How do you do something very important?

What do you think about a degree in design? Is it something students should consider as an alternative to engineering? Or is it something to be ideally done after an engineering degree? How important is engineering to design?

• I need to help my niece plan for her undergrad courses. Design seems to be gaining in importance - in digital as well as physical products.  But I want to know how big is the demand for designers from a job market point of view.

• Answer:

  What are her talents and interests? Industrial design is certainly a valid field, as are media design and such.  They are all art fields.  If she isn't an artist then its not the right path.  Design of any kind is not about "being creative", its about having the skills to implement what you have envisioned.  Industriual designers need to be able to create models.  Graphic designers need to be able to create graphics. Game designers actually need some skill in both art AND programming in order to create prototypes of their games. Engineering is also valid.  Thats a very scientific and mathematical area.  Does she like math and science? Honestly, there is always demand for the best people who have a passion for their work.  You cannot predict the job market so its pointless to try.  As long as what she does she is passionate about, does excellently, and is hard enough that not everyone else can do it, she has a career path.