Career Changers?

[Makocross]

I am on the other end of the scale. I have worked as a chicken egg packer up to the space shuttle announcer and I started a solar company and a scuba communication company. I am used to not knowing if I would have a paycheck from month to month. Are you? Do you have a family to feed? The single common thread in successful business entrepreneurs is they have a spouse or partner to support them wholeheartedly. Do you have someone? If you think you can pull this off I would say go for it.
This whole 3d printing thing is like when Altair and Apple computers came out and you can see how that turned out. Life is too short to be stuck in a job you don't like. If any of this sounds intimidating you can start part time, keep the day job until the side job can hold it's own. I did this with both of my companies, but more importantly I did it with several other companies that didn't make it. My advice is go for it but don't be stupid.
Mike

[ron]

I've been in the industrial design field for about 20 years and was not always a designer throughout. Basically, was a contractor for about the 1st 4 years and was offered a full time modelmaker at one of the largest design and engineering firms in the bay area. Did that for about 5 years as the economy tanked and got laid off as a result.

Went back into design and worked for various companies designing anything from exhibit truss configurations to POP cabinet displays. Throughout my career, I managed to learn Vectorworks, AutoCAD, and Rhino 3D. Was laid off between jobs until recently where I was offered to be the model shop/prototype manager at another large design/engineering firm. Here, I learned how to program and operate the venerable CNC machine by myself using SurfCAM and Rhino.

If you're getting into prototyping, my suggestion is to research the kind of programs and fabrication techniques you want to get yourself into. Right now, Solidworks is very popular for most designers, following rhino. But, it all depends on what industry you get into. I used to use AutoCAD and Rhino alot when I was designing POP cabinet fixtures for a well known greeting card company. And Vectorworks when I was designing truss exhibit configurations for tradeshows.

Any software you learn or get trained on, you will find a niche/industry sooner or later. Good luck. rudy

[ZEUS]

I've been in the industrial design field for about 20 years and was not always a designer throughout. Basically, was a contractor for about the 1st 4 years and was offered a full time modelmaker at one of the largest design and engineering firms in the bay area. Did that for about 5 years as the economy tanked and got laid off as a result.

Went back into design and worked for various companies designing anything from exhibit truss configurations to POP cabinet displays. Throughout my career, I managed to learn Vectorworks, AutoCAD, and Rhino 3D. Was laid off between jobs until recently where I was offered to be the model shop/prototype manager at another large design/engineering firm. Here, I learned how to program and operate the venerable CNC machine by myself using SurfCAM and Rhino.

If you're getting into prototyping, my suggestion is to research the kind of programs and fabrication techniques you want to get yourself into. Right now, Solidworks is very popular for most designers, following rhino. But, it all depends on what industry you get into. I used to use AutoCAD and Rhino alot when I was designing POP cabinet fixtures for a well known greeting card company. And Vectorworks when I was designing truss exhibit configurations for tradeshows.

Any software you learn or get trained on, you will find a niche/industry sooner or later. Good luck. rudy

Thanks, Rudy - I always thought it was Ron...? If you don't mind, I may lean on you a bit in the next coming months...? I'd like to pick your brain a bit more...

[ZEUS]

Originally Posted by Makocross
I am on the other end of the scale. I have worked as a chicken egg packer up to the space shuttle announcer and I started a solar company and a scuba communication company. I am used to not knowing if I would have a paycheck from month to month. Are you? NOPE! Nor do I want to jump in that deep right up-front - nor can I. Do you have a family to feed? NOPE! Just me & the dog. The single common thread in successful business entrepreneurs is they have a spouse or partner to support them wholeheartedly. Do you have someone? NOPE! Haha see a pattern here? I have lots of free time & I think I may have figured out a progressive & motivational outlet of expression at the very minimum but perhaps also a means to engage my ideas with more purpose & profit. If you think you can pull this off I would say go for it. Never know till you fail, right!? Haha
This whole 3d printing thing is like when Altair and Apple computers came out and you can see how that turned out. Life is too short to be stuck in a job you don't like. If any of this sounds intimidating you can start part time, keep the day job until the side job can hold it's own. Exactly what I am thinking. Test the waters, ask around, get informed before getting educated before getting to work then work incrementally until supply & demand is realized. Sounds easy! Ha! I did this with both of my companies, but more importantly I did it with several other companies that didn't make it. My advice is go for it but don't be stupid.
Mike
Thank you Mike! I like how you worded everything you had to say... as if there is any other way to do it!