NC State College of Design

The Industrial Design Program prepares students to be creative, practical, user-centered, aesthetics- focused, problem-solving, and opportunity-exploring designers, design strategists, or design leaders.

The NC State University Industrial Design Program is one of the top professional programs in this discipline in the country. The program offers Bachelor of Industrial Design (BID) and Master of Industrial Design (MID) degrees, both accredited by The National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). The Industrial Design faculty have joined NC State University from prestigious institutions around the world, each bringing years of experience in design, research, innovation, and education. The graduates from the program are enhancing quality of life experiences with the creative design of products, services, branding, and communication systems for companies such as IDEO, Nike, Volvo, IBM, Toshiba, Dell, Pentagram, PepsiCo, RKS Design, Microsoft, The Smithsonian, Adidas, Hasbro, Target, and Bosch.

Students learn and practice design in a studio environment very similar to that of professional design offices. Students methodically study human physical and cognitive interaction with artifacts and services in order to discover user experience insights and then create innovative solutions to design problems. The dynamic and sophisticated balance of form, function, innovation, and practicality are constantly debated and articulated throughout the journey to better design.

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Program Information

The study of Industrial Design (ID) at NC State University is a four-year (eight-semester) program that wards a professional Bachelor of Industrial Design (BID) degree after the fulfillment of all academic requirements.

In the first semester of freshman year, Industrial Design students learn the basic principles of design, design processes, design vocabulary, and disciplined work habits in mixed studio and lecture classes with all other majors in the College of Design. The second semester of freshman year is an Industrial Design major-specific mix of studio and lecture classes for the students continue their education in the design of physical artifacts in the natural and built environment. This first year design curriculum establishes a solid foundation for the creative, generative, and evaluative phases of design that are common to all design practices.

In the fall semester of sophomore year, Industrial Design students begin a studio sequence of practical project-based learning, similar to a professional design office, as well as exposure to more advanced theories and principles of design. The students learn the critical methodologies and skills specific to industrial design as they compile their projects and processes into a portfolio of work relevant to their career. Opportunities are provided for students to participate in collaborative studio projects with industry partners in order to conduct user-based research and engage in the design and development of professional level projects.

In addition to the 6 credit-hour studio classes, ID students are co-enrolled in sequential 3 credit-hour support classes which cover a broad array of topics essential to the profession of Industrial Design. These include: ideation and design sketching, digital visual communication, materials and processes of manufacturing, design methods, design history, and human-centered design/ergonomics. Students apply the skills and knowledge provided in these support classes to the studio work to create an interwoven, integrated method of learning that progressively prepares the students for the advanced challenges of the program.