The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Product Design program is one of the most innovative and contemporary programs in the country. Our program focuses on preparing students for creative problem solving for the consumer culture of the future. User-research techniques, sustainable design principles and methodologies, sketching, presentation skills, and advanced computer modeling and fabrication are taught through both traditional and state-of-the-art technology. Students build on a design theory foundation utilizing the techniques necessary to develop, visualize, and communicate their ideas. Our philosophy emphasizes the importance of design, beyond form study, as a tool for social, cultural, economic and environmental change. Through rigorous practice of these skills, our students gain the ability to pursue innovative and elegant solutions that elevate the user experience. Students have the opportunity to expand their career options to professions such as toy design, furniture design, packaging design, and exhibition design. The Interactive Portfolio Development course, as well as engagement with outside, professional organizations, prepares our students for the transition from student to professional practitioner.

Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:

• describe, analyze, and interpret products within the social, historical and theoretical contexts;
• apply the appropriate knowledge, skills, materials and technical processes, research methodologies and critical thinking to visual problem solving, three-dimensional form giving, market and user studies, and life cycle analysis in mass production;
• demonstrate manual skills of quick ideation sketching and model making, drawing, and digital skills of working with 2, 3, and 4D digital tools and other digital software relevant to product design;
• generate independent ideas and solutions through innovative use of materials and technology, greater efficiency, dematerialization and better adaptation to the natural environment; and
• present a succinct, cohesive, critically edited and interpreted body of work.

A grade of “C” or better is required in all major coursework, and a CGPA of 3.0 or higher is required in the major for BFA candidates.

For students who have already earned a Bachelors degree in another field, the Second Bachelor of Arts in Product Design is available.

Program Requirements  

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