A student sketches while looking at several sticky notes on a desk.

Minor in Industrial Design

Minor in Industrial Design

Students from across campus can complete an industrial design minor to strengthen their skills and understanding of creative problem solving as it relates to design. The ID minor provides an introduction to basic competency in sketching and visualization, an understanding of design methods and human factors, and a chance to apply this knowledge to a practical design studio problem.

Design letters sitting on a table with pumpkins and all is being video taped with a phone

The Curriculum

Students will take four required courses and one elective.  The four required courses cover the basics of industrial design:

  • One course covers the theory of human factors (physical and cognitive attributes of people).
  • The second covers visual design thinking (graphical communication).
  • The third covers design methods.
  • The fourth is a studio experience where students work on multidisciplinary teams to solve design problems. 
  • An additional elective is required covering other topics in industrial design to broaden the scope of the student’s experience.

In accordance with Institute guidelines, the minor requires a minimum of 15 hours, including nine hours at 3xxx or above. All hours must be outside the student’s major. The minor is not available to majors in industrial design.

Summer Minor

Minoring in industrial design is a wonderful idea for students of other majors who want to explore product development or improve their design skills. The minor program consists of five courses: one elective and four required courses.

Through the summer minor program, students can opt to complete all of these requirements in one semester. With enrollment in industrial design courses increasing, the summer program gives students access to classes that might only be open to majors during the academic year.


"The summer setup of the Design Method class allows for a workshop-style class that expedites relationship-building and fosters a workshop-style class where we co-created more through exercise."  – Andrew Young, Lecturer


 

Troy Whyte, giving students a tour for FASET and information session

Interested?

Interested students can self-enroll in an Industrial Design Minor Canvas to learn more.

In-Depth Learning Experience

Young Mi ChoiDr. Young Mi Choi, former MID program coordinator, has appreciated the format of summer minor courses. Choi, felt that the summer courses allowed for a thorough exploration of ideas. Her Human Factors course, she reflects, provided “time for the in-class activities to be expanded. It allowed more discussion and, in some cases, activities that can be a little rushed during the regular semester worked better. It allowed us to cover topics like research, using design analysis methods, proper presentation, and the best ways to apply findings during class interactions.”

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