Christina Perla, CEO of Makelab, and Michael Bambino, Founder & Creative Director of Facility (www.facility.nyc), sit down at Makelab HQ in Brooklyn to discuss how an academic background in both Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Design could be a superset of skills, aiding in the creation of timeless, well designed and engineered products.
Michael’s journey from Mechanical Engineering to ID;
How engineering knowledge and how-to empower the holistic and complete design of products;
How having a background in both fields put Michael in a unique position in his career.
Watch some of the best and most insightful moments below!
With over 15+ years of experience, Michael uses his knowledge, experience, and leadership to drive teams to develop innovative and award-winning products. Michael also has a passion for education and has been developing design curricula and teaching at The Cooper Union and Parsons School of Design for nearly his entire career. He is the founder and creative director at Facility. When not hard at work at their LES office, he is teaching design at The Cooper Union and Parsons School of Design.
In the world of industrial design and engineering, there is often a tension between the two disciplines. However, in this podcast episode, the hosts discuss their experiences in the industry and highlight the importance of collaboration. They share their journey from working in different companies to starting their own successful consultancy, all while emphasizing the challenges and rewards of blending industrial design and engineering.
Discovering the Passion for industrial Design
The guest in this episode reflects on their journey from pursuing a mechanical engineering degree to discovering their true passion for industrial design. They share their childhood experiences and the desire to impress academically, but also their initial confusion about what they truly wanted to do. It was only later that they stumbled upon the field of industrial design and regret not exploring it sooner. The guest talks about their experience at Cooper Union and the disconnect between engineering, art, and architecture students. They also discuss their decision to pursue a biomedical engineering PhD and their eventual return to New York to work in engineering. Ultimately, they found their true calling in industrial design after taking classes at Pratt.
Exploring Different Paths in Industrial Design
The guest and the host in this podcast episode discuss their love for industrial design and how they were drawn to the field. They share their experiences of discovering their passion for industrial design through exposure and personal exploration. The guest highlights the importance of recognizing opportunities and being lucky in finding one's path in industrial design. They also discuss the various paths one can take with an Industrial Design degree, with a focus on industrial design. The guest shares their journey of exploring different design disciplines before finding their passion for industrial design. They emphasize the importance of the consultancy environment and the thought process behind industrial design. The conversation also touches upon the intersection of engineering and industrial design, and how the guest brings their diverse background and experiences into their approach to industrial design.
Collaboration and Change in Industrial Design and Engineering
The podcast episode delves into the challenges and benefits of collaboration between industrial design and engineering. The guest highlights the barriers and culture of "no" that can arise when these disciplines clash. However, they also emphasize the importance of collaboration, noting that it leads to better products and processes. They share their experience teaching both industrial design and engineering students and recognize the value of understanding both disciplines. The episode advocates for a change in how these industries are taught, encouraging a more collaborative and open-minded approach.
Creating Timeless Products and Understanding People's Needs
The speaker in this episode discusses their unique approach to industrial design and how it applies to various aspects of their life. They emphasize the importance of empathy and high-level thinking in industrial design and express their passion for the field. The conversation also touches on the timeless nature of the speaker's work and how their background in engineering and industrial design contributes to creating timeless products. The speaker reflects on the challenges of information overload and the constant need for course correction in the industrial design process.
The Importance of Strategy and Adaptability in the Industrial Design Process
In another podcast episode, the guest discusses the importance of understanding people and their needs in the industrial design process. They emphasize the need for a strategic phase to define the brief and align everyone's expectations. The guest also talks about the varying approaches to sketching and rendering, depending on the client and project. They highlight the importance of physical prototyping and the role of technical documentation. Overall, the industrial design process is seen as flexible and adaptable, tailored to each client's unique requirements.
Running a industrial Design Consulting Firm and Guiding Startups
The challenges and opportunities of running a industrial design consulting shop are explored in this podcast episode. The guest talks about the different roles and personalities in the industry, the importance of setting the stage and being decisive, and the connection between consulting and teaching. They also delve into the founding of their own consulting shop and how their past experience in various disciplines contributes to their unique approach. The episode touches on the difficulties of starting a branding business and the potential for innovation and social good in their work. The guest shares their thoughts on the first five years of running a business and the importance of keeping everything afloat. Finally, they discuss the clients of their consultancy and the wide range of people they work with.
The Significance of Branding and Unstructured Thinking
Branding takes center stage in another podcast episode, emphasizing the need for unstructured thinking in business decisions. The guest highlights the importance of establishing a strong brand beyond just relying on logos. The conversation delves into the challenges and ambitions of big companies in industrial design. The episode concludes by advocating for a case-by-case evaluation of individuals and their unique contributions.
Embracing Independence and Continuous Learning
In this episode, the speaker emphasizes the need for individuals to work and think independently, focusing on their own value system and continuous learning. They discuss how societal constructs can hinder people's ability to relate to each other and make them unhappy. The speaker also highlights the importance of courage in pursuing creative solutions and standing behind one's perspective. They encourage individuals to embrace discomfort and unknown spaces, cautioning against a lack of ambition or confidence. Additionally, they address the need for a shift away from Eurocentric minimal aesthetics and towards more culturally evolved and gut-driven approaches. The episode concludes with a reflection on the potential impact of AI on the speaker's job.
The Personal Touch in Industrial Design and Collaboration
In another podcast episode, the speaker discusses the role of AI in their job and how their personal touch sets them apart. They emphasize the importance of digging deeper and trusting the industrial design process to find unique solutions. The speaker encourages industrial designers to hold onto their unique perspectives and voices. They also highlight the importance of collaboration and passing the ball in a team. Finally, they thank the audience for tuning in and promote their podcast and social media channels for more content.
In conclusion, these podcast episodes provide valuable insights into the world of industrial design and engineering. They highlight the importance of collaboration, the challenges of the industrial design process, and the need for continuous learning and adaptation. Whether it's running a industrial design consulting firm, understanding people's needs, or embracing independence, each episode offers unique perspectives and valuable lessons for professionals in the industrial design and engineering industry.