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

86% employed or continuing education

59% employed after graduation

27% attending graduate school

$60,214 average starting annual income

Sample employer destinations: Litania Sports Group, Moss, AutoNavi, Temu, TEAMS Design, The Walt Disney Company, AbbVie, JB Training Company, McMaster-Carr, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign View All

Sample grad school destinations: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Johns Hopkins University, Columbia University, Loyola University Chicago 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

4.7 years to degree

96% returned for second year

68% graduated within 4 years

85% graduated within 6 years

Annual Program Costs³

Illinois Resident

Tuition: $14,912
Fees: $5,182
Expenses: $19,558
Total: $39,652

Non-Resident

Tuition: $37,588
Fees: $5,182
Expenses:$19,898
Total: $62,668

International

Tuition: $38,630
Fees: $5,182
Expenses: $19,898
Total: $63,710

Related Majors

Graphic Design - FAA

Industrial Engineering - ENG

Mechanical Engineering - ENG

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.