New Jersey Institute of Technology - Hillier College of Architecture and Design

Why I Chose �鶹��˰�: Joshua Grebler

rje5 — Mon, 22 May 2023 18:43:35 +0000

Choosing the right school and program for your undergraduate education can be challenging. Third-year undergraduate student Joshua Grebler chose �鶹��˰� for his Industrial Design education, and here’s why. He speaks about the unique aspects of �鶹��˰�'s Industrial Design program, how it has prepared him for his career goals, and his experiences with the Industrial Design community at �鶹��˰�.

Choosing �鶹��˰� for Industrial Design

When Joshua Grebler was looking for a school to pursue his Industrial Design degree, he had a few requirements in mind. He wanted a school with a strong focus on both technology and engineering. Having a background in computer science, Joshua was looking to integrate this knowledge into his design work.

His search led him to the New Jersey Institute of Technology (�鶹��˰�), a public research university with a strong emphasis on STEM fields. Located in Newark, �鶹��˰� has been ranked as one of the top engineering schools in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

“Once I considered industrial design, I did look at other places, but what really set �鶹��˰� apart was the fact that it’s an engineering school. Other schools with industrial design programs tend to focus a lot on art, so the technical focus was attractive because of the resources for intersectionality inside the school.”

One of the big factors that drew Grebler to �鶹��˰� was the school's focus on intersectionality. As an Industrial Design student, he wanted to learn how to create designs that were not only visually appealing but also functional and efficient. �鶹��˰�'s college of architecture and design provided him with the resources and knowledge to do so, while also allowing him to work with people from other programs of study as well as having access to resources from those other programs.

Grebler also appreciated the school's emphasis on finding meaning in what we create. �鶹��˰�'s Industrial Design program focuses on creating designs that have a purpose and contribute positively to society. This aligned with Grebler's desire to be creative with technology and create designs that had a positive impact on people's lives.

Prior to attending �鶹��˰�, Grebler was a computer science student at Bergen Community College. It was there that he was first exposed to Industrial Design through a manufacturing professor. This sparked his interest in the field and led him to pursue a transfer to �鶹��˰�'s Industrial Design program.

Preparing for Future Career Goals

As the President of �鶹��˰�'s Industrial Design Society of America (IDSA) chapter, Joshua believes that the Industrial Design program at �鶹��˰� has provided him with the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue his career goals. Grebler explained that Industrial Design is a versatile and “massively employable” field, and �鶹��˰�'s program offers a wide range of opportunities for its students.

Students can pursue careers in consultancy, curating, designing for film and instrumentation, signage, infrastructure, consumer products, and many other fields. �鶹��˰�'s Industrial Design program is equipped with research labs that cater to the needs of students with a variety of interests. Joshua particularly enjoyed working in the cyborg design lab with Assistant Professor Matthew Schwartz, where they explored new avenues of design and technology.

�鶹��˰� also has a strong industry connection, with relationships with companies such as Nvidia, a graphics card manufacturer. Joshua worked on a research project with Nvidia, focusing on AI and cutting-edge graphics, which gave him valuable industry experience. By doing so, Grebler has also been able to continue his CS education, incorporating heavy computing into his research work.

Guidance and Mentorship from Industrial Design Faculty

Joshua highlighted the guidance and mentorship he has received from the Industrial Design faculty at �鶹��˰�. Matthew Schwartz, the advisor for �鶹��˰�'s Industrial Design Society of America (IDSA) chapter, has played a significant role in Joshua's academic and professional development.

Matthew's leadership enrichment and professional development guidance have helped Joshua improve his design skills and navigate the complexities of the industry. Moreover, Joshua has learned some level of politics through his association with Matthew and the IDSA chapter.

In addition, Joshua has received valuable guidance from guest speakers and industry professionals who visit �鶹��˰�'s Industrial Design program. For example, a New York student liaison from the Industrial Design Society of America (IDSA) visited the program to provide portfolio reviews and professional development guidance. These interactions have enabled Joshua to learn about the industry's latest trends and network with professionals, which can help him in his future career.

