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Industrial Design (BS) - Product Design

About

Product Design at Appalachian State University focuses on creative problem-solving and contextual research. As a student in the Industrial Design (BS) - Product Design program, you will be challenged to create significant innovation within an area of interest by first studying the situation, user, history, market, social and environmental concerns, manufacturing requirements and related issues – all in order to form a comprehensive understanding before you start to create solutions.

Housed in Appalachian’s Department of Applied Design, this program and its curriculum are experiential. You will participate in studio projects and industry collaborations that develop a comprehensive knowledge base. You will create physical models of the products you design, drawing from courses in design foundations, 2D and 3D CAD, and materials and processes. All of this ensures you will be prepared to become a productive member of an industry team.

The department advises transfer students to begin the program in the summer in order to complete the program in three years.

See examples of student work

After Graduation

Employment: Students have gone on to a variety of jobs throughout the United States and internationally. See a list of employers in the right column.

Graduate School: Students have also gone on to pursue graduate degrees from Southern Methodist University, Appalachian State University, N.C. State University and Georgia Institute of Technology.

Career Exploration website

People

  • Industrial design students create observational beehive for North Carolina company
    Industrial design students create observational beehive for North Carolina company

    A class project has become a hit for business, bee health and students’ practical work experience.

  • Alumna Profile: Andee Burton ’12
    Alumna Profile: Andee Burton ’12

    Andee (Hendel) Burton ’12 works in product development for Dr. Scholl’s, creating shoes that are kind to the planet.

Courses

  • Program of Study
    Program of Study
  • Four Year Guide
    Four Year Guide
  • NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide
    NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide

Related Program

  • Industrial Design (BS) - Furniture Design

Minors

A minor is not required. Popular choices for students who do pursue a minor include:

  • Marketing
  • Apparel Design and Merchandising
  • Photography
  • General Business
  • Psychology

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) - As an extension of the professional organization IDSA, the club participates in portfolio reviews, sets up group tours, hosts professional presentations and travels to district and national conferences.

American Society of Furniture Designers (ASFD) - As an extension of the professional furniture design industry, the club takes factory tours and coordinates visits to High Point Furniture Fair to better connect with the furniture industry.

Global Learning

Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.

Industrial Design has created a strong relationship with the Howest Academy in Belgium with student exchanges and the sharing of class experiences.  Also, summer studios are frequently taught in Prague, Czech Republic.

Admission Requirements

There is not an added requirement for initial admission, but there is a portfolio review after the student completes an introductory class sequence which will allow the student to take upper-level classes.

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Why Appalachian?

  • Alumni have gone on to work at world renowned design firms, corporations and independent business ventures.
  • Student work has been recognized and shown at Greener Gadgets, Dwell® on Design, Designboom® Mart in Copenhagen, High Point Furniture Market and ICFF.
  • Students have won the national Creative Juice Competition sponsored by Google®, honorable mention in the Robert Bruce Thompson Lighting Competition, and “Best of Show” at the International Woodworking Fair. Numerous student group projects have placed in the Retail and Health Innovation Challenge hosted by Wake Forest University School of Business and sponsored by CVS Health.

Location

Boone campus only

Employers

  • GoPro
  • Touchstone 3D
  • Dorel Juvenile
  • Chrome Hearts
  • Hugh’s Handsbuilt 
  • Toshiba
  • Joe Gibbs Racing
  • Kikkerland
  • Nike
  • Pensole
  • Bernhardt Design
  • LIAT (Jasper Library Furniture)
  • Intel
  • Skookum Digital Works
  • Cree Inc.
  • Westfield Outdoors
  • Hunter Fan Company
  • WestRock
  • ECR Software
  • Newell Rubbermaid - Irwin Tools
  • Milwaukee Electronic Tool Corp.
  • Techtronic Industries
  • Lowe’s Home Improvement
  • Enventy’s
  • TOMY Toys
  • Mesa Home Products

Contacts

College of Fine and Applied Arts

Department of Applied Design

Industrial Design Program

Donald Corey
Coordinator
828-262-3116
coreydc@appstate.edu

  • Department of Applied Design

    One of seven departments housed in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the Department Applied Design at Appalachian State University fosters excellence in design education, design research and professional placement. The department balances theoretical and pragmatic approaches while exploring an awareness of impact through design decisions on the global community. Faculty focus on a holistic approach to creative problem-solving by integrating sustainability and ethical responsibility in teaching and practice. The department offers bachelor’s degrees in apparel design and merchandising, industrial design and interior design.

  • College of Fine and Applied Arts

    Appalachian State University’s College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of academic departments including Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance.

    The College of Fine and Applied Arts is characterized by the educational approach of integrating theory and practice, offering students the knowledge and experience for continued education or employment. Programs within the College feature opportunities for hands-on experiential learning, international experiences and interdisciplinary engagement. The College emphasizes undergraduate teaching, while being active in grants and sponsored research. The College of Fine and Applied Arts provides a vibrant educational atmosphere, fostering the very best in teaching and learning.

    We offer:

    • BS, BA, and BFA degrees in 30 academic concentrations or specializations
    • MS degrees in 4 concentrations
    • Army ROTC program

    Community Service:

    Our students and faculty find unique ways to bring community service into the learning experience through experiences such as campus and community workshops, after-school programs for area school children, and work with local non-profits.

    Industry and Community Involvement:

    All departments are highly involved with their industry counterparts and seek opportunities to work with community partners. In addition, each department has an advisory board of industry professionals that assist in program development, internships, job placement and fundraising.

    International Education:

    The College of Fine and Applied Arts wants all students to have the opportunity for international learning experiences and has offered programs in:

    • Austria
    • China
    • Costa Rica
    • Cuba
    • Dominican Republic
    • England
    • France
    • Germany
    • Italy
    • Mexico
    • New Zealand
    • Nicaragua
    • Panama
    • Poland
    • Rwanda
    • South Africa
    • Taiwan

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