Industrial Design
Industrial Design is a human-centered discipline that shapes the products, systems, and experiences that define everyday life. Today’s industrial designers translate insights into impact, working across technology, culture, healthcare, sustainability, and business disciplines.
The Master of Industrial Design (MID) prepares designers to think beyond form-making and engage in strategic, research-driven practice. Students strengthen their skills in visualization, prototyping, and storytelling while learning to navigate complexity and ambiguity. Studio courses, sponsored projects, and interdisciplinary collaboration connect students to real-world challenges and industry partners.
Our program treats design as both craft and inquiry. Students learn to frame complex problems, conduct empathetic research, and translate insight into thoughtful outcomes. They grow as confident communicators and collaborators who understand both creative processes and strategic impact.
As part of a leading R1 research university, students benefit from engaged faculty, advanced technical resources, and a strong interdisciplinary community. The program culminates in a self-directed final project that often becomes a catalyst for career advancement.
Our graduates pursue careers in corporate design teams, consulting, research and strategy roles, user experience, entrepreneurship, and higher education. Our MID program prepares designers to be leaders who make a difference in a rapidly evolving world.
Master's Requirements
The Master of Industrial Design degree requires a minimum of
- 48 credit hours for applications with a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design (Track II), or
- 78 credit hours for applications with Bachelor's degrees in an area other than Industrial Design (Track III).
The program generally does not accept transfer credits in lieu of required coursework at NC State. Studio credits presented for elective transfer must be accompanied by a portfolio of work from the courses under consideration.
Student Financial Support
The Department has limited provisions for tuition remission and assistantships. Assistantships are awarded on the basis of student and departmental needs. Assistantship requests should be made to the Department of Graphic Design and Industrial Design and should be submitted with the application for admission (for incoming students) or by advertised deadline (for continuing students).
More Information
Admissions Requirements
Students must make application to the Department of Graphic Design and Industrial Design by January 15. In addition to Graduate School requirements, the Department requires department personal data forms, a digital portfolio of design work, resume, and a statement of intent.
Applicant Information
- Delivery Method: On-Campus
- Entrance Exam: The GRE is NOT required for students whose first degree is not in Industrial Design.
- Interview Required: None
Application Deadlines
- Fall: January 15; Late applications will be considered on a space-available basis.
Faculty
Full Professors
- Audrey Barnes
- Carolina Gill
- Sharon Melissa Bennett Joines
Associate Professors
- Timothy W. Buie
- Bong II Jin
- Kelly Umstead
Assistant Professors
- Connor Irwin
- Byungsoo Kim
- Yuanqing Tian
Emeritus Faculty
- Russell Flinchum
- Vincent Foote
- Percy Hooper
- Haig Khachatoorian
- Bryan Laffitte
Courses
Advanced studies in industrial design. Special emphasis given to problem identification, program formulation and application of advanced design methods. All problems of an individual nature leading to a synthesis of previous design experience.
Prerequisite: Portfolio review
Typically offered in Fall and Spring
Analysis of paper, wood, metal and manufacturing processes utilized in production of mass-produced products. Advanced studies in mass production processes and their influence on design and development of products. Emphasis on material search and process selection in relation to product safety, cost, function, human factors, form, finishes and joining methods.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing
Typically offered in Spring only
Analysis of plastics and rubber and related manufacturing processes utilized in production of mass-produced products. Advanced studies in mass production processes and their influence on design and development of products. Emphasis on material search and process selection in relation to cost, product safety, function, human factors, form, finishes and joining methods.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing
Typically offered in Fall only
Track III MID introduction to the theories, methods, and language of industrial design; elementary problems in form and function; and transitional implications of hand-crafted and mass-produced objects, in various materials and media. This course is open to Track III MID graduate students. This course is a prerequisite for ID 522 Graduate Studio II.
Typically offered in Fall only
Track III MID continued introduction to the fundamentals of product development and design with emphasis on analytical and intuitive approaches to problem solving, technical skills, manufacturing, and structural considerations in design of simple products/systems. This course is open to Track III Master of Industrial Design graduate students.
