Students in the ‘Structures and Mechanisms’ module, taught by Professor Karla Caicedo, took part in a talk with Daniel Ordóñez, a graduate of the first cohort of the Product Design degree programme at FADCOM and currently a designer at FC Construcciones, as part of a series of academic activities aimed at bridging the gap between university education and professional practice.
During the meeting, Ordóñez explained how projects are developed in the industrial sector and presented a comprehensive overview of design in manufacturing environments. Drawing on his professional experience, he discussed the role played by product designers in areas such as structural and mechanical design, as well as the importance of creating innovative solutions underpinned by sound technical principles.
Similarly, he highlighted the value of interdisciplinary work with engineering, manufacturing and marketing teams to ensure the technical and commercial viability of projects, drawing on digital design and modelling tools that enable processes to be optimised, costs to be reduced and the user experience to be improved. The event gave students the opportunity to gain first-hand insight into the dynamics of the industry and to reflect on the career opportunities offered by product design. Such events strengthen the link between academia and the business sector, exposing future professionals to real-world experiences within their field.
© Photography: Courtesy / Written: José Luis Castro
