Industrial Design
The Industrial Design Program prepares students to be creative, practical, user-centered, aesthetics-focused, problem-solving, and opportunity-exploring designers, design strategists, or design leaders.
The NC State University Industrial Design Program is one of the top professional programs in this discipline in the country. The program offers Bachelor of Industrial Design (BID) and Master of Industrial Design (MID) degrees, both accredited by The National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
Students learn and practice design in a studio environment very similar to that of professional design offices. Students methodically study human physical and cognitive interaction with artifacts and services in order to discover user experience insights and then create innovative solutions to design problems. The dynamic and sophisticated balance of form, function, innovation, and practicality are constantly debated and articulated throughout the journey to better design.
Finally, a Home
The Industrial Design faculty have joined NC State University from prestigious institutions around the world, each bringing years of experience in design, research, innovation, and education. The graduates from the program are enhancing the quality of life experiences with the creative design of products, services, branding, and communication systems for companies such as IDEO, Nike, Volvo, IBM, Toshiba, Dell, Pentagram, PepsiCo, RKS Design, Microsoft, The Smithsonian, Adidas, Hasbro, Target, and Bosch.
What is Industrial Design?
Industrial design is the professional service of creating and developing concepts and specifications that optimize the function, value, and appearance of products and systems for the mutual benefit of both user and manufacturer. Industrial designers develop these concepts and specifications for the user and manufacturer through the collection, analysis, and synthesis of data, often within the context of cooperative working relationships with other members of a development group such as management, marketing, engineering, and manufacturing specialists. They then communicate their clear and concise recommendations through drawings, models, and verbal descriptions that embody all relevant design criteria determined by the group.
The industrial designer’s unique contribution emphasizes those aspects of the product or system that relate most directly to human characteristics, needs, experiences, and interests. This contribution requires specialized understanding of visual, spatial, and tactile senses as well as product safety and convenience criteria. Industrial designers are experts in anticipating psychological, physiological and sociological factors and perceptions that influence users of products and services. Industrial designers also maintain a practical concern for the technical processes and requirements for manufacturing; marketing opportunities and economic constraints; and regulatory requirements relevant to good design.
In addition to supplying concepts for products and systems, industrial designers are often retained for consultation on a variety of problems that have to do with product and organization identity systems, development of communication systems, interior and exhibit design, advertising devices and packaging, and other related services. Their expertise is often sought in a wide variety of administrative arenas to assist in developing industry standards, regulatory guidelines, and quality control procedures to improve manufacturing operations and products. Industrial designers are guided by a professional obligation to protect the public safety and well-being, to respect the environment, and to observe contractual and ethical business practices.
See Student Work
See more examples of student work here: Department of Industrial Design Student Work
“I would not be who I am and where I am today, if not for the culture fostered by the College of Design."
When Demarcus Williams (’03) thought about the ways in which he could support NC State University’s College of Design following graduation, he thought back to his own experience.
When he enrolled, he was one of seven Black students in a class of 120 that year. He was the only Black student to graduate in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design.
The experience came with some challenges, but the college was there as an extended, supportive family for him.
For Williams, giving back is about helping current and future students have the same experience or one that’s even better. He’s kept up with the college since graduation, returning as a guest speaker and for alumni events. Williams also currently serves on the board of directors for NC State’s Alumni Association.
He’s seen the college work to enroll and support students from all races, ethnicities and life experiences.
Read the full story of how Williams is designing an inclusive college experience through philanthropy in our bio.
It`s the last week of class and it is *crunch* time. ✍📐🏗
What lifted your spirits as a student when faced with a looming deadline?
Despite being raised in the heart of a community ravaged by cartel fighting, Melissa Manjarrez Dominguez discovered something transformative – the power environments can hold to foster unity.
Her journey began amidst the arid landscapes and agricultural communities of Sinaloa, Mexico. Raised in the heart of a region ravaged by cartels, she witnessed firsthand the spread of violence and fear. Yet, amid the chaos, she also observed something remarkable – the power of certain spaces to bring people together, offering respite from the turmoil and fostering unity.
After graduating, Melissa embarked on a transformative journey across five continents. From bustling cities to remote villages, she encountered communities grappling with similar challenges of violence and division. In each place, she discovered pockets of hope – spaces that transcended the chaos, where families gathered, and humanity’s love prevailed.
Reflecting on these experiences, Melissa found her calling in landscape architecture. “Everywhere I went, I saw the potential of design to heal wounds and unite communities,” she says. It was this realization that drew her to NC State, where she believed she could learn to create spaces that promote peace and inclusivity.
Today, Melissa is not only a passionate advocate for landscape architecture but also a champion for diversity and community engagement. As the president of Women in Landscape Architecture (WxLA), she is dedicated to attracting more diverse students to the field. Her commitment to fostering community is evident in her immersive study of Moore Square Park in downtown Raleigh. Through her work, Melissa seeks to create inclusive and peaceful spaces that bring people together.
Recently, Melissa shared her insights on landscape architecture, and her efforts to promote diversity and community engagement in a Q&A session. Read her story in our bio!
