Industrial Design, MDes

for the Master of Design in Industrial Design

Overview

The School of Art & Design and Industrial Design program are accepting applications for Fall 2026 admission to the MDes in Industrial Design.

The Industrial Design MDes program is a STEM-designated, professionally oriented graduate qualification that supports those intending to advance in the professional practice of Industrial Design. As a professionally focused graduate qualification, there are no funding opportunities available to students in this program.

Industrial Design is a human-centered design activity that determines the nature of products, services, and experiences produced by industry. This approach to design reconciles the needs of the user and the producer, combining desirability, viability, feasibility, and responsibility. Industrial Designers also champion the use of design thinking. This user-centered approach has broad application in many social and business contexts. Our definition of Industrial Design encompasses the design of products, interfaces, interactions, and user experiences.

The MDes program takes a broad view of professional design practice, embracing all aspects of human-centered design, including user interface and interaction design, with a primary focus on industrial and product design. The program involves a refined approach to design thinking and design practice, preparing graduates for work in varied sectors of activity. The program emphasizes project-based work, with an emphasis on hands-on creativity in both the physical and digital realms.

The MDes is suitable for students with undergraduate degrees in design. Mid-career designers, as well as those with degrees in Engineering or Business, will find that the degree and industry exposure the program offers will broaden their career options. Building on Illinois' long-standing MFA in Industrial Design, MDes students enroll in some of the same classes and studios as those in the MFA program. In contrast, other industry-focused studios are dedicated exclusively to MDes students. The program's location in the School of Art and Design facilitates connections with students and faculty from other programs within the School, as well as with colleagues and facilities across the university. These connections may include the Business, Medical, and Engineering Colleges, as well as the Siebel Center for Design.

Graduates of the program find employment in companies and consultancies, as well as in various roles that are now opening up for designers and design thinkers in business and community organizations. Design is now a global function in many organizations.

Individuals interested in pursuing a career in design who lack prior design education and/or relevant professional experience should consider the Graduate Certificate in Advanced Design Thinking. This certificate program provides an introduction to Design Thinking. It offers graduate credits that can be applied towards the MFA or MDES degree.

For additional details and requirements, refer to the department's graduate studies requirements and the Graduate College Handbook.

Admission

Applications are considered for Fall Semester admissions only. International applicants or applicants who are not native English speakers must meet the English Proficiency Requirements for Graduate Admission for admission to the MFA in ID degree program.

Graduate Teaching Experience

No graduate teaching experience is available to students enrolled in the MDes in Industrial Design degree program.

for the Master of Design in Industrial Design

For additional details and requirements refer to the department's graduate studies requirements and the Graduate College Handbook.

ARTD 501Industrial Design I: From Inquiry to Ideation6
ARTD 502Industrial Design II: From Ideation to Implementation6
ARTD 503Industrial Design III: Design Project Formulation6
ARTD 504Industrial Design IV: Thesis Research6
ARTD 505Industrial Design V: Thesis Ideation6
ARTD 506Industrial Design VI: Thesis Project Implementation6
ARTD 599Thesis (Document production)4
Design Studio Electives (from Art and Design, Architecture or Engineering, approved by Graduate Coordinator)8
Academic Elective (approved by Graduate Coordinator)4
Additional Electives, including Seminars (approved by Graduate Coordinator)12
Total Hours64
Other requirements may overlap
Seminar, enrollment varies by program 8 min
Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall 12
Minimum GPA 2.75

for the Master of Design in Industrial Design

At the end of the program, you should demonstrate the following:

  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 identified design opportunities, using design thinking, modelling, and prototyping strategies, with an 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. CONTEXTUALISATION: The ability to locate your own activity within the multiple contexts of design practice, including the theoretical, professional, cultural, environmental and technological contexts.
  6. SELF DEVELOPMENT: The ability to carry out independent learning and reflexive evaluation of your work, as well as to plan and implement action, effectively managing self and others.

for the Master of Design in Industrial Design 

School of Art & Design

School of Art & Design
Art & Design Faculty
School Director: Brooke White
Director of Graduate Studies: Terri Weissman
Associate Director of Design: Lynne Dearborn
138 Art and Design Building, 408 East Peabody Drive, Champaign, IL 61820
Graduate Office: (217) 333-0642

Graduate Studies Advisors:

MA; PhD in Art History: David O'Brien
MA; EdM; PhD in Art Education: Laura Hetrick
MFA in Studio: Emmy Lingscheit and Conrad Bakker
MFA and MDES in Industrial Design: Carlos Aguiar
MFA in Design for Responsible Innovation: Nekita Thomas

College of Fine & Applied Arts

College of Fine & Applied Arts

Admissions

Ellen de Waard: edewaard@illinois.edu
Graduate College Admissions Requirements