Applying Skills and Knowledge to Real-World Projects

During his time at �鶹��˰�, Joshua has had many opportunities to apply the skills and knowledge he has gained in his Industrial Design program to real-world projects. He has taken on contract design work, which has allowed him to improve his skills with more curriculum knowledge. He has also done electronics and 3D work on a commission basis, which has given him valuable experience in working with clients and meeting their specific needs.

Joshua has explored freelance opportunities, which have allowed him to take on a wide range of projects and work with a variety of clients. These experiences have helped him to develop his professional network and gain exposure to different areas of Industrial Design. Joshua is excited about the potential for his skills and knowledge to translate into a successful career after graduation.

Begin your journey at �鶹��˰� today

Joshua Grebler's experience at �鶹��˰�'s Industrial Design program has been nothing short of transformative. He has gained invaluable skills, knowledge, and mentorship, which have prepared him for a successful career in the field. The program's unique and innovative aspects, such as the focus on sustainability and meaningful work, have further solidified Joshua's passion for Industrial Design.

If you are considering pursuing a degree in Industrial Design, we highly recommend exploring �鶹��˰�'s program. With its outstanding faculty, cutting-edge research opportunities, and emphasis on technical and meaningful design, �鶹��˰�'s Industrial Design program is an excellent choice for anyone looking to excel in this field- Apply Now.

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Explore the Benefits of �鶹��˰�'s Industrial Design Program from a Student's Perspective!

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Monday, May 22, 2023

10 Essential Skills Needed to Be an Architect

rje5 — Thu, 03 Nov 2022 18:24:40 +0000

Do you ever look at the buildings around you and find yourself captivated by their detail, beauty, or just overall design? If so, you can thank architects for this. Architects use their skills and creative ideas to design and construct homes, office buildings, shopping centers, and other structures.

If you're interested in pursuing a career in this dynamic industry, keep reading to learn about what essential skills are needed to become a great architect.

What is architecture?

Architecture is defined as the process of planning, designing and constructing buildings or structures. Along with designing and constructing industrial and commercial buildings, architects must carefully consider a structure’s aesthetic, sustainability and functionality.

These professionals may also work with those in other industries including general contractors, civil engineers and trade specialists. Although architects are specifically known to design buildings, the field is wide-ranging and includes specialty jobs ranging from interior design to sustainable green design.

10 Essential skills needed to be an architect

Regardless of what type of architect you choose to become, these essential skills will help to give you a competitive edge in the field.

1. Design

Understanding the fundamental principles of design is a necessity to become an architect. Whether you’re creating a school building or a grocery store, you’ll have to follow a specific design process, while simultaneously making the overall appearance and layout appealing so as to meet your client’s needs.

Some aspects that you’ll have to understand in the design process include planning, drafting, sketching and conceptualization. The only way to have exceptional design skills is to practice. You can also consider taking a few extra basic drawing and design courses. Additionally, reading architectural magazines and project critiques can further improve your design skills and increase your knowledge about the industry.

2. Computer

Given that technology is ubiquitous nowadays, learning how to be tech-savvy is a must. While some architects still draft designs by hand, most have migrated to digital technology due to its efficiency and persuasiveness for clients. Common software that you should familiarize yourself with to enhance your computer skills include:

Building information modeling
Computer-aided design
3D Printing
Revit
Model Making
Computer Processing
Architectural Rendering

3. Communication

Architects may need skills to complete their project like designing, supervising and managing but it comes down to teamwork as communication may make it easier to function collectively.

While you don’t have to be a master orator, you do have to know how to effectively communicate your ideas in a way that gets your message across. As an architect, you will most likely pitch ideas to your clients and give presentations — the success of a project will heavily depend on the effectiveness of your communication skills.

