My son is a junior in high school and tells me he wants to be an industrial designer. He draws all the time, has already won a scholarship in a juried art show and is taking AP art in school. All for his drawing and painting.

I’m concerned though because he outright refuses to do anything 3D. He has access to software and a 3D printer. And I’ll get him access to whatever kind of tools he might need to experiment and learn. He tells me that “They’ll teach me 3D stuff in school, I don’t need to do it now.” and that not all ID jobs require work in 3D. That just doesn’t make any sense to me. Does it make sense to you?

For context, I have a background in the visual arts but have spent the past 20 yr, working as a mechanical engineer doing product design and development, but not involved with design the way I understand industrial design to be.

I’m not trying to push him into or out of ID, I just want to help him make an informed decision. If I’m out in left field on the importance of 3D work for a portfolio out of high school, I’d like to know. If not, then maybe some resources that I could direct him would be appreciated.

Also, how important is a degree specifically in Industrial Design? Would having an Art degree with a portfolio showing ID type projects be a disadvantage?

Thanks.