Josh Owens, Undergraduate Program Director
585-475-2668, jkofaa@rit.edu
Bruce Leonard, Undergraduate Program Co-Director
585-475-2954, balfaa@rit.edu
Program overview
Industrial design involves the integration of form and function as products are designed and created by combining materials, process, computer-aided design, and human factors. Blending technical instruction with studio assignments, studies also include package, exhibit, and furniture design. Aesthetic sensitivity, technical competence, and analytical thought are developed and applied to meet the challenge of designing products for human needs.
Plan of study
The industrial design major integrates major courses, studio and open electives, the liberal arts, and art history electives. Computer skills, design perspectives, career preparation, and exposure to the related areas of publishing, photography, engineering, and information technology are integrated into the curriculum.
Curriculum
Industrial design, BFA degree, typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| FDTN-121 | 2D Design I | 3 |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| FDTN-122 | Drawing II | |
| FDTN-212 | Drawing II Workshop | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| FDTN-132 | 3D Design II | |
| FDTN-232 | 3D Design II Workshop | |
| FDTN-131 | 3D Design I | 3 |
| FDTN-111 | Drawing I | 3 |
| ARTH-135 | LAS Perspective 2 (artistic): History of Western Art: Ancient to Medieval | 3 |
| ARTH-136 | LAS Perspective 3 (global): History of Western Art: Renaissance to Modern | 3 |
| IDDE-102 | Design Drawing | 3 |
| ACSC-010 | Year One | 0 |
| First Year Writing (WI) | 3 | |
| Wellness Education* | 0 | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| LAS Perspective 5 (natural science inquiry) | ||
| LAS Perspective 6 (scientific principles) | ||
| LAS Perspective 7 (mathematical) | ||
| Second Year | ||
| IDDE-201 | Sophomore ID Studio I | 3 |
| IDDE-202 | Sophomore ID Studio II | 3 |
| IDDE-206 | ID Form | 3 |
| IDDE-207 | ID Digital Drawing | 3 |
| IDDE-211 | Human Factors Applications | 3 |
| IDDE-212 | Integrated CAD | 3 |
| IDDE-221 | History of Industrial Design | 3 |
| LAS Perspective 1 (ethical) | 3 | |
| LAS Perspective 4 (social) | 3 | |
| LAS Elective | 3 | |
| Third Year | ||
| IDDE-301 | Junior ID Studio I | 4 |
| IDDE-302 | Junior ID Studio II | 4 |
| IDDE-306 | Materials and Processes | 3 |
| IDDE-307 | Graphic Tactics | 3 |
| IDDE-311 | ID Career Planning (WI) | 3 |
| CAD Studio Electives‡ | 6 | |
| LAS Immersion 1, 2 | 6 | |
| Art History Elective§ | 3 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| IDDE-406 | Professional Practice | 3 |
| IDDE-407 | ID Senior Capstone I | 3 |
| IDDE-408 | ID Senior Capstone II | 3 |
| IDDE-501 | Senior ID Studio I | 4 |
| IDDE-502 | Senior ID Studio II | 4 |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| LAS Immersion 3 | 3 | |
| CAD Studio Elective‡ | 3 | |
| LAS Electives | 6 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 124 | |
Please see General Education Curriculum–Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) for more information.
(WI) Refers to a writing intensive course within the major.
* Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information. Students completing bachelor's degrees are required to complete two different Wellness courses.
‡ CAD Studio Elective courses are those designated with studio/lab hours listed in the course description.
§ Art history electives are non-studio courses offered in the College of Art and Design or the College of Liberal Arts that examine the historical aspects of art, design, crafts, photography, or film.
Admission requirements
Freshman Admission
For all bachelor’s degree programs, a strong performance in a college preparatory program is expected. Generally, this includes 4 years of English, 3-4 years of mathematics, 2-3 years of science, and 3 years of social studies and/or history.
Specific math and science requirements and other recommendations
• Studio art experience and a portfolio of original artwork are required for all programs in the schools of Art and Design. A portfolio must be submitted. View Portfolio Guidelines for more information.
SAT (EBRW+M)
1160 - 1320
ACT Composite
25-31
Transfer Admission
Transfer course recommendations without associate degree
Courses in studio art, art history, and liberal arts. A portfolio of original artwork is required to determine admissions, studio art credit, and year level in the program. View Portfolio Guidelines for more information.
