Industrial Design

The Bachelor of Industrial Design program at Iowa State University is a comprehensive undergraduate degree that prepares students to become innovative designers capable of creating functional, aesthetic, and sustainable products for a variety of industries. This program emphasizes a user-centered approach, integrating principles of engineering, art, and business to develop designers who can solve complex problems and meet the needs of diverse users. Throughout their studies, students engage in hands-on projects, collaborative teamwork, and real-world case studies that foster critical thinking, creativity, and technical proficiency. The curriculum covers core topics such as visual communication, human factors, material science, manufacturing processes, and digital design tools, ensuring graduates are well-versed in both traditional and emerging technologies. Students also have opportunities to specialize in areas like product design, furniture, transportation, or interactive media, allowing them to tailor their education to specific career goals. The program benefits from state-of-the-art facilities including dedicated studios, prototyping labs, and digital fabrication equipment, providing an ideal environment for experimentation and skill development. Faculty members bring a wealth of industry experience, mentoring students and connecting them with professional networks. Graduates of the Industrial Design program are equipped to enter careers in product design firms, corporate design departments, or to pursue advanced studies. They emerge as skilled innovators ready to contribute to industries such as consumer electronics, healthcare, transportation, and sustainable design, helping shape the future of everyday products and experiences.

The definitions of the research areas are listed below with sub-categories.

Innovation through Design:

Exploring the synthesis of needs, technologies and business models and investigating methodologies to support design innovation to create sustainable competitive advantage.

1. Innovation in Practice: Investigating the endeavors of designers to extend the knowledge base of design as part of their professional responsibility with the goal of exploring and generalizing knowledge based on design activities and products.
2. Innovation Methodology: Studying the current design methodologies embedded in the design process and generating innovative methodologies that will speed up the process and facilitate effective communications across disciplines. How can we minimize the amount of time spent in the transition from concept generation to manufacturing? How can manufacturing constraints be transferred to the early stages of the design process? How can we help design students become effective collaborators throughout the design process? How can we support design practitioners in searching, sharing, evaluating and choosing appropriate approaches for successful innovation?
3. Social Innovation: Studying new strategies, processes and solutions that meet the social needs and create social value, and educating the society for community development and health.

Design as Strategy:

Exploring strategic decision making and organizational aspects of the design process regarding the direction to choose and how to manage relationships with partners within a business. It integrates expertise from design, management, organizational processes and psychology of design-making into a systems approach. Through the lens of Design as Strategy, we see design taking a leadership role. We understand design as being holistic, incorporating all possible influences, employing all modes of processing and having its own culture of thinking and doing. In the words of Nelson and Stolterman, having its own culture of inquiry and action. We are taking a systemic approach to disseminating design outside our own domain, putting the tools and methods front and center from research to implementation.

1. Entrepreneurship: Designers are the new drivers of entrepreneurialism. This research area focuses on the growing demands of the global culture and creative industries and the skills vital in today’s modern entrepreneurial and knowledge-based economy.
2. Design Management: Examining companies’ design capabilities and brand strategies, and how their strategies are reflected in/on their products. How do industrial designers interact effectively with other disciplines and how do they practice management skills regarding managing people, projects, schedules and budgets among other responsibilities?
3. Data VIZ: The role of data visualization is of the utmost importance in the design process. Through visualization or what we call visual sensemaking, we discover connections and identify patterns, communicate thoughts and ideas, synthesize problems, uncover facts and create possibilities. Visual sensemaking can break down barriers through low-fidelity visualizations, allowing for an all-inclusive problem identifying and solution creating environment in cross- and interdisciplinary teams.

Human-Centered Design:

The success of every innovative design solution lies in a human-centered approach to design and development. Human-centered design is a creative problem-solving approach for designing products and services that are centered on human needs. The research concentration will focus on practicing diverse ethnographic and social science methodologies for translating human needs into meaningful products and services. Innovation through human-centered design is the key for developing innovative solutions that are valuable to users, obtain competitive advantage and are environmentally and socially responsible.

1. Culture-Centered Design: In this era of increasing globalization, products and services initially designed to serve only the local market are now reaching across international boundaries. Designers in this global age are agents of cultural change and should be cognizant of the impact their products have on local cultures. How can we design products that are culturally appropriate? How do global changes impact local cultural preferences? Culture-centered design provides a framework designers and researchers to integrate cultural aspects, both micro and macro, into the design and development process.

