Best Drafting Degrees 2022

Overview

Times Higher Education frequently ranks the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign among the top 50 universities in the world. U of I offers more than 150 fields of study to its 32,000 undergraduate students. Alumni of the university’s Industrial Design program have gone on to successful careers in toy design, interface and experience design, marketing, design management, and many other fields.

Program Features

The program at U of I culminates in a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Industrial Design. Offered through the esteemed School of Art and Design, this degree requires 122 credit-hours. Students will gain an understanding of the market demand for design, changes in technology and cultural patterns, and methods and materials of production. Required coursework includes the following:

• Introduction to the History of Art and Visual Culture
• Sustainability and Manufacturing
• Human-Centered Product Design
• Art, Design, and Society

Notables

U of I offers professional-grade tools and facilities for undergraduate students. More than 70 top-of-the-line computers feature advanced software packages for 2D design, 3D design, computer modeling, rapid prototyping, and animation. Students also have access to a modern engineering and wood shop facility, collaborative studio spaces, and the Krannert Art Museum archives (which include over 8,000 pieces).

Overview

Founded as a land-grant university in 1887, North Carolina State University is now a preeminent research institution and a national leader in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The university’s main campus is located in Raleigh, a city that was ranked by Forbes as the third best city in the nation for young professionals. NC State offers a cutting-edge program that leads to a Bachelor of Industrial Design.

Program Features

In the first semester of the BID program, students will learn the foundations of design processes and design vocabulary. The coursework for this first semester is shared among all majors in the College of Design. After this semester, the curriculum features a blend of studio and lecture courses specific to the Industrial Design major. Students pursuing this degree will take courses such as:

• Digital Product Modeling
• Contemporary Manufacturing Processes
• Advanced Digital Design Process
• Human-Centered Design

Notables

Starting in their sophomore year, students will have the opportunity to work with industry partners to conduct user-based research and to engage in design and development at the professional level. To complement their six-credit-hour studio classes, students will take supporting courses that cover ideation and design sketching, materials and processes of manufacturing, digital visual communication, and other critical skills.

Overview

For three consecutive years, Arizona State University has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as number one among the Most Innovative Schools (Stanford and MIT took the second and third slots). With six total campuses, ASU has an enrollment of over 98,000. The Design School, within the nationally ranked Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, offers world-class programs in Architecture, Urban Design, Environmental Design, Industrial Design, and more.

Program Features

ASU offers a program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Design for Industrial Design. The program is available through the main ASU campus in Tempe. An internship experience is required for this degree. Industrial Design students may take classes such as:

• Design for Ecology and Social Equity
• Essentials of Advertising and Marketing Communication
• 20th-Century Design
• Visual Methods for Problem Solving

Notables

After earning their bachelor’s degree, students can go on to ASU’s Master of Science in Design for Industrial Design. Both the undergraduate and graduate programs in Industrial Design hold full accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. With more than 5,000 students and almost 400 faculty members, ASU’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts is the largest comprehensive design and arts school in the nation.

Overview

A public, land-grant university, Iowa State University is located about 30 minutes north of Des Moines in Ames. The university has a global reputation for excellence in science and technology. It’s also home to one of the nation’s largest campus public art programs. Iowa State has a total student body of over 36,000. By contrast, the College of Design at Iowa State is a tight-knit community of roughly 1,850 undergraduate and 100 graduate students.

Program Features

The Bachelor of Industrial Design at Iowa State emphasizes a strong foundation in product design, with complementary coursework in business and engineering. This degree requires a minimum of 132.5 credit-hours, which will include 24 credit-hours in major-specific coursework. Required classes for all Industrial Design majors include:

• Creative Thinking for Industrial Design
• Industrial Design Research Methods
• Computer Aided Industrial Design
• Portfolio and Professional Practice

Notables

High school students who plan to apply for this program are encouraged to take classes in art, photography, journalism, computer science, and physics. In order to graduate with this degree, students will need to complete two out of three available capstone experiences. Options include an international study program, a multidisciplinary sponsored project, and a professional internship. The College of Design’s dedicated internship coordinators can assist students with the internship application process.

