Industrial Design schools teach students how to design systems and create products that ultimately optimize the value, function, and appearance of their employers or clients. As a professional service, the job of the Industrial Designer is to utilize the benefits of data collection and analysis to provide clear and concise conclusions that ultimately provide enhanced benefits to consumers. Recommendations are provided through drawings, descriptions and design models.
Best Industrial Design Schools in the U.S. for 2019
Think of the products that you use every day. The majority of them are useful, attractive, and seemingly very simple. However, even the simplest products are much more complicated than they may appear. Not only do these products need to be conceptualized and designed, they must also be manufactured.
Industrial design is a complicated multi-disciplinary area of design. It involves creating products and other objects used by consumers, starting from the idea stage, and going through the manufacturing process. Industrial design covers several areas of design. Some of these areas may include product design, car design, furniture design, shoe design, and packaging design.
Unlike some other areas of design, however, the industrial design focuses more on mass-produced items. It does not only cover the concept stage of a product, but it also focuses on designing the product as well as designing a manufacturing plan for the product.
Top 10 Industrial Design Schools
- Rhode Island School of Design
- Carnegie Mellon University
- ArtCenter College of Design
- California College of the Arts
- Pratt Institute
- Savannah College of Design
- Rochester Institute of Technology
- University of Washington
- Drexel University
- Ohio State University
Rhode Island School of Design
Nestled amidst the picturesque New England seaboard, Rhode Island School of Design has long been one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious colleges offering rigorous art programs at both an undergraduate and graduate level.
Carnegie Mellon University School of Design
The School of Design is one of the nation's only institutions to offer degrees at 3 levels: BA, MA and PhD, within a multi-disciplinary research context.
ArtCenter College of Design
With a tradition of learning to create and influence change; the Center impacts its community as well as global society. Its visionary methodology regarding art and design reflects the conservatory approach it embraces.
California College of the Arts
With 22 undergraduate degree programs, 12 graduate programs and international study options; California College of the Arts successfully balances tradition with innovation and theory with practice. Students enjoy an 8:1 student/teacher ratio and class sizes averaging 13 students.
Pratt Institute
Pratt Institute utilizes the city of New York as a literal classroom by engaging students in real life experiences including public critiques and internships with top design companies like Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan and more.
Savannah College of Art & Design
Embracing a forward-looking approach to artistic academia, SCAD is a student-centered institution determined to provide educational excellence within the context of a positive learning environment. Students learn to create art, as well as live creatively artistic lives.
Rochester Institute of Technology
RIT is a private college whose fine arts programs are consistently ranked in the “Top 10” by US News. Conferring associates, undergraduate and graduate degrees, it has 4 galleries and a Center for Design.
University of Washington - School of Art, Art History, & Design
An integral part of one of the world’s most revered research-based universities; the art program at UW utilizes a rigorous interdisciplinary approach & studio-based instruction coupled with international opportunities and competitive internships.
Drexel University - Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Drexal’s Westphal College offers an impressive range of degree options; 19 in the undergraduate program alone. Building on a solid foundation of visual studies, Westphal inspires a sense of experimentation and expansion of visual horizons.
Ohio State University
Renowned for its excellence in the BA and MA programs; OSU maintains its core values of creative examination and intellectual freedom, while providing students with a rich, people-centered educational environment.
Brigham Young University - Department of Design
With 4 departments and 3 schools dedicated to the arts, BYU offers everything a student could imagine. There are 11 art galleries, 55 practice rooms & performance groups annually tour 8 countries/140 cities.
College for Creative Studies
Established in 1906, the College for Creative Studies is a small, private, fully-accredited institution of higher learning. Diversity and inclusion characterize the student body: undergraduates hail from 35 states and 24 countries; while the graduate population is comprised of 81% international enrollees from 8 countries. Located in Midtown Detroit, students enjoy the long-established, rich culture of the city. From the Detroit Film Theatre and the Detroit Institute of Arts; to the libraries, galleries and famous restaurants; both college and students can leverage the educational opportunities provided by the urban community.
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Since 1866, School of the Art Institute of Chicago has been committed to academic excellence, interdisciplinary exploration and the enrichment of each student’s artistic inquiry and experimentation.
University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign
Aware of the synergy created when research is blended with the visionary nature of the visual, environmental and performing arts; the College offers a program rich in vibrant expression.
Iowa State University
Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as being one of the “Best Colleges” in the nation, Iowa State University is a public college, founded in 1858 and located in the small town of Ames, Iowa. As a land grant institution, the efforts of the college benefit the community as well as its students. Especially attractive for environmentally-minded scholars; there is an Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station wherein subjects like bio-renewable fuel and soybean research are offered. The college also houses "Ames Lab"; a U.S. Dept. of Energy research center.
