Developing Industry-Specific Career Advising Models for Design Students: Creating Frameworks Tailored to the Unique Needs of Industrial Design, Product Design, and UI/UX Job Markets

Abstract

A new design job market is sprouting in the design industry. As such, focused career advising models must be developed for career advice in industrial design, product design, and UI/UX. With the industry becoming restructured with technology breakthroughs such as artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR), design students should acquire both technical skills and industry expectations knowledge. The job markets of these design disciplines are characterized by industry-specific career advising frameworks, competency, skills, and tools trending in the discipline. This paper details how these need to be resolved. Design students cannot be advised careers only by academics, but internships, portfolio creation, and business contacts should also be part of career advice for design students. This study also notes a path from the adviser's career to work in the market. There are many examples, such as industrial design and sustainability practice, usability principles regarding user interface and User Experience Design (UI/UX), or even product design. It then discusses how it has worked in successful cases, such as implementing and tailoring advising models for students ready for the workforce. Other important insights include the fact that there is competition for jobs in this digital-first job market, and it needs cross-disciplinary skills, which are also required in coding and data analysis. The paper predicts future trends in design career advising, namely, remote work adaptation, AI integration, and periodic skills development. The design institutions can learn from industry-specific advising models to prepare the students to face challenges and exploitation opportunities in the dynamic job market.