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Industrial Design

College of Fine & Applied Arts

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What is Industrial Design?

This major centers on answering the question, “Why do products look the way they do?” As an Industrial Design student, you’ll create products, interfaces, and experiences that meet people’s needs. You'll have the opportunity to design a range of items, from toys, sports, and houseware to medical or pet products. Through your coursework, you’ll get involved with debates, theories, and histories of industrial design. You'll also experience the importance of personal discovery and problem-solving through experiential assignments. You must submit a portfolio before being accepted into this program.

Career Options

  • Digital design
  • Environmental design
  • Furniture design
  • Lighting design
  • Multimedia design
  • Product design
  • Toy design

Post-Graduation Success1

87% employed or continuing education

56% employed after graduation

31% attending graduate school

$66,154 average starting annual income

Sample employer destinations: Accenture (1), Ameren (1), Brook Park Holdings (1) View All

Sample grad school destinations: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Carnegie Mellon University, ArtCenter College of Design View All

Program Resources

College of Fine & Applied Arts Program Webpage Degree Requirements

Review Criteria

First-Year Major-Specific Criteria

Strong talent review (audition or portfolio)

View All Review Criteria

Transfer Criteria

Transfer Handbook

Graduation & Retention2

4.3 years to degree

96% first-year retention rate

70% four-year graduation rate

85% six-year graduation rate

Annual Program Costs3

Illinois Resident

  • Tuition: $14,620
  • Fees: $5,054
  • Expenses: $18,884
  • Total: $38,558

Non-Resident

  • Tuition: $34,972
  • Fees: $5,054
  • Expenses:$19,224
  • Total: $59,250

International

  • Tuition: $35,966
  • Fees: $5,054
  • Expenses: $19,224
  • Total: $60,244

Related Majors

1 Post-graduate data was collected through the Illini Success initiative, which primarily relies on self-reported survey data sources. Statistics are aggregated from the past three years. Please note that total compensation may be greater than annual salary as other forms of compensation (e.g., signing bonus, commission, benefits) are not included. For more information on Illini Success data and methods, please visit the Illini Success website. For average wage or salary information five years after entry into an occupation, visit the Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes Explorer.

2 Graduation and retention data comes from several majors within a similar interest area. Data may not yet be available for newly created programs. Years-to-degree data is only available for programs from which you can earn a degree. Retention and graduation rates are only available for programs that you can apply directly into. Retention rates reflect retention to the university, not necessarily retention within the major.

3 "Expenses" are estimated and include books, supplies, housing, and other living expenses. The exact amount you’ll pay depends on where you decide to live, the meal plan you choose, and your overall lifestyle. To learn more about costs, please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid website. To learn the average monthly student loan payment over a period of 20 years based on estimated cost, visit the Illinois College2Career website.

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