Industrial Design

As described by the Industrial Designers Society of America, "Industrial Design (ID) is the professional service of creating and developing concepts and specifications that optimize the function, value and appearance of products and systems for the mutual benefit of both user and manufacturer.

Industrial designers develop these concepts and specifications through collection, analysis and synthesis of data guided by the special requirements of the users, client and manufacturer. They are trained to prepare clear and concise recommendations through drawings, models and verbal descriptions.

Industrial design services are often provided within the context of cooperative working relationships with other members of a development group. Typical groups include management, marketing, engineering and manufacturing specialists. The industrial designer expresses concepts that embody all relevant design criteria determined by the group.

The industrial designer's unique contribution places emphasis on those aspects of the product or system that relate most directly to human characteristics, needs and interests. This contribution requires specialized understanding of visual, tactile, safety and convenience criteria, with concern for the user. Education and experience in anticipating psychological, physiological and sociological factors that influence and are perceived by the user are essential industrial design resources."

The internationally recognized program at Virginia Tech, fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, prepares individuals to enter this dynamic field through a rigorous curriculum and an experienced, dedicated faculty.

• 2015-2016: INDUSTRIAL DESIGN LABORATORY II
• 2044: HUMAN FACTORS
• 2065-2066: DESIGN VISUALIZATION
• 2114: HISTORY AND THEORY OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
• 2124: HISTORY AND THEORY OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN-DESIGNERS
• 2214: IDS STUDIO FOR MINORS
• 2304: COMPUTER AIDED INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
• 2974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
• 2984: SPECIAL STUDY
• 3015-3016: INDUSTRIAL DESIGN LABORATORY III
• 3124: MATERIALS AND PROCESSES
• 3204: TOPICS IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
• 3214: IDS SUMMER STUDIO
• 3224: TOPICS IN DESIGN COMPETENCIES
• 3234: TOPICS IN DESIGN THEORY
• 3514: DESIGN RESEARCH
• 4015-4016: INDUSTRIAL DESIGN LABORATORY IV
• 4044: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
• 4094 (ENGE 4094) (MGT 4094): MANAGING TECH COMMERCIALIZATN
• 4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
• 4984: SPECIAL STUDY

1. Application Fee: A non-refundable fee of $70 for all international students applying for admission must be submitted. The check must be written on a U.S. bank, a foreign bank with a U.S. correspondent, or a U.S. money order. Your application will not be processed without this fee. Students who apply online are required to pay the application fee electronically with either a debit or credit card (MasterCard or VISA), or an electronic check.
2. SAT Reasoning Test or ACT Scores (Optional for international applicants): Virginia Tech’s CEEB code is 5859; the ACT code is 4420. 
3. InitialView Interview (Optional for international applicants): You may learn more about InitialView at www.initialview.com. Please arrange to have your interview completed as early as possible. The deadline for completing the interview is February 15, 2017. For additional details, see the requirements page.
4. TOEFL/IELTS/PTE: Applicants whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Pearson Test for English (PTE). Scores should be received on or before March 1. To have your TOEFL score automatically sent to Virginia Tech, please specify Virginia Tech’s CEEB code (5859) on the test form. 
5. Educational Documents: All documents in a language other than English must be accompanied by certified English translations. Notarized translations alone will not be accepted. Translations supplement, but do not replace original documents. Remember to send both.
   • Diplomas/Certificates: Students who have completed secondary school or high school must submit copies of their diplomas or school leaving certificates. Report of scores on school leaving examinations must also be submitted.
   • Transcript/Statement of Marks: This contains the record of courses studied, marks (grades) awarded, length of class periods, and grading scale with minimum passing mark. These must be submitted for upper secondary or high school years and must be complete for applicants who have graduated from school. For those applicants who are still enrolled in school, the transcript, or statement of marks, must show the most current term of grades to date. The transcript must be an original copy, certified by the sending institution.