Students study global architecture from the 11th century to Globalization, including form, technology, urban context, and how architecture reflects social, cultural, and political concerns.

This course examines the global history of industrial design as it developed through early systems of standardization and mass production. Course content traces the profession’s evolution from the Industrial Revolution through major art and design movements, highlighting how political, economic, and cultural forces shaped design practice. Students will study significant designers and landmark works, analyze connections between key movements, and explore how materials, technologies, and design logics evolved over time. Furniture design serves as a connecting thread linking technological, aesthetic, and cultural shifts across eras. At the completion of this course, students will be able to identify major designers and movements, analyze shared design principles, and demonstrate an informed understanding of historical design practices.

Industrial Design Independent Study provides students the means to study in a specialized area with an individual faculty member. With the assistance of their faculty advisers, students will propose a course of study. Students must obtain permission of an instructor and complete the Independent Study Permission Form to enroll. A 3.0 or higher GPA required.

This course explores key moments in industrial design’s evolution from multiple angles: historical, theoretical, technological and cultural. While the emphasis is on industrial design, other integral design disciplines (i.e. visual communication, UX, systems, service, etc.) will be discussed. This combination of perspectives provides deeper understanding of how design addresses needs and wants of society, commerce, and environment beyond euro-centric contexts. Students are expected to read seminal design articles, write critical essays and questions and to participate in discussion groups.

This course focuses on developing research skills in the field of design. Emphasis is placed on an exposure to a wide range of methods, research sources, data collection, and evaluation. Students will select and plan a design research topic, conduct a search for background material, construct a proposal, and defend their research topic.

Industrial Design Independent Study provides students the means to study in a specialized area with an individual faculty member. With the assistance of their faculty advisers, students will propose a course of study. Students must obtain permission of an instructor and complete the Independent Study Permission Form to enroll. **NOTE: Student must have a minimum 3.0 GPA **

The second of a two-course thesis sequence, this course focuses on continued concept development of a thesis, concluding with the implementation and retrospective evaluation of chosen design problem. Solution is presented in a public exhibition, complemented by a written articulation of how the theories and methods employed in the project impact the current and future state of design in society.

This course will provide students with an intensive seminar experience in art, craft, design, photography, film or animation while traveling internationally. Topics will vary depending on the faculty member or members leading the study abroad program associated with the course. A description will be published for each iteration of the course. This course can be taken multiple times, but individual topics must be different. Admission to the course is based on application through RIT Global and instructor permission. Students may not enroll in or withdraw from the course independently. Additional fees are required for this course.

This course will provide students with an intensive seminar experience in art, craft, design, photography, film, or animation while traveling internationally. Topics will vary depending on the faculty member or members leading the study abroad program associated with the course. A description will be published for each iteration of the course. This course can be taken multiple times but individual topics must be different.