Industrial Design

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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

88% employed or continuing education

77% employed after graduation

11% attending graduate school

$82,063 average starting annual income

Sample employer destinations: Insufficient survey data is available for sample employer destinations.

Sample grad school destinations: Insufficient survey data is available for sample grad school destinations.

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 Guide

Graduation & Retention²

4.4 years to degree

95% first-year retention rate

63% four-year graduation rate

77% six-year graduation rate

Annual Program Costs³

Illinois Resident

Tuition: $14,340
Fees: $4,928
Expenses: $18,222
Total: $37,490

Non-Resident

Tuition: $33,460
Fees: $4,928
Expenses:$18,562
Total: $56,950

International

Tuition: $34,408
Fees: $4,928
Expenses: $18,562
Total: $57,898

Related Majors

Graphic Design - FAA

Industrial Engineering - ENG

Mechanical Engineering - ENG

¹ Post-graduation data comes from the college that houses this particular major. 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.