Lara Cardoso Goulart

Lecturer, Design

School of Design

College of Art and Design

Undegraduate Program Co-Director, Industrial Design

lcfaa@rit.edu

585-475-2668

Office Location

BOO-4624

Lara Cardoso Goulart

Lecturer, Design

School of Design

College of Art and Design

Undegraduate Program Co-Director, Industrial Design

Bio

Lara Cardoso Goulart is an Industrial Designer, educator, and creative strategist with a strong background in design education, product development, and interdisciplinary collaboration. She holds an MFA in Industrial Design from Rochester Institute of Technology and a Bachelor's in Graphic and Product Design from the University of Brasilia. Lara currently serves as Co-Director of the Industrial Design undergraduate program at RIT, where she leads curriculum development, student advising, and alumni engagement. Her teaching spans a wide range of design courses, and she has received multiple accolades for innovative pedagogy. Lara’s professional journey includes founding a children’s creative education startup in Brazil, co-leading a smart coffee maker startup selected for a prestigious accelerator in Rome, and organizing an international study abroad program. Her work blends empathy-driven design, hands-on prototyping, and inclusive teaching practices.

lcfaa@rit.edu

585-475-2668

Areas of Expertise

Industrial Design

Creative Entrepreneurship

Currently Teaching

IDDE-201

Sophomore ID Studio I

3 Credits

This course will focus on experimentation and discovery through the exploration of creative problem solving techniques. Students will explore the dynamics between objects and the user’s senses, emotions, and expressed needs. Using drawing, sketch-modeling and basic shop skills, students will discover the wide choice of materials industrial designers use to further develop their projects. Concepts of recycling and reuse are introduced along with philosophical design approaches, and historical examples. Emphasis will be placed on the improvement of craft in the development of projects and on clarity and professionalism in practice. **Fee: A course fee is required for this course and applied via student account**

IDDE-202

Sophomore ID Studio II

3 Credits

This course focuses on the product design process for the industry, focusing on market awareness, and manufacturing strategies. Students define target markets, conduct benchmarking, and design products aligned with the identified parameters. Through case studies and materials explorations, they identify components, manufacturing processes, and performance requirements that inform design decisions. Students will refine their designs into high-fidelity prototypes using digital fabrication tools, addressing aesthetic, functional, and brand-driven goals. **Fee: A course fee is required for this course and applied via student account**

IDDE-407

ID Senior Capstone I

3 Credits

This writing-intensive course is the first in a two-course sequence in which students develop their industrial design senior capstone project. The course focuses on establishing project content, defining scope, planning and scheduling, and conducting research for a faculty-approved, innovative design opportunity. Students investigate the broader social implications of design decisions and incorporate feedback from content experts and end users while documenting their research and development process. Coursework includes ideation, concept refinement, and early-stage evaluation. At the end of this course, students will be able to articulate a well-supported design direction and prepare a refined concept for further development in Capstone II.

IDDE-408

ID Senior Capstone II

3 Credits

This is the second course in a two-course sequence in which the industrial design capstone project is completed. Students will finalize their design solution, publicly disseminate their work, and create a written document that addresses how the theories and methods used in the project have an impact on the current and future state of design in society.

IDDE-599

Industrial Design Independent Study

1-6 Credits

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.