Industrial Design, BFA

for the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts in Industrial Design


A portfolio review is required for admission to the School of Art and Design. The Industrial design program focuses on a human centered approach to identify opportunities to design new products and services. The studio courses emphasize learning through problem-solving, understanding user experience, market demand, materials, and production processes. Students can develop their interest, and engage in creating intuitive, innovative products and services, that are in visual harmony with their environment. Designs that satisfy the consumer desire while being responsive to changes in technology and culture benefit society.

The curriculum in Industrial Design requires 122 credit hours.

Students in the School of Art and Design must complete the Campus General Education requirements. Some Art and Design courses will also apply toward the General Education requirements.

Students majoring in this degree program must complete the First Year Curriculum requirements before beginning other major requirements.

for the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts in Industrial Design


Graduation Requirements

Minimum hours required for graduation: 122 hours.

University Requirements

Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree.  Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.

The University and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements

Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in Art and Design.

Composition I4-6
Advanced Composition3
Humanities & the Arts (6 hours)6
fulfilled by ARTH 110 and any other Humanities & the Arts course
Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours)6
Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)6
Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) 3
fulfilled by ARTH 110
Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I)6-10
Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required)0-15

First Year Curriculum

FAA 101Arts at Illinois1
ARTF 101Contemporary Issues in Art2
ARTE 101Art, Design, and Society2
ARTH 110Introduction to the History of Art and Visual Culture3
ARTF 103Design I3
ARTF 105Design II3
Select one Drawing course:3
Observational Drawing
Expressive Drawing
Visualization Drawing
Total Hours17

Art History Requirements

ARTH 211Design History Survey3
Additional art history (200-level or above) 6
Total Hours9

Industrial Design Requirements

ARTD 101Introduction to Industrial Design3
ARTD 201
ARTD 202
Industrial Design I
and Industrial Design II
8
ARTD 301
ARTD 302
Industrial Design III
and Industrial Design IV
8
ARTD 401
ARTD 402
Industrial Design V
and Industrial Design VI
8
ARTD 225Design Drawing3
ARTD 228Computer Applications3
ARTD 326Sustainability & Manufacturing3
ARTD 328Human-Centered Product Design3
ARTD 426Product Innovation3
ARTD 448Professional Design Practice3
Total Hours45

Art & Design Electives

Art & Design Electives (ARTS, ARTD, ARTE, ARTH, or ARTJ courses not otherwise required in major)12

Summary of Credits for Bachelor of Fine Arts in Industrial Design

General Education
First-Year Curriculum17
Art History9
Major45
Art & Design Electives12
Free electives to bring the total hours earned to 122, including a minimum of 40 credits at the 300- or 400-level.
Total Hours122

for the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Industrial Design


Sample Sequence

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. For more information, see the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.

First Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
FAA 1011ARTE 1012
ARTF 1012ARTF 1053
ARTH 1103ARTD 1013
ARTF ### (Drawing Category)3Composition I or Language Other than English (3rd Level)4
ARTF 1033General Education course3
Composition I or Language Other than English (3rd Level)4 
 16 15
Total Hours 31
Second Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
ARTD 2014ARTD 2024
ARTD 2253ARTD 2283
General Education course3ARTH 2113
General Education course3General Education course3
Art & Design Elective (ARTS, ARTD, ARTE, ARTH, or ARTJ courses not otherwise required in major)3General Education course3
 16 16
Total Hours 32
Third Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
ARTD 3014ARTD 3024
ARTD 3283ARTD 3263
ARTH 200-level or above (Additional Art History)3Art & Design Elective (ARTS, ARTD, ARTE, ARTH, or ARTJ courses not otherwise required in major)3
General Education course3General Education course3
General Education course3General Education course3
 16 16
Total Hours 32
Fourth Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
ARTD 4014ARTD 4024
ARTD 4263ARTD 4483
Art & Design Elective (ARTS, ARTD, ARTE, ARTH, or ARTJ courses not otherwise required in major)3Art & Design Elective (ARTS, ARTD, ARTE, ARTH, or ARTJ courses not otherwise required in major)3
ARTH 200-level or above (Additional Art History)3General Education course3
Free Elective course1 
 14 13
Total Hours 27

Total Hours: 122

for the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts in Industrial Design


  1. Inquiry and insight: the ability to select and use appropriate research and experimental methods, to access existing data or to generate new data, to analyze and draw insights, with a particular emphasis on user needs
  2. Ideation: the ability to produce creative proposals to identify design opportunities, using design thinking, modeling, and prototyping strategies, with appropriate integration of functional, technical, ergonomic, and visual factors
  3. Implementation: the ability to select and use appropriate making and manufacturing processes with an understanding of the potential of new technologies, and the demands of sustainability
  4. Informing: the ability to use visual and verbal communication, to explain and persuade, as appropriate for different audiences
  5. Self-development: the ability to carry out independent learning and reflexive evaluation of your work, as well as to plan and implement action, individually or in teams, effectively managing self and others
  6. Contextualization: the ability to locate your own activity within the multiple contexts of design practice, including the theoretical, professional, cultural, environmental, and technological contexts

for the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts in Industrial Design


School of Art & Design

School of Art & Design
Art & Design Faculty
Coordinator of Undergraduate Academic Affairs: Michael Foellmer (foellme1@illinois.edu)
143 Art and Design Building, Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 244-8462

College of Fine & Applied Arts

Fine & Applied Arts

Admissions

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Undergrad Admissions
FAA Undergraduate Advising
admissions@illinois.edu