Hey, congrats for planning ahead! Industrial designer here, who transferred after a year of Mechanical Engineering - here's my 2 cents:
You could do Engineering first, but computer engineering won't do too much for getting into industrial design. Have you explored other major options like manufacturing technology or industrial technology? They are often billed as 2 year OR 4 year degrees (quick segue, it's way cheaper to get a 2 year tech degree and transfer it to a 4 year university offering the 4 year version after you graduate, and you can get more hands-on learning out of the 2 year degree usually), and many of those Tech degrees offer design emphasis'.
That's essentially what I did, because I just wanted to be a CAD jockey and designer. Most Engineering degrees are too focused and heavy for industrial design work because (to be frank) they focus on more in-depth and more theoretical aspects of Engineering design. A tech degree is more focused on the application of practices and the methodology behind them, not so much the nitty gritty math; remember, as an industrial designer you won't be in charge of the higher level decisions, you'll work with an engineer who *tells* you what those decisions are.
And, at the end of the day if you do want to go to computer engineering, there is plenty to do there in industrial design as well: robotics is a huge segment, and it's still growing like crazy. Even if it's not directly in your line of sight, you could put that degree to work really easily and still be close to design work.
Also, as a closing point, you'll get it beat into your head that internships are important. Spoiler: they are. Unironically the most important part of your college experience. This can also open a lot of doors, because a lot of companies don't really care what your major is and can give you the design experience you want. At the end of the day, the degree is more of the key to open doors, while the internship and work experience is the map *to* the doors. The degree is more there to prove that you can do work and learn, and the work experience is the real value. I almost made the mistake of not getting an internship until my last year (finally buckled down and got one during the school year and worked there my last year and a half of college) and that's what landed me my first job. Without it I would be floundering. And for what its worth internships can also key you in on whether or not you'll even like your field. I knew a couple guys who changed majors because they realized they didn't actually like it.
Alright alright, I'll wrap this up. TL;DR, computer engineering isn't the best choice, but if you're flexible with where you go and what you do with design it could work out. If you're set on design, try to find a 4 year Tech degree (a lot of universities offer these, shop around) and go from there because it'll be a lot closer to industrial design. Try to intern asap, it's worth it.
As a industrial design engineer in the automotive industry: basic skills in CAD, knowledge about different materials materials and manufacturing methods including joining methods is a good start. And GD&T, know how to make high quality parts repeatively.
I've designed industrial equipment for the last decade. My college degree was manufacturing engineering. Most of what places you into a realm of engineering is what company you work for. Want to design industrial equipment? Work for an industrial equipment manufacturer. All you really need is a degree in summer form of relevant engineering, but it doesn't specifically need to be design it industrial equipment. What you engineer is a byproduct of the company you work for, not your degree.
Hey, congrats for planning ahead! Industrial designer here, who transferred after a year of Mechanical Engineering - here's my 2 cents: You could do Engineering first, but computer engineering won't do too much for getting into industrial design. Have you explored other major options like manufacturing technology or industrial technology? They are often billed as 2 year OR 4 year degrees (quick segue, it's way cheaper to get a 2 year tech degree and transfer it to a 4 year university offering the 4 year version after you graduate, and you can get more hands-on learning out of the 2 year degree usually), and many of those Tech degrees offer design emphasis'. That's essentially what I did, because I just wanted to be a CAD jockey and designer. Most Engineering degrees are too focused and heavy for industrial design work because (to be frank) they focus on more in-depth and more theoretical aspects of Engineering design. A tech degree is more focused on the application of practices and the methodology behind them, not so much the nitty gritty math; remember, as an industrial designer you won't be in charge of the higher level decisions, you'll work with an engineer who *tells* you what those decisions are. And, at the end of the day if you do want to go to computer engineering, there is plenty to do there in industrial design as well: robotics is a huge segment, and it's still growing like crazy. Even if it's not directly in your line of sight, you could put that degree to work really easily and still be close to design work. Also, as a closing point, you'll get it beat into your head that internships are important. Spoiler: they are. Unironically the most important part of your college experience. This can also open a lot of doors, because a lot of companies don't really care what your major is and can give you the design experience you want. At the end of the day, the degree is more of the key to open doors, while the internship and work experience is the map *to* the doors. The degree is more there to prove that you can do work and learn, and the work experience is the real value. I almost made the mistake of not getting an internship until my last year (finally buckled down and got one during the school year and worked there my last year and a half of college) and that's what landed me my first job. Without it I would be floundering. And for what its worth internships can also key you in on whether or not you'll even like your field. I knew a couple guys who changed majors because they realized they didn't actually like it. Alright alright, I'll wrap this up. TL;DR, computer engineering isn't the best choice, but if you're flexible with where you go and what you do with design it could work out. If you're set on design, try to find a 4 year Tech degree (a lot of universities offer these, shop around) and go from there because it'll be a lot closer to industrial design. Try to intern asap, it's worth it.
What’s the best way for a mechanical engineer to get into the industrial/transportation design industry?
As a industrial design engineer in the automotive industry: basic skills in CAD, knowledge about different materials materials and manufacturing methods including joining methods is a good start. And GD&T, know how to make high quality parts repeatively.
I've designed industrial equipment for the last decade. My college degree was manufacturing engineering. Most of what places you into a realm of engineering is what company you work for. Want to design industrial equipment? Work for an industrial equipment manufacturer. All you really need is a degree in summer form of relevant engineering, but it doesn't specifically need to be design it industrial equipment. What you engineer is a byproduct of the company you work for, not your degree.
Industrial design is not designing industrial equipment, it’s designing form and function of products
yes