Industrial and Interaction Design, B.I.D.

Contact

Don Carr, Program Coordinator

116 Smith Hall, 315-443-0355, dwcarr@syr.edu

Faculty

Donald Carr, James Fathers, Meyer Giordano, Denise Heckman, Michael Kowalski, Carmel Nicoletti, Ralf Schneider, Yves Michel

Description

Industrial designers develop a wide spectrum of design solutions that meet current demands and anticipate the future needs of society. Their designs must incorporate the effective use of materials and technology, allow for manufacturing constraints, and provide a clear advantage to existing solutions.

Our program is noted for combining theory and practice, taking a process-oriented approach, and focusing on social and environmental responsibility. It is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design and exceeds the educational minimums recommended by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA). The program consists of courses in design theory and practice, as well as support courses in the humanities, the physical and natural sciences, and the behavioral and social sciences. The responsive curriculum maintains a balance between technical, aesthetic, and humanistic aspects and keeps pace with the leading edge of design technology by anticipating developments in the field.

Students in the program participate in collaborative projects with business, industry, and government agencies, challenging students with real-life design problems. Industrial and interaction design students have an active chapter of the IDSA, which plans lecture programs, organizes field trips to consultant and corporate design offices, and participates in regional and national meetings of the society.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate effective research skills and techniques to support and guide their design work

2. Articulate the theoretical context and historical influences for their work as designers

3. Demonstrate in their design work knowledge of a range of appropriate materials and manufacturing processes used in batch and mass manufacturing

4. Articulate the philosophical and ethical implications of design activity on society, culture, the environment, and professional practice

5. Apply a broad and deep knowledge of human factors in their design solutions specifically an understanding of semiotics, ergonomics, and the design of interfaces, systems and services

6. Communicate their design intent in a professional manner across a broad range of analogue and digital media as well as in verbal and written forms

Major Requirements: 75 credits

First Year Requirements: 2 credits

FYS 101 - First Year Seminar
DES 100 Freshman Forum (1 credit)

Art History Requirements: 12 credits*

DES 113 - History of Modern Design: 1850-Present
DES 114 - Design, Cultural Traditions and the Environment
Art/Design History Elective (3 credits)
Art/Design History Elective (3 credits)

Academic Requirements: 6 credits*

Liberal Arts Electives: 12 credits*

Academic electives are most courses offered outside of art, design, or transmedia (for example, courses offered in CRS, Arts and Sciences, Whitman, and other colleges outside of VPA). These academic courses usually have non-art-related content, such as math, natural sciences, astronomy, global history, political science, psychology, and entrepreneurship, and languages at the 100-level, among others. You can find a comprehensive list of approved academic electives here.

Studio Electives: 12 credits

Free Electives: 3 credits

Study Abroad

Pending a successful application and meeting program requirements, students may be eligible to spend a semester of their third year abroad at the SU Center in London, UK, or in Florence, Italy. Please refer to the SUAbroad website for eligibility and application criteria.

Course Catalog