Industrial Design
The Industrial Design Program prepares students to be creative, practical, user-centered, aesthetics-focused, problem-solving, and opportunity-exploring designers, design strategists, or design leaders.
The NC State University Industrial Design Program is one of the top professional programs in this discipline in the country. The program offers Bachelor of Industrial Design (BID) and Master of Industrial Design (MID) degrees, both accredited by The National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
Students learn and practice design in a studio environment very similar to that of professional design offices. Students methodically study human physical and cognitive interaction with artifacts and services in order to discover user experience insights and then create innovative solutions to design problems. The dynamic and sophisticated balance of form, function, innovation, and practicality are constantly debated and articulated throughout the journey to better design.
Finally, a Home
The Industrial Design faculty have joined NC State University from prestigious institutions around the world, each bringing years of experience in design, research, innovation, and education. The graduates from the program are enhancing the quality of life experiences with the creative design of products, services, branding, and communication systems for companies such as IDEO, Nike, Volvo, IBM, Toshiba, Dell, Pentagram, PepsiCo, RKS Design, Microsoft, The Smithsonian, Adidas, Hasbro, Target, and Bosch.
What is Industrial Design?
Industrial design is the professional service of creating and developing concepts and specifications that optimize the function, value, and appearance of products and systems for the mutual benefit of both user and manufacturer. Industrial designers develop these concepts and specifications for the user and manufacturer through the collection, analysis, and synthesis of data, often within the context of cooperative working relationships with other members of a development group such as management, marketing, engineering, and manufacturing specialists. They then communicate their clear and concise recommendations through drawings, models, and verbal descriptions that embody all relevant design criteria determined by the group.
The industrial designerβs unique contribution emphasizes those aspects of the product or system that relate most directly to human characteristics, needs, experiences, and interests. This contribution requires specialized understanding of visual, spatial, and tactile senses as well as product safety and convenience criteria. Industrial designers are experts in anticipating psychological, physiological and sociological factors and perceptions that influence users of products and services. Industrial designers also maintain a practical concern for the technical processes and requirements for manufacturing; marketing opportunities and economic constraints; and regulatory requirements relevant to good design.
In addition to supplying concepts for products and systems, industrial designers are often retained for consultation on a variety of problems that have to do with product and organization identity systems, development of communication systems, interior and exhibit design, advertising devices and packaging, and other related services. Their expertise is often sought in a wide variety of administrative arenas to assist in developing industry standards, regulatory guidelines, and quality control procedures to improve manufacturing operations and products. Industrial designers are guided by a professional obligation to protect the public safety and well-being, to respect the environment, and to observe contractual and ethical business practices.
See Student Work
See more examples of student work here: Department of Industrial Design Student Work
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Weβre mourning the loss of Professor Vince Foote β a legendary designer, mentor, and educator whose 40-year teaching career at NC State shaped generations of design thinkers.
Vince wasnβt just an outstanding teacher (though he had the awards to prove it). He was a force β hilarious, unshakable, and deeply invested in the success of his students.
As Professor Audrey Barnes put it: βHe empowered generations of NC State design students to believe that not only we could be, but that we should be the leaders of the future. That our ideas mattered regardless of who we were or where we came from.β
To Vince, students werenβt just learners β they were his legacy. As he liked to say, βYou are my portfolio.β
And his portfolio? Itβs full of bold thinkers, mavericks, educators, leaders and friends who carry his lessons with them every day.
We invite our community to read more about Vinceβs life and lasting impact at the News link in our bio. And if you`re ever near Playerβs Retreat, raise a glass for him.
This year, Art2Wear reimagined what a fashion show could be β trading the traditional runway for something far more intimate, experimental and alive.
In its 24th year, Art2Wear: Revive transformed @ncstategreggmuseum into a living, breathing showcase of wearable art. Designers imagined their models and looks as stationary exhibits, inviting the audience to slow down, look closer and truly engage with the stories embedded in every stitch, seam and silhouette.