Typically offered in Spring only
Track III MID introduction to the ideation process of conceiving, developing and recording ideas two-dimensionally. This course is open to Track III Master of Industrial Design graduate students. This course is a prerequisite for ID532 Product Visualization II.
Typically offered in Fall only
This is an advanced course which expands the ideation process of conceiving, developing and recording ideas two-dimensionally, placing greater emphasis on the creative development and recording of the design process. This course is open to Track III Master of Industrial Design graduate students. Successful completion of ID 531 Product Visualization I is a prerequisite for this course.
P: ID 531
Typically offered in Spring only
Track III MID introduction to the computer as a design tool for generating and manipulation of two-dimensional raster and vector imagery; techniques in two-dimensional concept rendering; 2D applications for design and production of presentation documentation; and an introduction to basic 3D digital techniques. This course is open to Track III Master of Industrial Design graduate students and is a prerequisite for ID 542 Product Digital Techniques II.
Typically offered in Fall only
Methods and techniques for developing 3D digital models and presentations that are compelling, unique, and relevant in the creative process of Industrial Design. Students begin to strategically integrate 3D digital technology as part of the larger curriculum relative to studios and support classes and are encouraged to look beyond current conventions to find new means of creating digital artifacts. This course is open to Track III Master of Industrial Design graduate students.
P: ID 541
Typically offered in Spring only
ID 551 equips students with the knowledge, skill development and experience necessary to turn a two-dimensional drawing into a three-dimensional prototype through hands-on techniques. Students will develop fluency in fabricating physical form models and functional prototypes at a range of speeds and with degrees of realism that complement the process of product development.
R: Track III Master of Industrial Design graduate students
Typically offered in Fall only
This course is an introduction to the spectrum of human physical and cognitive capabilities as they relate to user interaction with designed products and environments. Emphasis is placed on designers making conscious design decisions regarding useful, usable, and desirable product, systems, and service attributes.
P: Graduate Standing
Typically offered in Spring only
This course examines research methods used in industrial design for the development of products, services, systems, and experiences. The course addresses research in multiple phases of the design process including problem definition, generative, and evaluative phases. Emphasis is placed on matching the attributes of methods with the research needs of designers to ultimately define and validate design requirements.
R: Graduate standing; Non-majors by permission only.
Typically offered in Fall only
A seminar course designed to assist students in preparing groundwork for the final project to be conducted in design studio.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing
Typically offered in Fall only
F,S. Topics of current interest to program/option offered by faculty in the School. Subjects offered under this number normally used to test and develop new courses.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing
Typically offered in Fall and Spring
Final project for graduate students supervised by members of their graduate advisory committees.
Prerequisite: ID 581
Typically offered in Spring only
Special problems in various aspects of industrial design developed under the direction of faculty member on a tutorial basis. Students should complete Graduate Independent Study Proposal form prior to registration.
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing or Permission of the Instructor
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
Seminars on subjects of current interest in industrial design which are presented by persons not part of regular faculty.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing
Typically offered in Fall and Spring
Teaching experience under the mentorship of faculty who assist the student in planning for the teaching assignment, observe and provide feedback to the student during the teaching assignment, and evaluate the student upon completion of the assignment.
Prerequisite: Master's student
Typically offered in Fall and Spring
For students in non-thesis master's programs who have completed all credit hour requirements for their degree but need to maintain half-time continuous registration to complete incomplete grades, projects, final master's exam, etc.
Prerequisite: Master's student
Typically offered in Fall and Spring
For students in non-thesis master's programs who have completed all credit hour requirements for their degree but need to maintain full-time continuous registration to complete incomplete grades, projects, final master's exam, etc. Students may register for this course a maximum of one semester.
Prerequisite: Master's student
Typically offered in Spring only
For students in non thesis master's programs who have completed all other requirements of the degree except preparing for and taking the final master's exam.
Prerequisite: Master's student
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer