Program Overview

Department of Design

The Department of Design at San José State University is part of the College of Humanities and the Arts. The department offers various undergraduate and graduate programs in design.

Undergraduate Programs

• Design Studies
• Animation & Illustration
  • Degrees
  • Faculty
    • David Chai
    • John Clapp
    • Raquel Coelho
    • Kevin Mannens
    • Angela Wu
  • Student Work
  • Community Engagement
  • FAQs
  • Alumni
  • Clubs
• Graphic Design
  • Degrees
  • Faculty
    • Yoon Chung Han
    • Connie Hwang
    • Marjan Khatibi
    • Chang Sik Kim
    • Dana Ragouzeos
  • Student Work
  • Community Engagement
  • FAQs
  • Alumni
  • Clubs
• Industrial Design
  • Degrees
  • Faculty
    • John McClusky
    • Josh Nelson
    • Dana Ragouzeos
    • Kohar Scott
  • Student Work
  • Community Engagement
  • FAQs
  • Alumni
    • Robert Brunner
    • Becky Field
    • Gerard Furbershaw
    • Kara Harrington
    • Gita Jacobson
    • Angie Kim
    • Mike Lowe
    • François Nguyen
    • Scott Summit
    • Kyle Swen
    • Cassie Tweed
    • Valerie Weilert
  • Clubs
• Interior Design
  • Degrees
  • Faculty
    • Eleanor Pries
    • Virginia San Fratello
  • Student Work
  • Community Engagement
  • FAQs
  • Alumni
  • Clubs

Undergraduate Minors

• Minor, Graphic Design
• Minor, Interaction Design
  • Student Work
  • FAQs
  • Clubs
• Minor, Interior Design

Graduate Programs

• Master of Design (MDes)
• Experience Design Specialization
  • How To Apply
  • Faculty
  • Alumni
  • FAQ
  • MDes XD | Thesis Projects
    • InstaCare | 2025
    • Shift Deck | 2025
    • In the Wild | 2025
    • SpeakEasy | 2025
    • We-A-Go | 2025
• Animation Specialization
  • Faculty
  • Curriculum
  • Guest Presentations
  • Students
  • Outcomes
  • Admissions
  • Tuition
  • FAQ

BS Industrial Design (Professional Degree)

About SJSU Industrial Design

Established over fifty years ago, the Industrial Design Program at SJSU is an undergraduate bachelor of science (BS) degree offered within the Department of Design. Entrance to the BS Industrial Design program is by BA Design Studies pathway only.

The program is focused on human-centered innovation, technology application, and creative problem solving. Students begin with a foundation in visualization, form giving, creative thinking, manufacturing processes, material innovation, and aesthetics. From there, students progress to more advanced work focused on creative collaboration, solving problems in human-centered ways, exploring solutions to pressing global issues, and specializing or diversifying in areas of design that support each student's professional aspirations. Students are given the opportunity to design within a variety of contexts, including physical products, digital products, softgoods (cut and sew), medical devices, sustainability, and more.

The distinguished faculty recognizes that, to become impactful industrial designers, students must have a firm comprehension of all things related to the human experience. As such, the program takes full advantage of the university setting by collaborating with SJSU's Anthropology, Business, and Engineering programs. Additionally, because of the ideal location at the center of Silicon Valley, guest speakers from local tech companies and design studios are often invited to give talks, as well as critique student work.

Industrial design deals with the design of the objects, experiences, and services that are a part of everyday living for humans, businesses, and organizations. With the world in constant flux, the program aspires to equip future industrial designers with the tools they need to become global citizens and effect change throughout the world.