Industrial Design (Product Design)
Design physical objects that are functional, ergonomic, and beautiful
What You'll Study
Industrial Design (ID) creates the products we use every day—from toothbrushes and chairs to cars and electronics. It sits between Engineering (function) and Art (form). ID makes technology human-friendly.
- Product Sketching
- 3D CAD Modeling (SolidWorks/Rhino)
- Materials & Manufacturing
- Ergonomics / Human Factors
- Prototyping / Model Making
- Design History
- User Research
- Sustainability
Example Classes
How to Know If You'll Like It
You'll probably enjoy this if...
- ✓You constantly think "this product could be better"
- ✓You like drawing AND building things
- ✓You are curious about how things are made
- ✓You empathize with user frustration
- ✓You want a mix of creative studio and workshop
- ✓You like tangible results
You might not enjoy this if...
- ✕You are "all art, no function" (try Sculpture)
- ✕You are "all function, no form" (try Mech Eng)
- ✕You dislike 3D modeling software
- ✕You don't like physical crafting
Self-Check Quiz
Answer these questions honestly to see if this major might be a good fit for you.
Do you admire the design of a Dyson vacuum or iPhone?
Career Outcomes
Featured In-Demand Careers
UX/UI Designer
Design intuitive and beautiful digital experiences that solve user problems and delight customers.
Mechanical Engineer
Design, analyze, and manufacture mechanical systems from consumer products to industrial machinery.
Product Manager
Lead product development from conception to launch, bridging business strategy with user needs and technical capabilities.
Other Common Career Paths
- •Industrial Designer
- •Toy Designer
- •Furniture Designer
- •Automotive Designer
- •User Experience Designer
Try It First
Test if you like this field before committing to a major:
Redesign a salt shaker. Sketch 20 different concepts quickly.
Build a cardboard prototype of a new chair design at 1:5 scale.
Design a reusable water bottle, model it in 3D (Blender/Fusion360), and render it.
Related Majors
Mechanical Engineering
Design anything with moving parts, from engines to robots
Architecture
Design functionality, safety, and beauty for buildings and spaces
UI/UX Design
Design digital experiences that are intuitive, beautiful, and functional
Fashion Design
Create clothing and accessories from concept to runway
Frequently Asked Questions
ID = Human Interface/Aesthetics. ME = Internal Mechanics. They work together.
Yes, sketching is thinking. But you don't need to be Michelangelo.
Required. It must show your PROCESS (sketches -> model -> final), not just the final result.
Yes, ID is the primary user of 3D printing for prototyping.
Yes, many IDs switch to digital UX because the design process is identical.
Ready to Explore This Major?
Get personalized guidance on whether Industrial Design (Product Design) is right for you and how to build a competitive profile.