College of Architecture & Urban StudiesSchool of Architecture + Design : Industrial Design
OverviewIndustrial Design is one of the oldest activities in the world and is becoming one of the most powerful professions in the digital age. There are few corporations that do not rely on expertise from industrial designers to help establish their identity, initiate a new strategy, develop a new product, or create an expanded market. Industrial design at Virginia Tech prepares the individual to enter this dynamic field. Experiences and abilities of each student are nurtured and developed by the curriculum to mesh with the world of product development as well as work that includes packaging, exhibit design, material research, flexible environments, corporate image and information technology. A rapidly expanding professional service, industrial design optimizes the technological, aesthetic, and ergonomic requirements of product design as an integral part of the physical, social and cultural environment. It is the role of the industrial designer, not only to respond to market trends, but to project new territories of opportunity to help provide means for a better and more meaningful life and providing the things and systems to go beyond styling and address substantive needs.> Students in the industrial design program begin their studies in the foundation design laboratory during the first two semesters with architecture, and interior design students. A strong emphasis on the workshop as in integral extension of the design studio forms the basis of and education experience shared by both industrial design and architecture. Issues of processes, materials and their relationship to industrial design concepts are explored as part of daily studio discussion. Design reviews, seminars, and topical lectures expose students to the broader array of contemporary design issues and historical precedents. At the conclusion of the four year program, each student is required to complete a terminal project. Working independently, they focus on a topic or area of their own choice and produce a fully developed body of work that demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of design, production, and communication. Program Requirements
Minor in Industrial DesignAn 18-hour minor in Industrial Design is now available to majors in the College of Architecture and Urban Studies and students from other colleges. The enrollment in this minor is restricted due to faculty and facility resource limitations. Interested students should contact the school directly for information about this minor. Required Courses:
All students must achieve a 2.0 academic average at the end of the semester in which the 50th semester hour has been attempted. Students must pass all required Industrial Design courses with a grade of C or higher. Any required Architecture of Industrial Design course in which students receive a grade less than C must be retaken. Students having less than a 2.5 cumulative academic average in required Foundation Program courses at the conclusion of the first 64 credit hours attempted, must have a progress review with a committee made up of departmental faculty from both Foundation and Industrial Design Programs prior to beginning study in the third year. Course Descriptions (IDS)2024: MATERIALS AND MEDIA LABThis laboratory is the first formal course in the industrial design program. It deals with fundamental issues in graphic media and electronic media as well as introducing the basic array of materials which are at the disposal of the industrial designer. The nature of the lab is based on intensive workshop experiences. The laboratory is supplemented by a lecture component. Pre: ARCH 2014. (2H,12L,6C) II. 2974: INDEPENDENT STUDY Variable credit course. 2984: SPECIAL STUDY Variable credit course. 3025-3026: INDUSTRIAL DESIGN LABORATORY I Design laboratory for industrial design. Introduction to systematic processes in design. Application of Human Factors and planning methods in the development of industrial products in the areas of work, education and health. Industrial design methods of experimental modeling and proto-type building. Pre: 2024, ARCH 2025, ARCH 2026. Co: 3125, 3126 for 3025. (4H,12L,7C) I,II. 3114: HISTORY AND THEORIES OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN Covers the history and theories of industrial design from the introduction of the various materials and processes by ancient cultures, through the industrial revolution, up to the present day. Special emphasis is placed on the relationship between a culture and the material products of that culture. (3H,3C) I. 3125-3126: INDUSTRIAL DESIGN TECHNOLOGY A survey of current materials, processes, techniques and equipment used in the manufacture of products. Pre: 2024. Co: 3025, 3026 for 3125. (3H,3C) I,II. 3514: DESIGN RESEARCH Procedures and methods in the collection, analysis and evaluation of existing data and information to inform the design process. Planning research program and strategies for investigating and analyzing problems in user/product systems. Pre: 3025, 3026. Co: 4415, 4416. (3H,3L,3C) I. 4304: TOPICS IN INDUSTRIAL DESIGN Topics related to specialized areas of Industrial Design including but not limited to the following: furniture design packaging design, graphic design, hardware design, automotive design and computer-aided procedures. Repeatable with a maximum of 6 credits. Pre: (ARCH 1015) or (ARCH 1016 or ARCH 2014), (ARCH 2024 or IDS 2024). (3H,3C) I,II. 4415-4416: INDUSTRIAL DESIGN LABORATORY II Introduction to group activities. The investigation of broader, comprehensive design problems. Detailed analysis, research and application of human factors to the design of equipment, work spaces, and environments. Design and construction of full-scale, interactive models and spaces. Emphasis on the needs, the production and marketing factors of special populations, such as the elderly and disabled. Comprehensive demonstration of student's four-year study, including thorough documentation, models, drawings and report as requirement for degree. Pre: 3025, 3026. Co: 3514 for 4415. (2H,12L,6C) I,II. 4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY Variable credit course. 4984: SPECIAL STUDY Variable credit course. College of Architecture and Urban Studies Programs of Study Art and Art History | Architecture | Building Construction | Industrial Design | Interior Design Landscape Architecture | School of Public and International Affairs |
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