Introduction | Pre-Industrial Design | Industrial Design | Curriculum | Pre-Industrial Design Academic Standards | Industrial Design Summer Studio | Acceptance and Progression in the Professional Program | Professional Fees | Special Programs | Program Faculty | Advisory Council | Organizations | Admissions FAQ | Accreditation

Industrial design (ID) is the professional service of creating and developing concepts and specifications that optimize the function, value and appearance of products and systems for the mutual benefit of both user and manufacturer. As a distinct discipline that works in collaboration with both marketing and engineering, industrial design focuses efforts on developing how products, environments, and interfaces look, feel, and function from a user perspective. Examples of industrial design projects can include areas of transportation, furniture, consumer products, exhibits, and user interface.

The Industrial Design Department at Auburn University prepares students by offering a wide range of training and instruction in user research, design methodology, concept development, prototyping, and computer simulation/modeling. Students also gain unique insights into the design profession through annual international studio programs in both Ireland and Taiwan .

Collaborative projects with industry also offer students an invaluable opportunity to work with clients while generating fresh design solutions for companies. Industry collaborations include projects with 3M, IBM, Frigidaire, NASA, Brother International, Broan-Nutone, and Emerson Tool Company.

Students begin the Industrial Design curriculum as Pre-Industrial Design students. Success in the Summer Design program is required in order to proceed into the professional Industrial Design curriculum.

AU/INDD offers the only baccalaureate and masters level industrial design degrees in Alabama. The undergraduate and masters programs were the first NASAD accredited industrial design curricula in the southern U.S. Students are awarded a Bachelor of Industrial Design after a 9 semester curriculum. (BID)

Curriculum models for the Industrial Design program.

INDD First Year Studio summer sequence is offered to Auburn University students in good standing who meet the following criteria: completion of a minimum of 24 credit hours of university work or with approval of the Department Head. Students are not required to have completed the INDD freshman model curriculum before enrolling in the summer semester INDD First Year Studio.

Once students successfully complete the fall and spring semesters of their freshman year or have accumulated 24 credit hours of university core classes at Auburn or elsewhere, they may be admitted to the 10 week long, Industrial Design Summer Studio. Exceptions to this policy may be granted by the department head. Completion of this studio sequence is required for admission to the industrial design professional program. While there are no design based admission requirements for enrollment to this sequence, only the top forty-five students, based on grade point averages accumulated in during the summer semester, are allowed to proceed into the fall semester industrial design professional program. There is no prerequisite experience in drawing, design or model fabrication to qualify for this experience. Students are not asked to accomplish any project during the summer studio sequence they have not been trained to address.

The department maintains the right to select the most highly qualified students for admission to and for continuation in the INDD professional program. Typically, forty-five students are selected from the INDD Summer Design program. Enrollment is restricted in upper level professional INDD studios (2nd, 3rd and 4th year) and based on INDD GPA. Students not admitted into an upper level professional INDD studio may reapply in subsequent years and are re-ranked against the new applicants and available resources in that year level. The department reserves the right to retain original work accomplished as part of course instruction.

After a student is accepted into the summer semester First Year Studio, they must earn at least a grade of C or higher in studio courses in order to be considered for progression in the program. Grades below C in studio courses 1310 through 4210 must be repeated. Design courses must be taken in sequence unless otherwise approved by the Department Head. A portfolio and presentation are required for graduation.

As a student in the College of Architecture, Design and Construction (CADC), you will be required to pay a professional fee in addition to your normal tuition. This fee is used to support our professional programs in regard to the provision of information technology infrastructure and the general needs of professional instruction.

Taiwan Study Abroad | Ireland Study Abroad | Spring Designing Green Competition | Summer Design Workhop for High School Students | Fall Design Interaction Symposium | Industry Collaboration Opportunities

Listing of current Advisory Council members.

A listing of all CADC, Industrial Design and Graphic Desgin Student Chapter Organizations.

The curriculum has been designed to meet accreditation standards set by SACS and NASAD (National Association of Schools of Art and Design) and is structured to provide students with a course of study that ensures growth and development over time.