It's Your Education, Make an Informed Choice.

Industrial design has exploded in the last sixty years; it first came to being when industries began thinking about bringing technological developments brought on by World War II to mass development and on to consumers. Since that time, industrial design has come full circle, with new technologies being developed at breakneck speed; the design of those technological innovations is as important as the technology itself. Industrial design is a marriage of sorts: the marriage between technological development and design that lends itself to function in the form of ergonomics, usability, and beauty. However, in addition to the above criteria, industrial designers also need to take into account the marketability and potential sales of their products. An example of successful industrial design is the suite of smartphones and related computing accessories (like tablets) that have taken over the communication and computer industry in the last several years. Students who are interested in product design methodology and practice may be interested in seeking a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Industrial Design. A BFA in Industrial Design will entail a thorough curriculum in product design, development and research, learning about a wide range of concepts, from materials and computer graphics to the history of industrial design and research opportunities. Most programs will require students to complete a comprehensive portfolio of design for graduation.

Example Courses

• Interactive Product Design
• Industrial Design Computer Graphics
• Interactive Product Design

Potential Industries

• Computer Design
• Furniture Design
• Transportation Design

Colleges Offering Degree

• Academy of Art University
• University of Illinois at Chicago
• University of Washington School of Art