Industrial Design, BSD

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Industrial designers are responsible for the design of product and service systems that people use in their everyday lives. The BSD in industrial design at ASU focuses on a new model of transdisciplinary product development called integrated innovation. Using this model of innovation, students systematically work through a matrix of four questions:

  1. What is valuable to users?
  2. What is possible through engineering?
  3. What is desirable to business?
  4. What is good for society and the environment?

The goal of the program is to help students learn how to create product and service systems that: benefit society while minimizing impacts on the environment, can be realized through appropriate technology and engineering, create measurable value for business, and satisfy people's needs.

All students who are admitted to the major must pass a degree milestone to continue in the major at the end of the first year. For more information on the milestone process, students should visit https://design.asu.edu/resources/students/milestones.

This is an eight-semester program requiring sequential completion of studio coursework or approved equivalent at any point of entry.

At A Glance

Industrial Design, BSD

Required Courses

A major map outlines a major's critical requirements, courses, and optimal course sequence and aids students in remaining on track to graduation.

While circumstances vary between students and their paths towards graduation (utilizing placement testing to fulfill required math or foreign language courses, fulfilling multiple General Studies requirements with one course, etc.), completing the courses listed in a major map fulfills all of the requirements for graduation.

Application requirements

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements:

Affording college

Scholarships
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Financial Aid
ASU has many financial aid options. Almost everyone, regardless of income, can qualify for some form of financial aid. In fact, more than 70 percent of all ASU students receive some form of financial assistance every year.

Career outlook

After completing the program successfully, graduates have the option of working as designers in several capacities:

They may obtain employment as members of in-house design teams at corporations in a variety of industries including, but not limited to:

  • consumer goods
  • furniture
  • health care and medical products
  • packaging design
  • sports and outdoor goods
  • toys
  • trade show and exhibit design
  • transportation and mobility device design
  • user interface design

Graduates may obtain employment with consulting firms that design products and services for a variety of clients. They may obtain employment with nonprofit institutions or nongovernmental organizations addressing specific social or environmental problems. They may pursue entrepreneurship opportunities; some graduates have established their own design and manufacturing ventures. Or, graduates may pursue teaching a variety of courses in art and design schools, colleges or universities, part time or full time.

Example careers

Students who complete this degree program may be prepared for the following careers. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions. Career examples include but are not limited to:


Career*growth*median salary
Architectural Drafters 8.1%$52,870
Electrical Drafters6.8%$59,690
Civil Drafters8.1%$52,870
Designers, All Other5.8%$55,930
Drafters, All Other8%$50,290
Graphic Designers4.2%$48,700
Commercial and Industrial Designers 4.4%$65,970
Mechanical Drafters5.2%$55,130
Set and Exhibit Designers 10.3%$53,090
Electronic Drafters6.8%$59,690

* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).

  • Bright Outlook
  • Green Occupation