Industrial Design Schools: Opinions and Questions

I think UC is the right choice. They do a big chair project every year and the curriculum is very balanced. It doesn’t have the fine arts bent but I think you have to make choices. Many time UX/UI and furniture are in different programs, and for good reasons. The skill sets are completely different and the types of designers they attract tend to be on opposite sides of the spectrum. UC is a rare one that is a little more blended, likely due to being a university. Going a little farther from home is a good thing. I grew up in the Hudson Valley and went to RISD, but I could have used going a little farther from home.

Hi!

A lot of the pots listed here discuss institutes offering an MID, an MDes or an MA in Industrial Design. Does anyone have information on universities in US/UK/EU offering a Masters of Science in Industrial Design?

Thanks!

Hello everyone! I’m a Mechanical Engineering graduate who’s recently decided to switch careers into Industrial Design. My natural course of action was to start building a portfolio for applications as well as researching universities for a Masters program.

I noticed that most of the 2-year Masters programs have a preference for students with bachelors degrees in design or related fields. I did however come across a few 3-year programs which are geared towards students who come from a non-design background. I’ve more or less decided on the 3-year courses since I believe I’d need the extra foundation year to get my skills up to scratch.

When it comes to Industrial design, I have an inclination towards the ideation and prototyping phase, UI/UX, and interaction. So, based on the above information, here’s my question:

Which school/university would you recommend for my interests which also offers a 3-year graduate program? I’ve looked up schools like CMU, RISD, Pratt, and Georgia Tech, but don’t have a solid opinion on them yet.

Any help is appreciated. Cheers!

I highly recommend visiting them. All four of them are very different schools.

I would ask the question if you are leaning towards UI/UX if you actually want to pursue Industrial Design at all, or actually want to look for a dedicated interaction design/Human Computer Interaction program. There are programs that will let you do hybrids of both, but if you want to focus specifically you may come out with a more stronger portfolio in that area.

CMU has an outstanding HCI program. Georgia Tech also offers a masters degree in that field. All are good programs but very different. More specifically, if you are going to spend 4 years somewhere, you should decide if it’s going to be Pittsburgh, Atlanta, RI or NYC. All have very different vibes which will make some people happy and some miserable.

Hey Mike and Yo, thanks for the suggestions! However I’m not from the US, so visiting these schools prior to admission won’t be possible.

I think I wasn’t entirely descriptive about my interests, since I see I only mentioned UI/UX to be an interest. Apart from that, I’d say that my primary focus would be user-centric products, both tangible and intangible. Ergonomics is also something that greatly interests me. So for example, designing a game controller would be something I’d like to do in the future, since it has all the aspects that I’m interested in.

I think this is why I want to get into Industrial design, since I don’t want to restrict myself to UI/UX only. I feel I’d get more exposure on the whole, and can then make a decision on what I’d want to specialize in.

Pratt or Art Center. Why on earth would one think arts are properly supported in state schools? Why live in a “red” state? Your choice of school is the first step in defining yourself and your interests.

When my son was looking at schools (non visual fields) I told him to pick a brand name and that way people don’t have to ask you “What state is that in?”

My Choice? Pratt.

That is an odd way of looking at things. It is hard to argue with the portfolios coming out of the Ohio schools in my opinion.

Just a quesiton of proximity to major metropolitan areas and all of the exposure to so many things that affords. That kind of environment rounds out a person and adds so much more than the curriculum itself. The measure of a designer is not their portfolio alone.

Is Australia has scope for Industrial Design?? and Which is best Universities or colleges to do Masters of industrial design in Australia?

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Hi,
I am a Product Designer based in India.

Could anyone give me a feedback on the following 2 masters course and how suitable are they for a product designer?

Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Dessau - Master in Integrated Design

TH Köln (University of Applied Sciences) - Master in Integrated Design

As the course are open to various design disciplines, are they structured or very open-ended?

Hi all, daughter trying to decide where to go for Industrial Design. She has been admitted to UC Daap, Virginia Tech, RIT, OSU, Auburn. These are all so different that it is hard to decide. She loved the feel of UC. Any advice on which is the best? Thank you in advance!

UC

UC’s portfolios are really good.
I would research their programs, look at their professional networks and see if they offer sponsored projects, co-ops, or internship opportunities.
Good luck.

I’d almost stick RIT up there with UC - some of the UC books and people I’ve encountered who are looking for their first job, I get the feeling like they’ve been told for four years that “you go to UC, your s–t doesn’t stink” and it goes to their heads. RIT has a bit more grit, perhaps. Maybe its the awful winters.

I have seen some very good portfolios from UC, especially in automotive. But also quite plain and generic ones. In the end the motivation and work ethic of the student is what matters most. However I can tell you that harsh winters are great for productivity, and creativity!

What you make of it is very true and best advice, but the industry connections and Co-Op at UC are top notch, which is hugely valuable, even long term.

I have also run into a lot of egos that come out of that school as well, both students and industry professionals, and can be off putting.

I had UC students in the mid/late '90s turn their up nose at co-op opportunities at Panasonic when I was ID lead there. Granted, Panasonic was located about 2 hours south of Cincinnati (a bit south of Lexington, KY), but I would think that having a co-op at Panasonic would look good on a resume. After a few tries, I quit notifying them about co-op jobs we had open.
I’m an '86 Auburn grad, so I’m partial to Auburn. Not an art school, but it’s a great university with a well rounded program. I was in state, so tuition in mid '80s was literally 1/10th what it is currently for in state.

Hi everyone! Does anyone have feedback on the Industrial Design Engineering BA Program at the Hague University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands? Is it worth going there?

Just wondering, if this list is still valid after almost 2 decades or there is any particular new edits?