Appropriate associate degree programs for transfer
Related programs or studio art experience in desired disciplines. A portfolio of original artwork is required to determine admissions, studio art credit, and year level in the program. View Portfolio Guidelines for more information. Summer courses can lead to third-year status in most programs.
Additional information
Professional organizations
The school maintains memberships in a variety of professional organizations, including Industrial Designers Society of America, ACM Siggraph, Society of Environmental Graphic Designers, American Society of Interior Designers, American Institute of Architects, ICOGRADA, American Institute of Graphic Arts, and International Interior Design Association.
Quarter Curriculum - For Reference Only
Effective fall 2013, RIT converted its academic calendar from quarters to semesters. The following content has been made available as reference only. Currently matriculated students who began their academic programs in quarters should consult their academic adviser for guidance and course selection.
Program overview
Industrial design involves the integration of form and function as products are designed and created by combining materials, process, computer-aided design, and human factors. Blending technical instruction with studio assignments, studies also include package, exhibit, and furniture design. Aesthetic sensitivity, technical competence, and analytical thought are developed and applied to meet the challenge of designing products for human needs.
The school maintains memberships in a variety of professional organizations, including Industrial Designers Society of America, ACM Siggraph, Society of Environmental Graphic Designers, American Society of Interior Designers, American Institute of Architects, ICOGRADA, American Institute of Graphic Arts, and International Interior Design Association.
Curriculum
The BFA program in industrial design integrates major courses, studio and open electives, the liberal arts, and art/design history. Computer skills, design perspectives, career preparation, and exposure to the related areas of publishing, photography, engineering, and information technology are integrated into the curriculum.
Semester conversion
Effective fall 2013, RIT will convert its academic calendar from quarters to semesters. Each program and its associated courses have been sent to the New York State Department of Education for approval of the semester plan. For reference, the following charts illustrate the typical course sequence for this program in both quarters and semesters. Students should consult their academic advisers with questions regarding planning and course selection.
Industrial design, BFA degree, typical course sequence (quarters)
| Course | Qtr. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| Freshman Electives | 2 | |
| ID Freshman Elective | 2 | |
| 2010-216 or 211 | Vector Imaging or Raster Imaging | 2 |
| 2013-211, 212, 213 | Drawing I, II, III | 9 |
| 2013-231, 232, 233 | 2D Design I, II, III | 9 |
| 2013-241, 242, 243 | 3D Design I, II, III | 9 |
| 2015-222 | Design Survey | 2 |
| Liberal Arts* | 12 | |
| 1720-050, 052 | First-Year Enrichment | 2 |
| Wellness Education† | 0 | |
| Second Year‡ | ||
| 2039-225, 226, 227 | Survey of Western Art and Architecture I, II, III | 9 |
| 2035-306 | Technical Drawing | 2 |
| 2035-311 | Model Making | 2 |
| 2035-321, 322, 323 | Graphic Visualization I, II, III | 6 |
| 2035-331, 332 | Form I, II | 4 |
| 2035-348 | Sophomore Design Studio | 4 |
| Studio Electives | 9-12 | |
| Liberal Arts* | 12 | |
| Wellness Education† | 0 | |
| Third Year | ||
| 2035-442 | History of Industrial Design | 3 |
| Art History Electives§ | 3 | |
| 2035-405 | Materials and Process Applications | 3 |
| 2035-406 | Consumer Product Design I | 3 |
| 2035-407 | Human Factors Applications | 3 |
| 2035-408 | Equipment Design | 3 |
| 2035-410 | Consumer Product Design II | 3 |
| 2035-418 | CAD Applications | 3 |
| Studio Electives | 9 | |
| Liberal Arts* | 12 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| 2035-510 | Professional Practice | 3 |
| 2035-513 | Career Planning | 3 |
| Choose one of the following: | ||
| 2035-506 | Design Collaborative | 3 |
| 2035-498 | Internship | 3 |
| Choose two of the following: | ||
| 2035-508 | Furniture Design | 3 |
| 2035-512 | Advanced Product Design | 3 |
| 2035-522 | Toy Design | 3 |
| 2035-527 | Packaging Design | 3 |
| Open Electives | 18-24 | |
| Total Quarter Credit Hours | 196 | |
*Please see Liberal Arts General Education Requirements for more information.
† Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information.
‡ Upon completion of the second year, the associate in applied science degree is awarded.
§ Please refer to the list of art history electives.
Industrial design, BFA degree, typical course sequence (semesters), effective fall 2013
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| FDTN-121 | 2D Design I | 3 |
| FDTN-131 | 3D Design I | 3 |
| FDTN-111 | Drawing I | 3 |
| ARTH-135 | LAS Perspective 1: Survey of Western Art and Architecture I | 3 |
| LAS Foundation 1: First-Year Seminar (SMTL) | 3 | |
| FDTN-122 | 2D Design II | 3 |
| FDTN-132 | 3D Design II | 3 |
| IDDE-102 | Design Drawing | 3 |
| ARTH-136 | LAS Perspectives 2: Survey of Western Art and Architecture II | 3 |
| ENGL-150 | LAS Foundation 2: Writing Seminar | 3 |
| Wellness Education* | 0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| IDDE-201 | Sophomore ID Studio I | 3 |
| IDDE-206 | ID Form | 3 |
| IDDE-207 | ID Digital Drawing | 3 |
| IDDE-221 | History of Industrial Design | 3 |
| LAS Perspective 3, 4 | 6 | |
| IDDE-202 | Sophomore ID Studio II | 3 |
| IDDE-211 | Human Factors | 3 |
| IDDE-212 | Integrated CAD | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Third Year | ||
| IDDE-301 | Junior ID Studio I | 4 |
| IDDE-306 | Materials and Processes | 3 |
| IDDE-307 | Graphic Tactics | 3 |
| Studio Electives† | 6 | |
| LAS Immersion 1, 2 | 6 | |
| IDDE-302 | Junior ID Studio II | 4 |
| IDDE-311 | ID Career Planning (WI) | 3 |
| Art History Elective‡ | 3 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| IDDE-401 | Senior ID Studio I | 4 |
| IDDE-407 | ID Senior Thesis I | 3 |
| IDDE-406 | Professional Practice | 3 |
| Free Electives | 6 | |
| LAS Immersion 3 | 3 | |
| IDDE-402 | Senior ID Studio II | 4 |
| IDDE-408 | ID Senior Thesis II | 3 |
| Studio Elective† | 3 | |
| LAS Elective (SMTL) | 3 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 124 | |
Please see New General Education Curriculum–Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) for more information.
(WI) Refers to a writing intensive course within the major.
(SMTL) Refers to science, math, technical literacy requirement.
* Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information.
† Studio elective courses are those designated with studio/lab hours listed in the course description.
‡ Art history electives are non-studio courses offered in CIAS or COLA that examine the historical aspects of art, design, crafts, photo or film.
Art history electives
Students are required to select three art history electives to broaden their understanding of the historical development of the arts. Art history electives include:
2039-300 History of Design
2039-306 Architecture Interior and Furniture Design I
2039-307 Architecture Interior and Furniture Design II
2039-308 Architecture Interior and Furniture Design III
2039-310 History of Crafts
2039-315 Pre-Columbian Art
2039-316 Florence and Rome 1400-1470
2039-317 Florence and Rome 1470-1520
2039-318 Florence and Rome 1520-1590
2039-320 History of Art Criticism
2039-330 Philosophy in Art
2039-340 Symbols and Symbol Making
2039-355 Latin American Art
2039-360 18th and 19th Century Art
2039-368 Scandinavian Modernism
2039-375 20th Century Art Since 1950
2039-376 Renaissance Painting in Flanders
2039-385 Installation Art
2039-390 Native American Art and Culture
2039-395 Theory and Criticism of 20th Century Art
2039-410 The Art of Art History
2039-415 Thinking About Making
2039-425 Public Art/Public Spaces
2039-430 Dada and Surrealism
2039-433 What Is Post Modernism?
2039-435 Art of the Last Decade
2039-438 Body in Art
2039-440 Conceptual Art
2039-443 Art and Technology: From the Machine Aesthetic to the Cyborg Age
2039-452 Art and Activism
2039-459 Art Central Italy 1250-1400
2039-469 Baroque Rome