4. Problem-solving

There are always going to be problems that arise while you’re working on a project — how you adapt and resolve the issue is what matters. Architects have to deal with difficulties and complications during each step of the design process including legal issues, overall client communication, dealing with deadlines and staying within budget. To avoid setbacks, architects must react and respond quickly, communicate with others and stay calm. For example, architects have to settle the conflicts among what a client wants, the regulations applied to the building, and what the public desires.

5. Leadership skills

At some point of your career, you will most likely take on a leadership role where others will be looking at you for guidance. The more leadership skills you have, the more you’ll ensure the team stays on track of completing each project efficiently on-time and on-budget. As a leader, you’ll need to anticipate any bottlenecks that may arise and take the necessary steps to combat them.

So, what leadership qualities make a good architect?

Integrity: Companies, clients and co-workers all want someone who they can trust to put forth their best efforts. Those you work with also want to know that you’ll act in the best interest of them.
Honesty: Architects must maintain relationships with co-workers, clients, and professionals in other industries — being honest can help those you work with trust you and your decisions.
Responsibility: When deciding to become an architect, you should be prepared to multi-task and work with hard deadlines and budgets. You must be responsible enough to manage your time when working with clients, creating a design project, and adhering to rules and regulations. You should also be comfortable delegating assignments to members of your team.

6. Mathematics

Without understanding of mathematics, architects wouldn’t be able to transform their initial sketches and blueprints into functional and extraordinary buildings.For example, architects may need to calculate the dimensions and ratios of a building prior to constructing any framework. Learning how to logically think and use mathematical principles will help you in becoming a successful architect.

7. Teamwork

Constructing buildings or structures requires a collaborative effort — teams need to work together effectively to adhere to a common set of objectives. Architects often meet with clients, consult with their team and work with engineers to complete a project. Teamwork is the backbone for any architectural project as architects work with other specialists with many different perspectives. Architects can gain insight, which can help improve a project’s cost efficiency.

8. Legal Knowledge

Having sound knowledge of legal codes, rules, and regulations ensure that you’re adhering to all the proper policies.. Moreover, you may bear responsibility if there are problems with your building — knowing what’s permitted can be valuable to assist in working out the issues in a formal manner.

For example, architects may need to know what plot of land is able to be built upon — some plots are reserved only for governmental, commercial or residential use. Understanding the legal process will save you a lot of time when revising your designs.

Laws and regulations you may have to follow as an architect include:

Building codes
Fire safety
Building construction
Zoning codes
Architectural codes
Building systems

9. Creativity

If you decide to become an architect, you'll be thrilled to hear it involves taking a creative journey in designing state of the art buildings. Clients may have specific requests to design a building and architects must use their out-of-the-box thinking and creativity to turn that idea into a reality. You will need to use your imagination to create innovative designs and bring your visualizations to life.

10. Project management

Project management refers to utilizing your skills, tools and techniques to ensure a completion of a project. Although architects are mostly in charge of the design and planning stages, they also have to make sure that engineers or surveyors are doing their job on the project. Additionally, architects with project management skills can have a good understanding of what a client wants. For example, architects can listen to a client’s preferences or vision of a project before drafting any plans.

Build your career at �鶹��˰�

Becoming an architect requires that you possess various transferable skills. While it may take time for you to perfect these skills, you can learn how to by enrolling in an undergraduate architectural program. Don’t wait—register now to get a jumpstart on your architectural career!

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Do you want to learn how to become a great architect? Focus on building these 10 essential skills that will take your career to the next level.

Post Date:

Thursday, November 3, 2022

Why I Chose �鶹��˰� - Juliana Schlichting

rje5 — Tue, 31 May 2022 14:36:46 +0000

By Steven Kuerble, Communication and Media ‘22

When it came time to decide on a college major, Juliana Schlichting had a difficult time narrowing her choices down to just one. By choosing to come to �鶹��˰�, she was able to double up on her majors and bring her interests together. As an industrial design and history double major, Juliana worked to learn the lessons of the past in order to build a better future.

