First-year industrial design students begin their academic career by diving into classes that build core design skills. Students learn to sketch, model, design, and visually communicate in studio courses taught by ID faculty and industry experts. Lecture classes introduce students to the history of industrial design, and the breadth of career opportunities afforded by the discipline. With this broad learning in their first year, our students are well-positioned to be skillful, creative problem solvers.

As sophomores, ID students connect to research, expand their digital design skills, and build fundamental skills in smart product design – a hallmark of our program.

Our program offers three distinct tracks, each targeting a unique aspect of design innovation. The Product Development and Innovation track delves into advanced design and manufacturing, emphasizing parametric modeling, 3D scanning, advanced materials, and digital manufacturing for diverse product applications. The Health and Well-Being track adopts a proactive stance in design research, focusing on universal design and the creation of innovative products and services in wellness and health ecosystems. Meanwhile, the Interactive Product Design specialization explores the realm of "smart" products and next-generation wearables, employing body scanning, sensor-based technologies, and soft-goods design to push the boundaries of interactive product development.

In our classrooms, senior students engage in an expansive exploration of their roles in product and service systems design, brand and experience design, and design entrepreneurship. Collaborative studio work often involves prestigious Atlanta clients like Coca-Cola, Emory Healthcare, the CDC, NCR, MailChimp, Chick-fil-A, and Porsche, providing real-world experience. Senior students culminate their learning in a capstone design project, applying their comprehensive skills to solve significant problems. Many opt for interdisciplinary collaboration with engineers, combining design problem-solving with functionality to create effective, real-world solutions.