person being digitally scanned and appearing on an iPad

Distinction in Our Research

Distinction in Our Research

The School of Industrial Design's research is interdisciplinary in nature. By working to create and design for new needs, we actively work with professionals across industries and disciplines to deliver through a user-centered research approach.

School Run Labs

The School of Industrial Design focuses on design solutions based on research. We think that adds a fundamental element to the end user's experience of the objects we design. That's why we offer students and faculty the facilities in which to conduct this research.

We offer students the opportunity to participate in seven different academic labs, access to College of Design and industrial design-led facilities, as well as assistantship possibilities in affiliated College of Design research centers and labs. Learn more about the different ways our faculty and students engage in research.

origami style eleoctronic craft project

CoDe Craft Group

CoDe Craft (Computational Design and Craft) is a research group established in 2019 at Georgia Tech. The lab designs and builds computational design tools and methods that integrate everyday craft materials with computing.  Exploration is carried out regarding how computing technologies can extend and transform familiar and accessible materials both as tools and as materials. The lab investigates how these combinations can broaden creative possibilities for designers–those who strive to make the world a better place to live in. 

 

interactive ring of less

Interactive Product Design Lab

This lab focuses on smart technologies and student collaboration (undergraduates through Ph.D.) between designers, engineers, and computer scientists. Wearable technology is a feature of this lab's work, with emphasis on the importance of product concept and audience. Half of the time in the lab is spent on storytelling and figuring out how to communicate the use, value, and meaning of a product to users of that product. The prototyping facilities of this lab come in handy when researchers incorporate models in their communications.

Lisa's award winning algorithmic lace bra

Algorithmic Craft Lab

The Algorithmic Craft Lab focuses on methods of combining endangered and traditional handcraft with algorithmic modeling in order to produce new modes of production.

student concept project for futuristic car interface

GM HMI Lab

The GM Human-Machine Interaction (HMI) Lab is interested in the future of transportation. In this lab, students imagine what that future will look, sound, and feel like. The research figures out how will people interact with their vehicles, and what will they do while being driven around by the virtual chauffeurs of autonomous (self-driving) cars.

Image of person sitting on a wheelchair

REAR Lab

The Rehabilitation Engineering and Applied Research Lab (REAR Lab) takes an applied research approach to studying, developing, and enhancing specialized products that increase the health and user experience value of people with disabilities

A student sits while being scanned by 3D equipment.

Body Scan Lab

The Body Scan Lab studies the body shape variations of individuals and global populations to create better-fitting products that improve the quality of human life. The research focuses on creating design tools for the human body using high resolution 3D scanning, free-form CAD software, and digital manufacturing methods. 

image of a little robot with a smiley face

Health Design Collab

Dr. Aflatoony's research employs design approaches (e.g. human-centered design), design methods (e.g. participatory design), and emerging technologies (e.g. Augmented Reality, 3D printing) to address critical challenges in various areas of application such as healthcare and education.

Lab Directors

Our labs are run by School of Industrial Design professors and tied to both our undergraduate and graduate programs. Over the course of lab-related studios, students have access to the latest and emerging technologies to enable design discovery. Often they collaborate with peers in mechanical or biomechanical engineering in our labs. Additionally, students are often introduced to industry professionals as they take part in sponsored lab projects or present the results of their research.

Headshot of Dr. Oh

Dr. HyunJoo Oh

CoDe Craft Group Lab Director

Headshot of Jim Budd

Jim Budd

Interactive Product Design Lab Director

Headshot of Lisa Marks

Lisa Marks

Algorithmic Craft Lab Director

Headshot of Wayne Li

Wayne Li

GM HMI Lab Director

Headshot of Dr. Stephen Sprigle

Dr. Stephen Sprigle

REAR Lab Director

Headshot of Roger Ball

Dr. Roger Ball

Body Scan Lab Director

Headshot of Dr. Aflatoony

Dr. Leila Aflatoony

Health Design Collab Lab Director

Research Highlights

Wayne Li

Conquering the Cube: Learning to Sketch Primitives in Perspective with an Intelligent Tutoring System

Stephen Sprigle

Use of a Low-Cost, Chest-Mounted Accelerometer to Evaluate Transfer Skills of Wheelchair Users During Everyday Activities

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