Overview

Cedarville University is a private Christian institution enrolling almost 4,000 undergraduate, graduate, and online students. The university offers more than 130 programs of study, all of which are presented through a distinctly biblical worldview. Design students can take advantage of Cedarville’s innovative collaboration with the International Center for Creativity (ICC), located in northwest Columbus, OH.

Program Features

Students at Cedarville can earn a Bachelor of Arts in Industrial and Innovative Design. Through this unique program, students will spend their freshman and sophomore years on the Cedarville campus and their junior and senior years in the professional design studios of the ICC. Coursework for this degree may include:

• Digital Imaging: Adobe Photoshop
• History and Influences of Design
• Fundamentals of Surface Development
• Architectural/Exterior Space Design

Notables

While on the Cedarville campus, students will complete general education classes and coursework for the required Bible minor. During their last two years in the program, students will interact with active professionals at the ICC. These professionals may attend students’ presentations, jury student work, conduct content-specific workshops, and supervise class projects. Among the 2016 graduating class of Cedarville’s Department of Art, Design, and Theatre, 98 percent were employed or pursuing further study within six months of graduation.

Overview

Established in 1932 with the help of Henry and Edsel Ford, Lawrence Technological University is a private university in Southfield, MI. Lawrence Tech is featured in the Princeton Review’s 2018 ranking of the Best Colleges in the Midwest. The undergraduate program in Industrial Design at Lawrence Tech focuses on the integration of creative art, engineering, leadership, entrepreneurship, and sustainability.

Program Features

A total of 128 credit-hours are required for the Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design from LTU. This program promotes extensive opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration within the Colleges of Architecture and Design, Engineering, and Management. Students will also have the chance to collaborate with industry professionals in all four years of their program. The following coursework is required:

• Art and Design Awareness
• Technical and Professional Communication
• Manufacturing Process
• Design Leadership

Notables

This program requires applicants to submit a design portfolio as part of the admissions process. Portfolios must include between 10 and 25 pieces, and should highlight the student’s drawing and conceptual skills. Industrial Design majors will have access to dedicated studio space and digital, wood, and metal fabrication labs. The College of Architecture and Design at LTU, which presents the Industrial Design program, has a student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1.

Overview

According to the Brookings Institution, Wentworth Institute of Technology ranks in the top 2 percent of US schools for value-added earnings for graduates. Wentworth is part of the Colleges of the Fenway, a consortium of six institutions of higher learning. Students at any of the participating institutions can cross-register for courses at the other colleges. This collaborative environment, along with practical learning opportunities and access to leading-edge labs and studios, makes Wentworth a strong choice for Industrial Design students.

Program Features

Wentworth’s Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. Coursework for this degree will cover drawing, model making, manufacturing technologies, user research, and design history. Specific course titles may include:

• Color and Composition
• Plane and Solid Geometry
• CAD: Surface Modeling
• Human Factors in Design

Notables

There is no portfolio requirement for students who are applying to the program. However, accepted students will need to pass a portfolio and GPA review at the end of their freshman year before being allowed to continue as a sophomore. Starting in their junior year, students will complete two co-op work semesters that are designed to complement the studio curriculum.

Overview

The Ohio State University is a land-grant university with a main campus in Columbus and satellite campuses and research centers throughout the state. In the 2018 ranking of America’s Best Colleges from U.S. News & World Report, OSU came in #16 overall. Undergraduates in the Industrial Design program will gain the foundations to plan and develop consumer appliances, furniture, medical equipment, architectural products, transportation devices, and more.

