Product design combines the fields of art, engineering, technology, psychology, business, and sociology to design the products, services, and experiences people interact with every day. The program in product design focuses creativity and intellect, and prepares students for careers in a range of product design fields including corporate product design, design consulting, design research, experiential design, entrepreneurial endeavors, sustainable product development, and social impact design initiatives.
The major in product design is centered on teaching students the technical skills to develop and design products, services, and experiences for a vast array of industries as well as the strategic problem-finding and problem-solving skills that can be applied across a variety of contexts. Product design majors will learn design research methods focused on product development, commercialization, and user experience. It will also encourage diverse collaboration to address opportunities in sustainability, social impact design, health, technology, and interdisciplinary product development and innovation.
Students have the opportunity to create products ranging from consumer products, furniture, and toys to medical devices, wearable technology, and interactive experiences through design studio courses, competitions, and campus design jams. Students learn in state-of-the-art facilities that include studios, a modeling shop, digital fabrication lab (laser cutters, 3D printers, and CNC routers), and a smart product lab. The shops, labs, and studios are collaborative, design-centered spaces, built to promote and sustain the studio culture students will enter upon graduation.
Students enrolled in the Product Design major will be expected to pursue a minor outside of Product Design that will allow them to apply their design capabilities toward a specific area of expertise.