Program Overview

Industrial Design Program

The Industrial Design program at James Madison University equips students with the creative problem-solving skills necessary to become innovative design leaders. It empowers students to become positive social, environmental, and economic forces in their communities and within the design professions.

Program Description

The program emphasizes experimentation and investigation utilizing a rigorous human-centered, studio-based practice. The curriculum addresses the interaction between humans, objects, and their environment through an empathy-based "design thinking" approach to problem-solving. ID students study sculpture and form, drawing, making, material science, sociological and anthropological research methods, systems thinking, history, writing, and design theory. ID students also receive exposure to basic engineering, advanced manufacturing & fabrication processes, and common marketing, business, and entrepreneurship practices.

Interdisciplinary Nature

The intrinsic interdisciplinary nature of the field of Industrial Design requires students to develop both a depth of design-specific knowledge and technical skills as well as a breadth of knowledge in a variety of associated fields like business and engineering. The JMU ID program is designed to offer many opportunities for students to directly experience a collaborative, applied approach through connection with industry and community partners, internships, study abroad programs, and professional critique.

Potential Careers

• Product Design
  • Furniture Design
  • Packaging Design
  • Transportation Design
  • Lighting Design
• 3D Computer Aided Drawing
• Model Making
• Entrepreneurship
• Social Innovation
• and many more!

Industrial Design Society of America

The Industrial Design Society of America is a professional organization for industrial designers, and JMU has a very active student chapter. IDSA defines Industrial Design as "the professional service of creating products and systems that optimize function, value, and appearance for the mutual benefit of both user and manufacturer."

Hardware and Software Requirements

SADAH's programs require all students to have a laptop computer equipped with and capable of running any necessary software. SADAH considers a laptop an essential tool for total participation in classes and content.

Suggested Specifications

• Operating System (OS)
• Storage (GB)
• Screen Size (IN)
• Random Access Memory (RAM)
• Graphics Memory (VRAM)
• Processor (CPU)

Required Specifications

• Operating System (OS): MacOS or Windows 11
• Storage (GB)
• Screen Size (IN): 16"
• Random Access Memory (RAM)
• Graphics Memory (VRAM)
• Processor (CPU): M3 pro or Intel 13 Gen i5

Required Software

• Adobe Creative Cloud
• Keyshot
• Microsoft 365
• Rhino
• Zoom

Faculty

• Joon Park: Assistant Professor of Industrial Design
• Kevin Phaup: Industrial Design Program Coordinator, Associate Professor of Industrial Design
• Anna Marie Smith: Industrial Design Program Coordinator, Assistant Professor of Industrial Design
• William Tate: Professor of Architectural and Industrial Design