Industrial Design Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree

Industrial design is a field of design that focuses on the creation of products, systems, and services that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional. It involves the process of designing and developing the appearance, ergonomics, usability, and user experience of various products and objects that are mass-produced for mass consumption.

Industrial designers work to improve the functionality, usability, and visual appeal of products across a wide range of industries, including consumer electronics, furniture, automobiles, appliances, medical devices, and more. They collaborate with engineers, marketers, and manufacturers to create products that meet the needs and preferences of consumers while also considering factors such as cost, sustainability, and manufacturing feasibility.

RIT’s BFA in Industrial Design Courses

RIT's industrial design BFA gives you the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as an industrial product designer and produce products used by factories, businesses, and everyday people. 

This industrial product design degree blends technical instruction with studio assignments. You will develop the aesthetic sensitivity, technical competence, and the analytical thinking needed to improve the user experience and design products that meet human needs.

The industrial design degree integrates major courses in package, exhibit, and furniture design. In addition to a mix of studio and open electives, the liberal arts, and art history electives. Bring your conceptual ideas to life in product design courses by developing your technical 2D communications skills and 3D prototyping ability, then learn how to formally move your ideas and products to the marketplace. These industrial design courses incorporate developing expertise in other areas like:

• Computer skills
• Design perspectives
• Career preparation

You will also be exposed to the related areas of:

• Photography
• Engineering
• Information technology

Furthering Your Education in Industrial Design

Combined Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degrees

Today’s careers require advanced degrees grounded in real-world experience. RIT’s Combined Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degrees enable you to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in as little as five years of study, all while gaining the valuable hands-on experience that comes from co-ops, internships, research, study abroad, and more.

• 4+2 BFA/M.Arch. Pathway: A BFA degree takes four years to complete and an M.Arch. degree typically takes an additional three to four years. In RIT’s 4+2 BFA/M.Arch. Pathway, you’ll complete a BFA in industrial design or interior design and then enter the second year of RIT’s NAAB-accredited master of architecture degree with advanced standing. Learn how this accelerated pathway enables you to earn a BFA and an M.Arch. degree in as little as six years, saving you time and money.
• +1 MBA: Students who enroll in a qualifying undergraduate degree have the opportunity to add an MBA to their bachelor’s degree after their first year of study, depending on their program. Learn how the +1 MBA can accelerate your learning and position you for success.

Professional Organizations

The School of Design 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.