Students in MADTech are leveling up their skills along with like-minded student groups from @wpeaceu and @waketechcc. 🎮👾🕹️
This week, the Brooks Hall Rotunda was filled with students and instructors eager to show off what it takes to make a game from scratch.
Video game design has taken off at the College of Design in recent years. Now, with a wide array of accessible software at our fingertips, curricula are being taught which include game platforms and logistics, applied game design concepts, aesthetics and world-building, dynamics and gameplay, plus mechanics and development.
We can’t wait to see what’s next!
📰 OPINION: Is ‘Systems Thinking’ the new buzzword in UX?
✍️ by Doctor of Design student, Meghan Bausone for @medium.
UX professionals can successfully add systems thinking into our work, yet we should be willing to do it justice. This means we’ve got to get comfortable with the uncomfortable.
There is a growing interest in systems thinking as a framework for designers to apply in solving user experience problems. Some are even donning new titles as ‘systems designers.’
It might seem like a new fad or a pivot from the awkward growing pains that UX is experiencing. Systems thinking sounds intriguing, even intuitive, to those working in human-centered design spaces. To answer the question posed in the title of this article — it might be fashionable; however, it should be given more attention than just a passing phrase in the spotlight.
Encouraging momentum toward UX successfully adopting systems thinking can be found, as Sheryl Cababa describes in her 2023 book Closing the Loop; Systems Thinking for Designers.
Anyone promoting it should understand its rich history and do it justice to avoid degrading its potential. This means we’ve got to get comfortable with the uncomfortable.
Full story in our bio.
Congratulations to our 2024 NC State Design Graduate Research Symposium winners! 👏🎉
🥇 Paula León, Industrial Design
🥈 Natalie Thibault, Industrial Design
🥉 Maren Parsell, Doctor of Design
Nearly 200 NC State graduate students presented their research projects during the 17th annual Graduate Student Research Symposium held at the McKimmon Center on April 3.
Co-sponsored at NC State by the Graduate School and Graduate Student Association, the research symposium is the signature event of Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week and recognizes the importance of graduate education and research to the university’s mission.
This year 27 graduate students were selected as top performers after being evaluated on the quality of their research, the effectiveness of their poster presentation, their oral communication skills, and the creativity and aesthetic appeal of their poster.
“The Symposium is a true showcase of talent at the graduate level here at NC State,” said David Shafer, Assistant Dean for Outreach and Recruitment. “It’s always amazing to see the vast variety of work going on at the graduate level—listening to the presenters interact with each other, the judges and often communicating their work to those in totally different fields than their own.”
All winners receive a plaque and a cash prize. First place winners receive $500; second place, $350; and third place, $250.
Professor of Architecture Thomas Barrie is a recipient of @nctate`s Alexander Quarles Holladay Medal for Excellence - the highest honor for faculty bestowed by the NC State Board of Trustees. 🏅🏘️
Barrie is committed to broadening the scope and audience of architecture through research, extension and community-based design studios in housing and urban design.
He is the director of the Affordable Housing + Sustainable Communities initiative, whose mission is to provide educational resources for government, non-profit groups, community leaders, and the general public with innovative and applicable solutions to housing and urban challenges faced in North Carolina.
Read the full story in our bio to learn more about Barrie and his work.
This year’s Student Publication, volume 40, explores the intersection of design and spirituality. 🖥🕯
Editor Steven Nohren dove headfirst into editing the publication as a design studies student, returning full-time after taking a sabbatical during the pandemic.
Early on, he identified the core concept – Artificial Apotheosis– exploring the convergence of the design world and 21st-century technologies, ranging from cyberspace, synthetic biology, generative code and predominantly artificial intelligence.
Now, Nohren is attending talks on AI and approaching professionals to contribute to one of the college’s oldest print media.
Nohren says the project has challenged him academically, socially, professionally and emotionally.
He struggles with translating the immaterial subjects and nonphysical themes into compelling visuals for the 75+ page book.
It’s all worth it to see his creative vision become embedded within the college’s history, cataloged in its archives as representative of a moment in time.
As of now, it’s a race against the clock to complete the work before his graduation in May. “I’ve been trying to tell myself, you get there when you get there,” he says.
He hopes the publication permeates throughout the college, and is taken by future students as they complete their admissions tours.
Read the full story in our bio.
It’s April 1st, but we’re not fooling around. Tickets for @ncsuart2wear are now on sale. 🔥💃
🐺 $10 for @ncstate students
🐺 $20 for faculty and staff
🐺 $30 for public admission
Link in our bio to get yours while they last. 😎
🌸
Yesterday, #GivingPack made a 💥record-breaking💥 impact at the College of Design.
🎁 579 gifts made (our highest ever)
💸 $301,080 raised for design education
🐺 One Pack brought together for a cause
Thank you all for your donations, your stories and your support. ❤️
Color with the Pack was 👨🏻🍳💋
Thank you to everyone who came out to show the spirit of the College of Design community! 🙏🐺
You still have time to support our students by #GivingPack. Visit the link in our bio to make your gift and a lasting impact on design @ncstate.