• Undergraduate degree in design or engineering fields or three-year related experience in design practice.
• Minimum undergraduate GPA: 3.0/4.0 for full admission. Below 3.0/4.0 may be considered for restricted admission but must maintain 3.0 if accepted and until degree confirmation.
• Minimum TOEFL score: 95
• GRE: Not required
• Compliance with General Graduate College requirements not outlined above.
• Research Proposal: The proposal should specify the research area on which you wish to focus with details on the objectives and deliverables to be accomplished. (See Research Areas section that follows.) This proposal should also include the names of the faculty member(s) with whom you would like to work, describing the reasons you are interested in that (those) faculty member(s)’s research portfolio. This proposal could be submitted as a 2-minute video, a 2-page written document or a 2-page visual documentation.
• Visual Portfolio: A minimum of 5-page PDF file demonstrating the visual skills of the applicant including examples of process work and problem solving.
• References: Names, email addresses and phone numbers of three references with their titles and affiliations.
• Copies of your most recent transcripts.
• Skype or Phone Interview: As needed.
• Compliance with Graduate College requirements.

The Iowa State University of Science and Technology offers various financial aid options to support students pursuing a degree in Industrial Design. Prospective and current students can access a range of scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities to help fund their education. Institutional scholarships are available based on academic achievement, talent, and financial need, including those specifically designated for design students. Additionally, students are encouraged to explore external funding sources such as state or federal grants, private scholarships, and industry-sponsored awards.

Federal financial aid is accessible through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which students should complete annually to determine eligibility for grants like the Pell Grant, federal work-study programs, and federal student loans. Iowa State University participates in these federal programs, offering manageable loan options with favorable interest rates and repayment plans. The university also provides information and guidance on financial planning, budgeting, and loan management, supporting students throughout their academic journey.

Graduate students in Industrial Design may have access to assistantships, fellowships, and research grants that provide stipends and tuition remission. The university’s Career Services and Financial Aid Office offer resources to help students navigate the application processes, understand the costs involved, and develop a comprehensive financial plan. Some programs may also have specific funding opportunities for underrepresented groups or students demonstrating exceptional potential.

Students are advised to regularly review university announcements and communicate with financial aid advisors to stay informed about upcoming deadlines and new funding opportunities. Overall, Iowa State University is committed to making higher education accessible and affordable for Industrial Design students by offering a diverse array of financial assistance programs tailored to meet various needs and circumstances.

The Bachelor of Industrial Design program at Iowa State University of Science and Technology is a comprehensive undergraduate degree focused on the development of design skills, technical knowledge, and innovative thinking necessary for a successful career in industrial design. The program emphasizes user-centered design principles, creativity, technical proficiency, and sustainable practices. Students enrolled in this program will engage in a variety of coursework that combines design theory, human factors, engineering principles, and hands-on studio work. The curriculum is designed to equip students with the ability to analyze complex problems, develop innovative solutions, and communicate their ideas effectively through sketches, models, and digital media.

The program incorporates state-of-the-art facilities, including design studios, prototyping labs, and digital fabrication tools, providing students with a practical environment to refine their skills. In addition to technical training, students are encouraged to develop a strong understanding of market trends, manufacturing processes, and environmental considerations relevant to product development. Collaboration with industry partners and participation in real-world projects are integral parts of the program, offering valuable industry experience and networking opportunities.

The program prepares graduates for diverse careers in product design, consumer electronics, furniture, medical devices, transportation, and other areas where functional, aesthetic, and sustainable design are critical. Students also have opportunities to participate in internships, study abroad programs, and design competitions, which enrich their educational experience. The faculty comprises experienced professionals and researchers dedicated to mentoring students and fostering innovation.

Upon completion of the degree, graduates are well-equipped to pursue careers in design consultancies, manufacturing companies, or to continue their education through advanced degrees in industrial design or related fields. The program emphasizes ethical considerations in design, promoting responsible practice that benefits society and the environment. Overall, the Bachelor of Industrial Design at Iowa State University aims to produce creative, skilled, and socially responsible designers capable of addressing the challenges of modern product development and market demands.