Three questions with David Curiel
Senior adjunct professor David Curiel has taught 3D modeling in Industrial Design since 2013, introducing students to Solidworks and Fusion programs in his Design Communication classes. More recently, he has adapted the curriculum to introduce these essential digital design tools to interdisciplinary groups of students in jewelry, furniture, architecture, and other majors.
Industrial Design senior adjunct professor David Curiel. Photo by Mara Holt Skov/CCA.
What do you think students need right now?
Our students, the next generation of designers, need to know they can trust us. They need support, space, recognition, understanding, and respect. I strive to be a teacher who offers all these things and more. I also aim to give my students another thing they need—optimism— in life, education, our profession, and especially our humanity.
I’ve been asking myself how I might offer optimism to our students. Here is my answer: practice. Do the work you do, every day, however small, to the best of your ability. As you master your design practice, the practice empowers you. So trust your practice, including the failure and disappointment that comes with it. These are valuable points of professional development. There is always something to learn from failure and disappointment that may prepare you for the next thing.
We are living through unprecedented and precarious, even dangerous times. Formulas and paradigms are breaking apart all around us. We may feel betrayed by our systems and structures. We can navigate these times through education— both knowledge and skills translate into resilience. Resilience is what students need to deal with the times we live in, and that resilience is only found inside oneself.
“The dizzying rhythm of the social and cultural change of our times demands that we step out of our comfort zones into the wide opportunities beyond the boundaries dictated by our professions.”
Senior adjunct professor
A student demonstrates a 3D printed working model of a solar shading system he designed for an architectural facade. Photo by Mara Holt Skov/CCA.
How are you building community at CCA?
Community is essential to creating and growing resilience. I build community at CCA by opening my digital design classes up to students from other art and design disciplines. It has expanded my knowledge and vision, and given me a wider understanding of differing perspectives and techniques. I enjoy discovering things that students have in common, and interdisciplinary classes offer opportunities for all artists and designers to expand far beyond their particular practices. Students learn from each other and teach me at the same time. In the process, we create our community.
The dizzying rhythm of the social and cultural change of our times demands that we step out of our comfort zones into the wide opportunities beyond the boundaries dictated by our professions. There is a need for overlap, adaptation, and going beyond our existing boundaries. There are plenty of benefits—pragmatic, intellectual, and personal—to fostering interdisciplinary communities, and we strengthen them through the shared activities and goals we can develop at CCA.
The array of 3D printed models of digital designs included toys, jewelry, desk organizers and scooters. Photo by Mara Holt Skov/CCA.
What is the future of Industrial Design?
Design needs to be optimistic (again). Growing up, I was surrounded by mid-century design, Italian design, pop and op-art, modern architecture, and early 1980s technology. I vividly recall my feelings of excitement for the future. It was so inspiring, so aspirational. Just like everything, it all comes down to good human values. Unfortunately, excessive and reckless manufacturing and greed chewed up and spit out those values long ago to satisfy shortsighted profits and perceived customer demand.
Consumers are not completely responsible, though. Corporations and manufacturers, advertisers and marketers hold a great deal of power over our habits, our minds, and even our bank accounts. But not our souls. Industrial designers can push back by bringing ethics, values, and integrity into every aspect of design. Designers should participate in decision-making throughout the entire process and the lifecycle of our products. When we are an integral part of the systems of production, we will have the opportunity to solve many of the dilemmas we are already facing.
I hope that the designers of tomorrow will advocate for, even demand better materials and processes, despite the odds. Maybe you can switch that screw that is going to improve things, or design for better packaging, reducing cost whilst eliminating the harmful impact to others, to the earth. Maybe you can ideate a responsible system of production that still brings fair value to the investor and the end user.
“First, do no harm. Then, design for good.”
Senior adjunct professor
Already, it’s hard to imagine the future of industrial design without AI, but we must keep from falling into the trap of AI replacing our creative, intuitive, and discerning abilities. It is our education, skill, knowledge, and the practice of our craft that can guide us forward. Therefore, do the work we do best and love to do, every day, to the best of our ability. This will empower us to better navigate the tsunami of technology coming our way.
And finally, first, do no harm. Then, design for good.