VIRTUAL PRODUCT DESIGN STUDIO

This paper examines 3D virtual product design opportunities, limitations, currently needed skills, and what should be emphasized during the educational process of future product designers. Virtual space serves as a product development environment for thousands of companies around the world. Product design in virtual space has opportunities and limitations; likewise, product design conducted in physical space has opportunities and limitations as well. Balance is needed in design education. Through analysis of want-ads and 2 case studies, this paper reveals that Solids/Parametric and surface/NURBS modeling are roughly equal in popularity at product design organizations and that design in virtual space has certain advantages. This paper is of interest to product design educators and practitioners concerned with all phases of the product design process. The conclusion describes how design education can better provide adequate training in virtual product design studios. New designers need this training to be effective and global industries demand it.