The industrial design major is a professional program with intensive course work to prepare students for professional design positions. Purdue is unique in that is combines the professional degree with a liberal arts education. This combination prepares students for strong leadership roles as industrial designers. The four-year degree has an emphasis in form giving for manufactured goods. Students' graduate with the ability to be innovative problem solvers and create aesthetically appropriate forms that can be manufactured by industry. This program is a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA).
Special note regarding portfolio review - An art portfolio is not required to begin this major. However, students are required to pass a selective portfolio review in the spring of their sophomore year to advance to upper level design and complete this major. Selection is competitive and is based on the student's work in Purdue art and design courses and development as a designer. Students not selected for upper level Industrial Design work with their academic advisor to change to their second choice major, usually without adding time to their four-year degree plan.
All liberal arts majors prepare students with the skills identified as contributing to managerial success: communicating and listening well, possessing insights into others, creative/critical thinking, problem solving, and the ability to make connections across complex ideas.