Industrial Design (INDU)

As modern challenges grow more complex and ambiguous, design thinking has emerged as a powerful method for addressing them across business, social and cultural contexts. While traditionally linked to visual elements - like products, fashion and interiors - design now includes the creation of services, systems and strategies. More than a static concept, it is an active process focused on developing meaningful solutions. Through this course, students will learn the fundamentals of the design thinking methodology by applying creative problem-solving techniques such as research, ideation and prototyping.

This course takes the fundamentals of INDU 200, INDU 210 and INDU 220 and combines them into industrial design students' first individual holistic design endeavor. Projects will build on the basic skills of design thinking, visual communication and digital tools with deep investigations into concept development, research methods and aesthetics. This course will train students to use and build technical skill sets (sketching, prototyping, presentation) while developing creative skill sets for design process, research and concept development. The expectation is that students will establish a design process (built on learned techniques) that works for them and can be applied over and over. This course will challenge students to make design decisions at every level, in the interest of successful design.

Portfolio review required to enroll in industrial design courses at upper division standing. May be repeated once for pass/fail standing.

This studio course will introduce students to historic, contemporary and emerging materials through making. This course introduces students to wood shop equipment, machine shop equipment, soft goods lab equipment, thermoforming and the laser cutter. Quality, craftsmanship and shop safety are emphasized. The skills developed will provide students with the opportunity to create professional phototypes and visual tools to aid in their presentation/design development. Materials covered include: wood, metal, plastics, polymers, textiles and ceramics. Through a historic survey of product design, manufacturing will be introduced but is not the main focus of this course. Students will engage in a variety of written assignments and hands-on making projects. Student success in this course requires combination learning consisting of visual, aural, read/write and kinesthetic (VARK) learning in an observational setting.

This lecture course will build on history, contemporary and emerging materials through the manufacturing processes of both small scale and industrial scale products. Materials covered include: wood, metal, plastics, polymers, textiles and ceramics. Manufacturing processes covered will be expanded from historic to future technologies used in a variety of product design development. Students will engage in a variety of written assignments and field trips to local manufacturing facilities. Student success in this course requires combination learning consisting of visual, aural, read/write and kinesthetic (VARK) learning in an observational setting.

This course introduces core design visualization techniques that enable students to express design thinking and generate more creative concepts through sketching. By translating a variety of ideas into visual form, students enhance communication within the design process. Because products ultimately exist in three dimensions, students also learn technical drafting to represent their envisioned manufacturing methods and facilitate prototyping. This course cultivates the ability to conceptualize and depict three-dimensional products in 2D, reinforcing foundational skills essential for industrial design practice.

This course expands on the foundational skills acquired in INDU 220, focusing on advanced CAD modeling, photorealistic rendering, visual storytelling and digital fabrication. Students refine or revisit prior projects to develop complex geometries and realistic lighting and materials using advanced rendering tools such as KeyShot. The course also explores AI-powered concept generation to broaden creative ideation. Additionally, students will be introduced to digital fabrication techniques, including 3D printing and VR/AR modeling, to extend their ability to prototype and visualize designs in immersive environments. By the end, students will have produced professionally polished visuals and narrative-driven presentations that showcase strong design communication skills.

Study of selected topics in industrial design at the introductory level. May be repeated when course content changes. See MyMadison for current topics.

This course expands on foundations learned in INDU 200 and INDU 202 and emphasizes a research-driven design process as it applies to the design of objects, including commercial products, packaging design, furniture and more. Students will use quantitative and qualitative research methods and analyze market segments and/or users.

A study of transportation system design utilizing a multi-disciplinary effort. Students will engage with civil engineers, city planners, urban designers, community members and various stakeholders to understand transportation needs and develop creative solutions.

This course prepares students for entry into the professional field of industrial design by focusing on the development of a comprehensive design portfolio and essential career-readiness skills. Students will learn to curate, present and communicate their work effectively, while also gaining insight into professional expectations, ethics, job search strategies and the business of design. Emphasis will be placed on critique, refinement and preparation for employment, freelance or graduate study. Course topics may include the development of professional contacts, interviewing skills, portfolio development and the preparation of résumés, press releases and design contracts. Students develop a comprehensive package to prepare for employment based on improved skill sets and capabilities. In-class learning is augmented by site visits to manufacturing facilities, design offices in the area and remotely via Zoom.

Independent activity at the intermediate level, such as research or studio practice, under faculty supervision. Projected studies in any area of the school's offering must be arranged with the instructors who will direct them. Offered only with the consent of the instructor.

Study of selected topics in art, art history, graphic design, interior design, or industrial design at the intermediate level. May be repeated when course content changes. See MyMadison for current topics.

This studio course aims to engage students in a systems based approach to problem solving. Students will design and test concepts and solutions that focus on interaction and experience. The course emphasizes problem framing, system and service prototyping, graphic design and illustration, user interaction/user experience, and end-user engagement.

This advanced studio explores design problems and solutions ranging from sanitation and poverty to environmental degradation and access to basic human services. Students will work individually and on teams to target specific areas of need and develop proposals to create products, systems and services to address those needs while generating revenue.

Study of selected topics in industrial design at the advanced level. May be repeated when course content changes.

Industrial design students with senior standing submit a proposal focused on developing a semester long studio project.

Students may take a six credit hour studio in ARCD or the equivalent in any one other SADAH studio disciplines (i.e., ART 240 and ART 340). The ID program coordinator must approve proposals for swing studio options in advance. Art and design elective courses taken for the ID advanced studio requirement may not be double-counted as swing studios.

Independent activity, such as research or studio practice, under faculty supervision. Projected studies in any area of the school's offering must be arranged with the instructors who will direct them. Offered only with the consent of the director.

An on-campus program monitored on an individual basis designed to provide practical studio experience in the visual arts. Students will learn safe studio practices and management skills, including material use, inventory control and the proper operation of equipment found within various individual classroom studios.

Study of selected topics in art, art history, graphic design, interior design, or industrial design at the advanced level. May be repeated when course content changes. See MyMadison for current topics.

An off-campus program prepared and monitored on an individual basis. Internships are designed to provide practical experience in the arts.