Industrial Design, BFA
for the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts in Industrial Design
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Industrial Design (ID) provides a compelling framework centered on a human-centered approach, empowering students to explore exciting opportunities for creating innovative products and services. Our studio courses prioritize experiential learning, immersing students in hands-on problem-solving while deepening their understanding of user experience, market trends, materials, and production processes. Companion courses within the BFA in ID curriculum are designed to expand students' skill sets, encouraging them to explore diverse interests that complement their design studio explorations. A required portfolio review during the second year of the BFA in ID enables faculty to provide students with valuable guidance, ensuring their success in the final two years of the BFA in ID. This holistic approach inspires students to cultivate their passions and create intuitive, cutting-edge designs that seamlessly integrate with their context, providing superior user experiences.
Our program's connections to other units at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, as well as to industry and community partners, not only equip aspiring designers with the tools to fulfill consumer desires but also ensure they remain attuned to the ever-evolving landscape of technology and culture, thereby driving positive societal impact.
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.
To embark on this transformative journey at the School of Art and Design, prospective students must complete a portfolio review that showcases their creative vision and potential as design innovators. Join us to shape the future of design!
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.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Composition I | 4-6 | |
| Advanced Composition | 3 | |
| 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
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| FAA 101 | Arts at Illinois | 1 |
| ARTF 101 | Contemporary Issues in Art | 2 |
| ARTE 101 | Art, Design, and Society | 2 |
| ARTH 110 | Introduction to the History of Art and Visual Culture | 3 |
| ARTF 103 | Design I | 3 |
| ARTF 105 | Design II | 3 |
| Select one Drawing course: | 3 | |
| Observational Drawing | ||
| Expressive Drawing | ||
| Visualization Drawing | ||
| Total Hours | 17 | |
Art History Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ARTH 211 | Design History Survey | 3 |
| Additional art history (200-level or above) | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Industrial Design Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ARTD 101 | Introduction to Industrial Design | 3 |
| 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 225 | Design Drawing | 3 |
| ARTD 228 | Computer Applications | 3 |
| ARTD 326 | Sustainability & Manufacturing | 3 |
| ARTD 328 | Human-Centered Product Design | 3 |
| ARTD 426 | Product Innovation | 3 |
| ARTD 448 | Professional Design Practice | 3 |
| Total Hours | 45 | |
Art & Design Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | ||
| First-Year Curriculum | 17 | |
| Art History | 9 | |
| Major | 45 | |
| Art & Design Electives | 12 | |
| Free electives to bring the total hours earned to 122, including a minimum of 40 credits at the 300- or 400-level. | ||
| Total Hours | 122 | |
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
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| FAA 101 - Arts at Illinois | 1 |
| ARTF 101 - Contemporary Issues in Art | 2 |
| ARTH 110 - Introduction to the History of Art and Visual Culture | 3 |
| ARTF ### (Drawing Category--ARTF 106 strongly recommended) | 3 |
| ARTF 103 - Design I | 3 |
| Composition I or Language Other Than English (3rd Level) | 4 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| ARTE 101 - Art, Design, and Society | 2 |
| ARTF 105 - Design II | 3 |
| ARTD 101 - Introduction to Industrial Design | 3 |
| Composition I or Language Other Than English (3rd Level) | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
Second Year
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| ARTD 201 - Industrial Design I | 3 |
| ARTD 225 - Design Drawing | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Art & Design Elective course (ARTS, ARTD, ARTE, ARTH, or ARTJ courses not otherwise required in major) | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| ARTD 202 - Industrial Design II | 3 |
| ARTD 228 - Computer Applications | 3 |
| ARTH 211 - Design History Survey | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
Third Year
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| ARTD 301 - Industrial Design III | 4 |
| ARTD 328 - Human-Centered Product Design | 3 |
| 200 level or above ARTH (Additional Art History) course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| ARTD 302 - Industrial Design IV | 4 |
| ARTD 326 - Sustainability & Manufacturing | 3 |
| Art & Design Elective course (ARTS, ARTD, ARTE, ARTH, or ARTJ courses not otherwise required in major) | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
Fourth Year
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| ARTD 401 - Industrial Design V | 4 |
| ARTD 448 - Professional Design Practice | 3 |
| Art & Design Elective course (ARTS, ARTD, ARTE, ARTH, or ARTJ courses not otherwise required in major) | 3 |
| 200 level or above ARTH course (Additional Art History) | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| ARTD 402 - Industrial Design VI | 4 |
| ARTD 426 - Product Innovation | 3 |
| Art & Design Elective course (ARTS, ARTD, ARTE, ARTH, or ARTJ courses not otherwise required in major) | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 13 |
Total Hours
Total hours for all requirements: 122
for the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts in Industrial Design
1. Research...the ability to select and use appropriate research and experimental methods, to access existing data sources or to generate new data, to analyze and draw insights for future work, with particular emphasis on identifying human needs
2. Creative synthesis...the ability to produce creative proposals from investigation, or in response to identified opportunities or requirements, using appropriate thinking, modeling and making strategies, taking account of users, audience, market needs, makers, producers or exhibitors as appropriate
3. Production...the ability to select and use appropriate making and manufacturing processes in your own work, with an understanding of the potential of new technologies
4. Organization....the ability to plan and implement action, identifying targets and organizing resources, effectively managing self and collaborations with others
5. Communication...the ability to use various forms of communication as appropriate to elicit information, to explain, to debate and persuade, adapting to audience and situations
6. Conceptualization...the ability to realize an idea through an iterative creative making process of refinement
7. Understanding impacts...of the diverse professional, social, and ethical effects of the industrial design discipline
8. Contextualization...the ability to understand the multiple contexts of design practice, including the historical, theoretical, critical, professional, cultural, environmental and technological
9. Learning...the ability to carry out independent learning as a basis for academic study, lifelong learning and for personal professional development including the ability to independently evaluate your own work with the aim of improving and developing your own practice
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
Admissions
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Undergrad Admissions
FAA Undergraduate Advising
admissions@illinois.edu