how big is the program? how many students/faculty?
about 90-120 students, and about 6 full time faculty
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how big is the focus on technical skills (drawing, CAD, etc.) vs. creative skills and design thinking?
The focus is on all of that, you will need to push yourself and your peers to develop good forms. The workshop use to be just excellent, but due to people upstairs, it is being crippled by a limited schedule and a lack of faith.
how much of the curriculum is studio-based?
Nearly all of it
where do you feel the balance of the program lies with respect to artistic vs. engineering-focused approach?
The program is in the basement of the art and design building, on the opposite side of campus from Eng. But you are on a campus with a top ranked business school and Engineering school, and if you try you can take advantage of the opportunities they bring.
how difficult do you think it is to get into the ID program?
Start working on your own stuff now, and post it up here for review, talk to the profs and get feedback from them. Make them know who you are and that you are interested in the program, you will do fine.
any other impressions of the program
It’s getting better all the time, and the university has resources that small art schools couldn’t dream of. But a lot of the program is on your shoulders to put it what you want to get out. Don’t be afraid to do what you want then apologize to no one later.
Definitely some UIUC alums on here (S4Fingers and myself along with some others), not sure where the current crop of students are at in terms of Core discussion forums.
I attended the job fair last year and as usual the top students in each class were solid, good work and some really great thinking. Many of the other students were just okay, but it’s like that at most schools. I took one of our Directors with me (or rather he took me) and he hadn’t really been aware of the program before, but came away with a very good impression.
I visited for the first time last year when the student chapter of the IDSA asked me to speak there. I also had a positive feeling. It had something that I always look for in a design program, which I define as scrappiness. What I mean by that is that they don’t seem to rest on their laurels, which I think is the worst kind of academic complacency. There is no sense of “because I go here I’m guaranteed anything”. These kinds of environments tend to breed peer relationships that are competitive as well as complimentary. There is a sense of camaraderie. This kind of thing is transient because it is based on the students and professors of the moment, not the bricks of the campus, and highly reliant on the upper classmen, so visit and talk to students.
We have around 32-40 kids per year in our program with 4 full time industrial design faculty and 2 that teach a few classes. Many of the classes are help taught by graduate students.
In terms of technical skills, there is an even emphasis on sketching and 3d modeling. We also put an emphasis on research and user-centered design, which sets us apart from some other schools.
The curriculum is largely studio based. There are not a lot of required classes which gives you flexibility in choosing your other courses. Outside of class, you’ll see that studio is very important and there are always a handful of us there 24/7, especially when a project deadline is approaching. We are a close-knit group of students and we keep it fun.
There is more of a focus on research and functionality than pure artistic form. Styling and aesthetics are definitely appreciated but only that alone won’t cut it. We also have branding projects and opportunities to work with some company sponsored projects.
Although we are in the art program, the university offers a variety of classes that can help you become a well rounded designer. As a student you should take advantage of these to help expand your mind. We have a few courses that work with engineering and marketing. In these courses you will have to consider the engineering side and be able to present your aesthetics to both groups.
5. Since there are 40 spots available for art students, there is usually enough availability for people who want to get in.
6. This program is heavily, heavily influenced by it’s student body. The student chapter helps organize all of the events including visits from professionals like yo, to job fair, and also company visits. We all learn from each other, especially since we are together day and night. We are constantly learning and sharing with each other in order to keep ourselves in the game. The program is as much as you put in to it. No matter where you go, you must push yourself, learn from others, and never feel complacent.