profile / alumni / product-design
April 23, 2018
BY JAMIE WETHERBE
The Power of Intuition: Meet Industrial Designer Terry Carr
ArtCenter: What are you working on right now?
Terry Carr (BS 13 Product Design) industrial designer, Plantronics: Wearable technology that helps users stay active, like earphones with a coach or guide in whatever exercise you’re doing that communicates your stats and heart rate.
AC: What’s the most unique thing you’ve designed?
TC: I started a strategy at ArtCenter to bring low-cost healthy meals to low-income areas. It resonated with me because it’s the type of area I grew up in. I’ve also seen family members suffer because of health-related issues. I like to workout and stay fit, and I know how great it feels. Since then, almost everything I’ve done has had some aspect to help people get healthy.
AC: What do you like most about your job?
TC: The freedom.
AC: How do you define success?
TC: To me, success is always learning. Whether it’s a failure or a win, if I learn from it, I’ve succeeded because moving forward, I can adjust.
AC: Do you have any superstitions?
TC: I keep a $2 bill in my wallet my grandmother gave me a long time ago. I don’t feel right if I don’t have it.
AC: What’s the design cliché you’re most tempted to use?
TC: I always start with Helvetica — it’s just clean.
AC: What’s the one tool you can’t do without?
TC: Pen and paper.
AC: What’s the first site you look at when you open your computer in the morning?
TC: Mercola — it’s about taking control of your health. I’ve learned so much from this site, and I recommend it to everyone.
Listen to your intuition. We have to be able to tap in to that as designers, so hone that skill.
Terry Carr
AC: What do you do to detox from media and screens?
TC: CrossFit. I do it every day at 5:30 a.m.
AC: If you could trade jobs with anyone for a day who would it be?
TC: A singer, even though I can’t sing. It’s the ultimate form of creativity. You can touch thousands of people in one moment — that’s magical.
AC: What book is on your bedside table?
TC: I don’t have any books or gadgets in my bedroom, but on my desk I have The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and Malcolm X.
AC: Who are the most interesting designers working today?
TC: I’m inspired by Yves Béhar. He’s involved in so many things and continues to produce quality work.
AC: Describe a moment in your childhood where you first identified as a designer.
TC: I would always take a shoe or car, and draw it as is, and then draw three of four iterations of my own design. My mother has all of these saved — it’s really cool to see the progression.
Alumni Q&A
Submit the Alumni Q&A questionnaire to share your story. We want to hear about your accomplishments, what you're working on and your advice for future ArtCenter students.
AC: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
TC: My first thought is flying, but then I think of how long it takes to fly places. Maybe teleportation, so I can go somewhere in an instant.
AC: What’s your most prized possession?
TC: The ability to be creative.
AC: Where is your happy place?
TC: There’s something magical about meditation.
AC: How would your closest friend describe you?
TC: Unpredictable.
AC: What’s your best piece of advice for an ArtCenter student who’s interested in following your career path?
TC: Listen to your intuition. We have to be able to tap in to that as designers, so hone that skill.
