys.

They've made terrific use of the 170-odd pages to give an overview of the field, put many of the main players into context and to interview several working designers. The questions range from how they got to be where they are and what sort of hours they work a week to what tips they could give graduates looking for work. The interviews are extensive and intelligent; a few core questions and others directly relevant to the field, position or the size of the organisation.

Opinions vary quite widely on some topics, but this in itself is valuable information. The organisations that make up the design world are not machines - they are made up, themselves, of people with experiences, opinions, skills and preferences. While this does nothing to diminish the respect due to the people who're suceeding in Industrial Design, it may make that whole strata less intimidating.

How do you get the qualifications you need? What makes a good folio and what should a cover letter look like? While myths are quietly detonated in side-bars, there are links to related websites and the odd definition. Michelle Hespe has made a great job of filling the available space with solid, Australian (not just eastern seaboard) content.