Industrial Design
Innovation.
Personal commitment.
The MFA program has been constructed to allow artists of keen perception, daring innovation, and unflagging commitment to rise to the top of the industrial design field. Working hand-in-hand with professors and peers, you will wrestle with the philosophies and practices that shape contemporary industrial design. Working independently, you will chisel out your own aesthetic goals. Working collectively, we will help define the future of industrial design.
In preparation for a career in industrial design, we expect our students to develop a mastery of the theories and skills central to the craft. But we also want our students to explore the breadth of art forms studied at the School of Art + Design. So, at the core of our curriculum you’ll find courses dedicated to the practices of industrial design. In addition, you’ll consult with a faculty advisor to select a range of supplementary electives. Each of the four semesters, you’ll juggle a roster of guided seminars, studio assignments, and self-initiated projects. You will balance collaborative problem solving with individual innovation. During your final year, you will bring your personal projects into clearer focus. The degree culminates in an exhibition of your work and the submission of a master’s essay.
Our program readies students to move on to careers as design practitioners, as project managers, as educators. It is, in other words, an art degree with a professional flare. For this reason, we seek students who are creative, serious-minded, and determined to leave their mark on this rapidly growing field.
Resources in Industrial Design
As an MFA student at the School of Art + Design, you’ll enjoy an array of resources assembled to enhance your education:
High-tech teaching studios and labs
Individual studio space
Well-equipped presentation areas and seminar rooms
Cutting-edge technology facilities stocked with more than 70 computers and advanced software packages for 2-D, 3-D, CAD, computer modeling, rapid prototyping, and animation programs
State-of-the-art 3-D printer and laser cutter
A modern engineering and woodshop facility
The 8,000+ pieces in the Krannert Art Museum archives
The extensive holdings at the Ricker Library of Architecture and Art
Faculty consultation on national and international design competitions
Partnerships with design-oriented businesses, manufacturers, and other relevant professionals