Each room was a portal into the minds of NC State student designers β a series of distinct visions tied together by a shared spirit of innovation and craft. From intricate handwork and sustainable practices to cutting-edge materials and boundary-pushing silhouettes, every piece reflected what it means to revive: to question, reimagine, and give new life to ideas through design.
Art2Wear is more than a show β it`s a platform for future thinkers to challenge convention and connect with the community. Thank you to everyone who made this yearβs event unforgettable.
Hi CoD! Check out the Instagram story on this account all day today for behind-the-scenes updates and content! Check out the @ncsuart2wear bio or at linker.ee/art2wear2025 for tickets, we still have tickets for the 9:00 pm show! Join us for a night of performance art, music, and mocktails! #art2wear
LDOC at the COD perfectly encapsulates the journey from chaos to clarity. Thank you for a great semester, designers. π«ΆπΊ
What if you could walk through a house that never existed? π‘
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NC State Master of Architecture candidate Harshavardhan Raju brings the visionary, but never built, Slow House by Diller + Scofidio to life through a stunning digital rendering and narration.β
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Take the journey from door to window. From concept to experience.β
The spring semester is coming to a close, and we`re celebrating by sharing recollections from the designers of #NCState25. ππ
Today, we`re highlighting Erin Secosky, who will soon be crossing the stage to receive her Bachelor of Graphic and Experience Design.
π©βππ£οΈ "In my life, one of the things I am most grateful for is the College of Design and the experiences, friendships, and opportunities it has given me.
In 2021, I was nervous about my decision to go to design school and devastated over the financially mediated reality that I would be staying in Raleigh for another four years.
But the College of Design proved all of my fears wrong.
I have so many shoutouts and memories, but I want to extend a special thank you to Tania Allen, for sharing my love for cartography, for supporting me through a hard time, and for providing me the opportunity to experiment with my personal style on The Student Publication. Thank you, Tania. You are truly a light and such a positive influence on all of your students.
As part of an independent study with Kermit Bailey, I`ve been working on a personal project called "La Fleur Qu`on Appelle Souci" (or more colloquially known as advicefordesignstudents.com).
This project is a deep dive into my relationship with mental health and design, as well as my thoughts on the industry and insights found in coffee chats I`ve had with professional designers. Meant to be an advice guide for underclassmen/incoming COD students, I hope that advicefordesignstudents.com can act as a reference book for the next generation of COD students."
π© Are you a graduating designer of #NCState25? Share your recollection, along with any photos you`d like us to showcase! Just send us a DM to get started.
Designers got pied. Totes got printed. Therapy dogs got so many pets.
Thanks to everyone who showed up and showed out for the Art of Giving β a student-led fundraiser supporting College of Design clubs, groups and activities. Your support = more creativity, more community and maybe fewer pies to the face (no promises). π¨πΆπ₯§
"To me, design is all about relationships. You cannot do it by yourself." ππ€
Kelly Umstead, associate professor of industrial design, has been named a 2024β25 University Faculty Scholar β and for good reason. She`s known across campus as an educator who prioritizes love, attention and empathy in design.
Learn more about Kelly and her trailblazing work at the College of Design at the "News" link in our bio.
Don`t mind us; we`re just admiring the drama. β€οΈπΈ
This isnβt your typical runway show.
On April 24, @ncstategreggmuseum transforms into a living gallery where fashion meets fine art. Models become exhibits. The audience becomes part of the experience. And the theme Revive breathes new life into tradition, form and imagination.
Every piece is student-designed. Every detail tells a story. Come walk the line between innovation and expression β up close and in motion.
Get your Art2Wear tickets now at the π in our bio.
π°π₯ From the Archives: The Landing of the Egg
NC State librarians have recently released this photo from their extra-special collections. New evidence suggests the Egg was not installed. It landed.
Who built it? Why is it here? More importantly, when will it wake up and tell us the secrets to otherworldly design?
πΈ $193,688 raised for our students
π 283 gifts given to programs and scholarships
π«Ά One community brought together
To everyone who showed up for #GivingPack - thank you. Your generosity and care keep our passion strong and great design education fueled. π