How does a novice learn the skills required to be an industrial designer?

Being able to sketch is a great asset, but6 being able to create CAD/CAM models of products quickly is priceless. To begin with, get yourself properly acquainted with solid modelling; SolidWorks & Rhinoceros3d are two absolutely great tools. Also, getting good with professional sketching tools (Sketchbook pro) will help present & sell your ideas better. Taste & discretion are things that you will have to find on your own - and should come with time, persistence & exploration. All the best.

Start making stuff and learn to sketch. Marc Newson, arguably the world's most influential industrial designer, studied jewelry and sculpture in college. Go forth and create. Source: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_Newson

Sketching is a necessary skill, CAD is an asset, and can be learned at any time. Also think deeply about the complete ecosystem and all the pieces that touch the product you are redesigning. ID is all about the user, so understanding how to translate user needs into design solutions in an artful manner is the goal.

I can't agree more with Brennan: "Help people. Enjoy your work." With that in mind, you will naturally improve. Practice is important, but you need to practice smart to improve fast. To get into a good design school, you will have to convince them not only by your sketching skills, but your Creativity. (If a design school hire candidates only for their sketching skills, it may not be a good design school).   Both walk hand on hand. Better your sketching skill is, better you'll convey your creative ideas. Basically, this is what a design school will train you. More aptitude toward both you have, better you'll convince them. They might ask for a portfolio, bring your best sketches, but also your research (which include tons of ideas where the quality of your sketch matter less, usually recruiters like to digg good ideas from inside - and the candidate prey that he will find something cool). A designer work smart, and prioritize his ideas and time. He decides when an idea worth a doodle, or worth a great sketch. So, don't be ashamed of showing your research, the ideas inside may have great values (even at a doodle stage). Do not hesitate to add some arrows and write in some comments on your research, especially if you are still clumsy at sketching. Then, do not only draw your product, but also people using it in their environment. Many students and designers don't do that. So, you could make the difference from other candidates by doing this. You may wonder how to start to create that portfolio ? I suggest that you start creating project that yourself like the domain. It will gives you Motivation. The school will want to know you more, and will feel that energy you have toward the subject you present to them. If you like for example Roller blading, go ahead ! Make a project about that. Rethink how people move around the city, how you could create protection gear that is comfortable and make people proud of. Brennan has given good advice on identifying people's needs. So, make sure that you do not create the product for yourself, but make product that people around you will love to use. You see what I mean? To be a designer, you think and care about others. That's why a good design school will teach you about sociology. I have started recently a blog about design and teaching how to sketch for designers. I invite you to have a look, hoping it helps. >> The design Sketchbook : http://thedesignsketchbook.com/the-secret-of-a-killer-perspective-revealed/ Feel free to send me your feedbacks. Thank you. Cheers, Chou-Tac