“Both design and history are studies of humans because we’re designing for humans, so in that process, we get to understand them and see other people's experiences and how that will affect my design and how that affected history and the way things are now. And because we have such a deep understanding of the past we can change now and improve for the future. So history is such a relevant tool for today.”

Being able to craft her own path in this way allowed Juliana to work on the types of projects that interested her and helped her build experience in fields that she’s passionate about. Juliana has a strong passion for hiking and the outdoors — the open-ended nature of much of her assignments meant she could work on projects centered around this passion. Not only did this make her time working on her majors more engaging, but it meant she was actively building a portfolio of work in her intended field that could be shown off to future potential employers.

“For projects, they’ll give you a prompt, but then they’ll let you explore different paths that you like. So for me, my biggest hobby is camping and things like that. So I’ve had projects that I kinda leaned towards outdoor use and nature. I even made a whole hiking backpack for one of my projects. And with my portfolio filled with camping gear now, if I’m applying to certain companies that do those products, they’ll see it in my portfolio and be like ‘wow, you know, you’re really interested in this’. It makes it fun, all of my projects have been pushed towards what I want to do and what I’m interested in.”

By choosing �鶹��˰�, Juliana always had access to the university’s state-of-the-art facilities, giving her the ability to be equipped with the tools necessary to tackle any project that she set her eyes on.

“Coming in and getting put into one of the studios, the whole time it was hands-on, which made it so interesting to learn”.

Her time at �鶹��˰� didn’t just help her gain experience in the workshop; as �鶹��˰� provided Juliana with professional skills in a number of different areas, all of which helped make her a stronger candidate for future employment opportunities. Not only was she working with her hands to build and design new products, but she was also delivering detailed presentations to colleagues, and learning how to market and sell the products that she was making.

“You get to do such a variety of things, that’s why I love the program. Getting to go into the woodshop and get your hands dirty and build something one day, and then other days you’re finding your presentation skills, and we’re learning how to sell the products too. So it’s almost like we’re designers, but we’re also engineers and business majors and everything and anything possible that goes into this whole process”

Equipped with the knowledge, skills, and experience that her courses at �鶹��˰� provided her with, Juliana felt a strong sense of confidence for the future, and pride in the work she had accomplished. The opportunities provided to Juliana at �鶹��˰� made her ready to tackle any challenges that may arise in her career.

“�鶹��˰� is definitely helping me break barriers with those parts that I need to get better at which in the end makes me a better designer and a better person going into the profession. It is just so rewarding and fulfilling at the end to be like ‘I made this, it was hard, and it’s still awesome.’ When we graduate and go into the field we’re not just going to be designers, you know, some people might end up going into more specific manufacturing process jobs, some people might be at some big company doing presentations to the board about their design. We’re a billion majors wrapped into one. I’m gonna be so prepared for the interviewing process and everything that happens when I graduate just because of all of the opportunities I’ve had here.”

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Find out why Juliana chose to be an industrial design and history double major at �鶹��˰�!

Post Date:

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

New Jersey Institute of Technology - Hillier College of Architecture and Design

Why I Chose �鶹���˰�: Joshua Grebler

Choosing �鶹���˰� for Industrial Design

Preparing for Future Career Goals

Guidance and Mentorship from Industrial Design Faculty

Applying Skills and Knowledge to Real-World Projects

Begin your journey at �鶹���˰� today

Tagged:

10 Essential Skills Needed to Be an Architect

What is architecture?

10 Essential skills needed to be an architect

1. Design

2. Computer

3. Communication

4. Problem-solving

5. Leadership skills

6. Mathematics

7. Teamwork

8. Legal Knowledge

9. Creativity

10. Project management

Build your career at �鶹���˰�

Tagged:

Why I Chose �鶹���˰� - Juliana Schlichting

Tagged:

Why I Chose �鶹��˰�: Joshua Grebler

Choosing �鶹��˰� for Industrial Design

Begin your journey at �鶹��˰� today

Build your career at �鶹��˰�

Why I Chose �鶹��˰� - Juliana Schlichting