- RIT's 4+2 BFA/M.Arch. enables you to complete the BFA in industrial design and enter the second year of RIT's master of architecture degree with advanced standing. Learn more about this accelerated pathway
- Our Fab Lab is equipped with 12 3D printers in addition to laser cutters, CNC routing devices, and other technology, all for you to utilize while you complete projects and class assignments.
- Currently, there are six designs from Metaproject, the industrial design senior project, that are currently in production at various companies.
- RIT's School of Design, which houses the industrial design major, is ranked among the best with Business Week naming it one of the top 10 design schools in the country.
From thumbtacks to athletic wear and medical equipment to home goods – industrial designers produce products to be used by factories, businesses, and everyday people. The industrial design degree at RIT helps you develop the aesthetic sensitivity, technical competence, and the analytical thought needed to improve the user's experience. You will be able to bring your conceptual ideas to life by developing your technical 2D communications skills and 3D prototyping ability. You will also learn how to formally move your ideas and products to the marketplace.
Industrial design involves the integration of form and function as products are designed and created by combining materials, process, computer-aided design, and human factors. Blending technical instruction with studio assignments, studies also include package, exhibit, and furniture design. Aesthetic sensitivity, technical competence, and analytical thought are developed and applied to meet the challenge of designing products for human needs.
What You'll Study
The industrial design degree integrates major courses, studio and open electives, the liberal arts, and art history electives. Computer skills, design perspectives, career preparation, and exposure to the related areas of publishing, photography, engineering, and information technology are integrated into the curriculum.
Combined Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's Degrees
Today's careers require advanced degrees grounded in real-world experience. RIT's Combined Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's Degrees enable you to earn both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years of study, all while gaining the valuable hands-on experience that comes from co-ops, internships, research, study abroad, and more.
4+2 BFA/M.Arch. Pathway: A BFA degree takes four years to complete and an M.Arch. degree typically takes an additional three to four years. In RIT's 4+2 BFA/M.Arch. Pathway, you'll complete a BFA in industrial design or interior design and then enter the second year of RIT's NAAB-accredited master of architecture degree with advanced standing. Learn how this accelerated pathway enables you to earn a BFA and an M.Arch. degree in as little as six years, saving you time and money.
+1 MBA: Students who enroll in a qualifying undergraduate degree have the opportunity to add an MBA to their bachelor's degree after their first year of study, depending on their program. Learn how the +1 MBA can accelerate your learning and position you for success.
Professional Organizations
The School of Design maintains memberships in a variety of professional organizations, including Industrial Designers Society of America, ACM Siggraph, Society of Environmental Graphic Designers, American Society of Interior Designers, American Institute of Architects, ICOGRADA, American Institute of Graphic Arts, and International Interior Design Association.