Program Features

The program at OSU leads to a Bachelor of Science in Design for Industrial Design. Students will take each class for this degree in a designated sequence, as courses are only offered once per academic year. The curriculum features the following required courses:

• Visualization Strategies for Industrial Design
• Materials, Process, and Production for Industrial Design
• Design Media for Industrial Design
• Design Research for Industrial Design

Notables

In a recent graduating class of the Industrial Design program, 79 percent of students earned their degree within four years, and 100 percent of students who applied to graduate school were accepted. The OSU Department of Design also offers a minor in Design Thinking, a Bachelor of Science in Design for Interior Design, and a Bachelor of Science in Design for Visual Communication Design.

Overview

Located midway between San Francisco and the Monterey area, San Jose State University sits on 154 acres at the southern end of the San Francisco Bay. The university is a national leader in granting degrees to minority students, and it is the number one supplier of engineering, computer science, and business graduates to Silicon Valley. With a diverse student body and a prime location near one of the world’s leading technological hubs, SJSU offers an ideal environment for Industrial Design students.

Program Features

The College of Humanities and the Arts at SJSU offers a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design. Through this program, students will gain fundamental skills in visual communication, strategic thinking, design theory, user-centered design, sustainability, and more. Students will take courses such as:

• Advanced Digital Workshop
• Advanced Prototyping
• Advanced Materials and Processes
• Critical and Contextual Studies in Industrial Design

Notables

This program features regular portfolio reviews to help guide students through the phases of their academic career. Industrial Design students will have the opportunity to participate in SJSU’s strong international exchange program, which includes partner institutions in Europe and Central America. Graduates of this program have gone on to leadership positions at Apple, Nike, Gibson Guitar, Hewlett Packard, and more.

Overview

The University of Wisconsin-Stout was named by the UW Board of Regents as “Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University,” placing it among the ranks of other highly respected institutions such as Cal Poly and Michigan Tech. As a designated polytechnic university, UW-Stout offers a distinctive blend of career-focused education, applied learning, and industry collaboration. These factors make the undergraduate program at UW-Stout an ideal place to launch a career as a drafter.

Program Features

Students at UW-Stout can earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Industrial Design. This program is designed to promote exploration at the intersection of fine art, history, design, and sustainability. To earn the degree, students will complete 120 credit-hours, including 40 credit-hours of general education requirements and 80 credit-hours in major-specific courses. Coursework within the Industrial Design major includes:

• Design Drawing and Concept Visualization
• Two-Dimensional Design Foundations
• Industrial Design: Product Form and Visualization
• Advanced Design Drawing

Notables

Degree candidates will be required to complete a regional, national, or international co-op or internship as part of their program. Undergraduates will have exhibition opportunities through the School of Art and Design’s student gallery. Overall, 98.2 percent of UW-Stout graduates are either employed or pursuing further study within six months of graduation.

Overview

With 128 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in six specialized schools, the New Jersey Institute of Technology is a public research university enrolling about 11,400 students. Business Insider ranked NJIT first in the nation among America’s Most Underrated Colleges. The School of Art and Design at NJIT was established in 2008, and in the decade since its founding, it has grown to roughly 200 undergraduate students.

Program Features

The first Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design from NJIT was awarded in 2010. Starting in their freshman year, students in this program will have 24/7 access to studio space in the Foundation Year Labs. Additional facilities, such as the Physical Computing Lab and the Animation Lab, are available to students in relevant courses. Required coursework for all Industrial Design majors includes:

• Communication in Art and Design: Traditional
• Communication in Art and Design: Digital
• Past, Present, and Future of Design
• Sustainable Materials and Processes

Notables

Candidates for this degree will take six semesters of design studio. The program provides numerous opportunities for undergraduates to showcase their work, including a curated student exhibit that is displayed at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York. Students at NJIT are encouraged to participate in regional and national design competitions.

