Art Schools Worldwide
Compare0

Subject · 181 verified programs

Industrial Design degrees

Degrees in designing manufactured products and systems, combining form, function, user research, materials and prototyping.

Also called: Product Design, Industrial and Product Design, Design for Industry, Transportation Design, Design Products.

64 Other bachelor’s award · 33 Other master’s award · 24 BFA · 23 BA / BA (Hons) · 13 MFA · 10 BDes · 9 MA · 4 MDes · 1 Other research doctorate · 138 dedicated degree, 6 documented pathway, 25 official concentration, 12 named major

181 programs

How results are ordered: alphabetically by institution, or by most recently checked when you choose that sort. There is no price ranking, because tuition in different currencies, fee categories and bases (per year, per credit, whole program) is not comparable. A program appears under a subject only through a verified link (dedicated degree, major, concentration or documented pathway). A value we could not verify is shown as “not published”, never as “no”. Items marked Sponsored are paid placements; they never change verification or order. Online programs are not counted as physically located in a state or city, and an institution’s location does not tell you whether it enrols students from your country.

About industrial design study

Industrial design is the discipline of shaping products and systems that are made in quantity, from household objects and furniture to tools, devices and transport. Degree study develops the ability to research users, define a problem, generate and test concepts, and refine form, ergonomics and usability while accounting for materials and manufacturing.

Programs usually revolve around studio projects supported by sketching, model-making, computer-aided design and prototyping. Students learn about materials and production methods, human factors, sustainability and design history, and often work in teams or with external partners. Presentation and critique are central, and projects frequently move from research to a resolved prototype.

Industrial design is distinct from engineering, which is not covered in this directory, and from sculpture, which is not bound by use or production. It overlaps with interior design in furniture and with jewelry and metalsmithing in small objects. It differs from graphic design in being concerned with physical form. Some programs use the names product design or transportation design for related emphases.

What study typically involves

  • Sketching and visualization techniques
  • Model-making and prototyping
  • Computer-aided design and rendering
  • Materials and manufacturing processes
  • Ergonomics, user research and usability
  • Sustainability and design history
  • Team projects and professional practice

Award titles. Industrial design is commonly studied within BA, BA (Hons), BFA, BDes or BID programs, and at postgraduate level within MA, MFA, MDes or MID degrees. Research degrees including PhDs may exist in some countries. Award titles differ internationally, so rely on the official program page.

Industrial design may appear as a degree title, a major in a design school or a pathway such as product or transportation design. The directory lists a program under this subject only with a verified dedicated degree, major, official concentration or documented pathway.

Portfolio and admissions guidance

Requirements differ for every program. Always check the official admissions page; this directory cannot guarantee acceptance.

Applicants to industrial design programs are often asked for a portfolio showing drawing, three-dimensional making and creative problem solving. Sketchbooks, models and photographs of built work can be helpful, and many programs do not expect prior technical software skills at entry level.

Requirements vary by country and program. Some ask for a design exercise, interview or written statement, and some also require evidence of mathematics or science study. Postgraduate programs typically look for a relevant portfolio and a statement of interests.

Confirm formats, limits and deadlines on each official admissions page. Admission is never guaranteed, and no universal template applies.

See also the guide to preparing an art portfolio.

Funding and costs

At MFA and PhD level, funding in some programs may include teaching or lab assistantships, workshop roles, research assistantships, tuition remission or competitive scholarships.

Terms vary by program, country and year, and many students receive partial or no support. Verify details directly with the program and funding bodies.

Costs beyond tuition. Students often pay for model-making and prototyping materials, workshop or fabrication fees, computing and design software, and printing or presentation costs.