Auburn University
Auburn hosts the oldest accredited university art department in the Southeast and is a charter member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. Accomplished artists and scholars pave the way successful careers.
Cranbrook Academy of Art
An exclusive graduate degree granting institution unlike any other in the United States; the 2-year Academy confers MA degrees in 10 areas. All studies are studio-based & students are mentored by 10 Artists-in-Residence.
Georgia Tech - School of Industrial Design
From undergrad to PhD, students are immersed in curriculum unlike any other in an industrial design program rooted in fine arts. Utilizing state-of-the-art technology & collaboration; the school is of the highest caliber.
Arizona State University - School of Design
Successfully engaging itself in a new educational paradigm; The College of Design offers leading-edge instruction in the areas of visual communication; architecture; industrial design; landscape architecture and interior design.
University of Houston
Renowned for faculty excellence and a commitment to student mentoring; the UH School of Art combines academics with real-world experience by increasingly using the city as a classroom.
San Francisco State University
Paramount to its success, The School of Art at San Francisco State University focuses on the development of socially engaged artists who are cognizant of the importance of both individual and collaborative contributions.
California State University, Long Beach
CSULB is the nation’s largest publicly-funded program and the first CA public school accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. Its degree and certificate programs feature highly specialized, diversified curriculum.
Purdue University
The University features an Art & Design Department as well as a Theatre Department; within which are 3 divisions: Music, Dance & Galleries. Revered faculty not only educate, but also participate in performance-based activities.
Lawrence Technological University
Offering a diverse range of studies, LTU believes creative development is key to advancement in an art career. A cross-disciplinary environment and dedicated educators ensure students acquire the skills needed for success.
What Are Industrial Design Schools?
Industrial design schools are educational facilities that enable students to learn all aspects of the industrial design process. This difficult process requires a number of specialized skills.
Professionals in the industrial design field must be more than artistic. They must also have a firm understanding and knowledge of the manufacturing process. These professionals must also be able to design products that are safe and useful, and as inexpensively manufactured as possible.
There are a number of different specialties in industrial design to choose from when attending industrial design schools. Whether your interest lies in designing kitchen gadgets or designing luxury automobiles, industrial design schools can help prepare you for this challenging and rewarding career.
What Are the Different Types of Industrial Design Schools?
An industrial design school is not usually a separate school in and of itself. Typically, industrial design schools are small parts of larger schools or universities. Traditional colleges and universities, for instance, offer industrial design degrees. There are also online programs available.
Art and design schools also offer industrial design schools. These types of schools are often more focused on aesthetics and the artistic aspect of industrial design, but students will also usually learn about the manufacturing process as well. Technical and vocational schools also usually offer industrial design degree programs as well.
What Are the Requirements for Admission to an Industrial Design School?
Most industrial design schools require applicants to have at least basic artistic abilities. This means that they should be creative and able to draw well. Some schools might also require portfolios as well. Knowledge of computers and attention to detail are also important qualities that industrial designers should possess.
What Types of Degree Programs Do Industrial Design Schools Offer?
Most industrial designers start their careers with bachelor of arts degrees in industrial design. The majority of art and design schools, along with some traditional universities, offer degree programs in industrial design. Architecture and engineering degrees might also be acceptable when pursuing industrial design schools.
Because most graduates can only secure entry-level positions with bachelor’s degrees, however, most aspiring industrial designers choose to pursue graduate degrees in this area. Master’s degree programs are offered at a number of different schools, and these give students the ability to concentrate on specific areas of industrial design. Advanced degrees also enable graduates to pursue and secure more job opportunities with higher salaries.
Typical Classes & Coursework
Students enrolled in industrial design schools will usually take several basic art and design courses. They will also usually take courses in design visual arts, graphic design, manufacturing, environmental design, model making, and human interaction.
Computers and their software can be considered to be the backbone of industrial design. Because of this, most industrial design schools require their students to take several computer courses. These can include courses in computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided industrial design, and 3D model making.
What Can I Do with an Industrial Design Degree?
In the past century, the field of industrial design has grown rapidly, and it continues to grow today. Graduates from industrial design schools will often have no problems finding work, especially considering that consumers find they need more and more products to lead their comfortable lifestyles.
Industrial design school graduates can often find employment in factories and manufacturing plants. Large companies and corporations will also usually hire industrial designers to design and help create a number of different products.
Do I Need a Degree to Work in the Field of Industrial Design?
The answer to this question is a resounding “yes!”. Nearly all industrial design positions – even entry-level industrial design positions – require applicants to have a degree of some sort from an industrial design school. Graduates with bachelor’s degrees will usually have a chance at securing the lower-paying entry-level positions, while those with master’s degrees in the field will be able to secure higher-paying positions with more responsibility. Either way, a degree from an industrial design school is essential for a successful industrial design career.