Overview

With a student body of more than 24,000, Drexel University is one of America’s 15 largest private institutions of higher learning. U.S. News & World Report has ranked Drexel among the Best National Universities for the past ten years. The university was founded in 1891 with one campus in Philadelphia. Today, it includes three Philadelphia campuses and numerous regional sites. Drexel’s Product Design program offers extensive opportunities for co-op experience, study abroad, and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Program Features

Presented by the Westphal College of Media Arts and Design, this unique program leads to a Bachelor of Science in Product Design. The degree requires 48 credit-hours in visual studies coursework, 72 credit-hours in product design coursework, and 27 credit-hours in electives. Required classes within the Product Design core include:

• Mechanical Behavior of Materials for Product Design
• History and Analysis of Product Design
• Computer Aided Imagining in Product Design
• Applied Human Centered Design

Notables

Graduates will be qualified to work in consumer electronics, housewares, furniture, fashion accessories, medical devices, toys, transportation, and other areas of product design. Many alumni of this program also launch successful start-ups. Westphal offers additional undergraduate programs in Game Design and Production, Animation and Visual Effects, Interactive Digital Media, and more.

Overview

Located 12 miles from New York City, Montclair State University is a comprehensive public university in Montclair, NJ. With an average class size of 23, students are assured plenty of support from the university’s acclaimed faculty. The Wall Street Journal ranks Montclair State among the top 100 public institutions nationwide, and Money Magazine ranks it at number 15 for “Colleges That Add the Most Value.” The university’s innovative design programs prepare graduates to improve the overall standard of living through their work.

Program Features

At Montclair State, students can earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Product Design. This program allows students to focus on the principles and applications of design starting from their freshman year. Requirements for the Product Design major include the following courses:

• Design Rendering: Concept Visualization
• Model Making and Prototyping
• Product Design Form Language
• Digital Rendering: Adobe CS

Notables

The required projects for this degree are based on real-world design scenarios and will offer students the chance to collaborate with major manufacturing firms. Montclair State has strong industry partnerships with Movado Group, Kaz Design, and Ingersoll Rand, providing students with opportunities to participate in sponsored corporate projects and present their work to senior designers, design directors, and other industry professionals.

Overview

Located in North Carolina’s beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian State University is one of 17 institutions within the University of North Carolina system. Appalachian State offers over 150 undergraduate and graduate programs and enrolls about 19,000 students. The small, closely knit Industrial Design program at Appalachian State includes 175 undergraduate students and seven full-time faculty members.

Program Features

The Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design allows students to choose a concentration in either Product Design or Furniture Design. Regardless of their chosen concentration, students will gain a strong foundation in design inquiry, creative problem-solving, user research, and social and environmental concerns. The degree requires a minimum of 125 credit-hours. Coursework in the Product Design concentration may include:

• Human Factors in Design
• History of Interiors
• Materials and Process
• Design for Manufacturing

Notables

This degree program is housed in a 12,000-square-foot facility within the Department of Applied Design. Undergraduates will have access to leading-edge facilities such as a woodworking lab, metal fabrication lab, plastic working area, ceramics lab, and more. Graduates of this program have gone on to work at an array of top-ranking, globally influential brands and companies, including GoPro, Nike, Westfield Outdoors, Skookum Digital Works, and many more.

Overview

The University of Illinois at Chicago is a public research university with an annual research expenditure of roughly $348 million. With more than 30,000 students, UIC is the largest university in the Chicago area. The university employs over 1,900 faculty members, 81 percent of whom hold a PhD or equivalent degree in their field. With the vibrant city of Chicago as their campus, UIC students will benefit from the world-class cultural institutions and thriving design community surrounding them.

Program Features

The UIC program leads to a Bachelor of Design in Industrial Design. The curriculum in the first year of this program is shared with students in the Graphic Design program. This first year features an intensive studio-based curriculum where students are rapidly immersed in the design process. More advanced coursework for the Industrial Design degree will include:

• Design Research Methods
• Human Experience in Design
• Visualization (Analog)
• Visualization (Digital)

Notables

During their senior year, students will complete a year-long Senior Design Colloquium and an Industrial Design Thesis. Fourth-year students will also complete a two-semester course sequence in Interdisciplinary Product Development. For students who plan to continue onto graduate study, UIC offers a Master of Design in Industrial Design and a Master of Design in Graphic Design.