Course Descriptions

Industrial Design is all about the process involved in taking a product that we may use in everyday life from concept to design to the market place. Our undergraduate courses engage our students with the most current ideas and methods in their field, and encourage every student to develop their own identity and interests. Keeping very close connections to the Midwest industry, our approach is always forward-looking and ambitious. The primary courses are taught by professors and design practitioners who are experts in the industrial design field. Furthermore, we offer two graduate programs, Industrial Design and Interaction Design. Below is the list of all the courses.

Industrial Design Undergraduate Courses

AD 14600 - Design Drawing I

Problems in the skills and methods of professional design drawing. Emphasis on development of drawing as a conceptual tool and as part of the design process. Concentration on the media and techniques used in contemporary design drawing. Typically offered Spring. Credit Hours: 3.00.

AD 21500 - Materials and Processes

An introductory course in the selection of materials and processes as relevant to design, with laboratory experiences in the safe and proper use of tools and equipment. Required of students wishing extensive access to A&D tools and equipment. Typically offered Spring and Fall. Credit Hours: 3.00.

AD 23500 - Materials and Processes II

Problems in three-dimensional design, incorporating materials, production processes, and applications of current technology, emphasizing aspects of society and technology. An introduction to complete industrial design problems, including problem definition, concepts, resource information, design development, final proposals, and presentation techniques. Typically offered Spring. Credit Hours: 3.00.

AD 24600 - Design Drawing II

Continuation of the work done in A&D 245. Emphasis on development of skills and presentation quality design drawing. Typically offered Fall. Credit Hours: 3.00.

AD 25600 - Presentation Techniques

Studio preparing students for project presentations. Classes will cover graphic techniques, including page layout, typography, portfolio formats, perspective drawings, photography, and verbal communication. Typically offered Spring. Credit Hours: 3.00.

AD 30500 - Industrial Design I

Introduction to design principles in processes employing basic problem-solving techniques. Emphasis will be placed on man's interaction with form, thought processes, procedures, craftsmanship, and use of materials. Acceptance into professional industrial design concentration by successful performance in the mandatory portfolio review. Typically offered Fall. Credit Hours: 3.00.

AD 31500 - Design Methodology

This course will cover the fundamental concepts of design methodology. Studies in various problem-solving and research methods as they apply to the designer and society. Typically offered Fall. Credit Hours: 3.00.

AD 30600 - Industrial Design II

An analysis of design through organic and aesthetic principles, natural solutions, and man-made systems. Skills and techniques for communication of creative design solutions. Rapid visualization, rendering, model making, and working models will be stressed. Typically offered Spring. Credit Hours: 3.00.

AD 31600 - Seminar on Ideas in Industrial Design I: Design and Society

A study of design, the designer, and the factors in society that affect his or her work. Typically offered Spring. Credit Hours: 3.00.

AD 34000 - Furniture Development

This course is an introduction to furniture design. The focus of this course is information relevant to furniture design including: basic ergonomics, structural techniques, materials, and processes. Additional pertinent information regarding new and ongoing design trends will be explored. A mid semester field trip to a major furniture manufacturer and/ or design studio is offered. Students will design and build two of the following objects: a small freestanding shelving unit, small table, bench, table top object or stool.  Typically offered Spring. Credit Hours: 3.00.

AD 40500 - Industrial Design III

Design projects emphasizing sophisticated problem-solving methods. Design projects will stress diversity of industrial design and will trace the development of products from initial concept, research, and development through production. Typically offered Fall. Credit Hours: 3.00.

AD 41500 - Professional Techniques

Research development for product design, with emphasis on socioeconomic concerns and documentation techniques. Portfolio refinement, including verbal, written, and other visual documentation and presentation skills in various media, such as drawing. Photography and computer-generated graphics will be stressed. Typically offered Fall. Credit Hours: 3.00.

AD 40600 - Industrial Design IV

Design of products in their relation to economic, physiological, psychological, and behavioral patterns of the consumer. Emphasis upon total thought processes to allow environmental considerations as well as technological realities. Typically offered Spring. Credit Hours: 3.00.

AD 41600 - Seminar on Ideas in Industrial Design II: Design and Creative Problem Solving Methods

A study of creative problem solving methods as used by the designer in his or her work. Typically offered Spring. Credit Hours: 3.00.

Industrial Design Graduate Courses

AD 53500 - Furniture Design

Examination of furniture design trends and designers. Explore materials and manufacturing processes. Design and build a full-size seating unit. Shop skills required. Permission of instructor required. Typically offered Fall, Spring. Credit Hours 3.00.   

AD 56800 - Directed Project Research in Design

Initial M.F.A. project research and production in design. Permission of instructor required.  Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer. Credit Hours 1.00 to 3.00.   

AD 60500 - Problems in Industrial Design

Problems in product innovation, product design, product development, and environmental design. Emphasis is placed on the development of working prototypes. Permission of instructor required.  Typically offered Fall, Spring. Credit Hours 3.00.   

AD 61500 - Social Issues in Industrial Design

A study of mass-production materials and processes used by designers. Students will focus on the limitations and benefits of various manufacturing methods. Special attention will be given to injection molding, casting, and stamping. Prerequisite: Admission to the M.F.A. program in Art and Design. Typically offered Fall, Spring. Credit Hours 3.00.   

AD 62500 - Applied Ornamental Design

Examination of past and present ornamental design applications and of the cultures that created them. Students will generate their own individual visual iconography to be transformed into designs for consumer products, architectural elements, or furniture. Prerequisite: Admission to the M.F.A. program in Art and Design. Typically offered Fall, Spring. Credit Hours 3.00.   

AD 63500 - Advanced Materials and Processes

A study of mass-production materials and processes used by designers. Students will focus on the limitations and benefits of various manufacturing methods. Special attention will be given to injection molding, casting, and stamping. Prerequisite: Admission to the M.F.A. program in Art and Design. Typically offered Fall, Spring. Credit Hours 3.00.   

Interaction Design Graduate Courses

AD 51200 - Interaction Design Studies

Examination of concepts and methods for interaction design (IXD). It emphasizes a human-centered perspective and explores fundamental components involved in IXD research. Students will explore a wide range of literature and implement IXD theories in multi-disciplinary collaborative projects. Typically offered Fall, Spring. Credit Hours 3.00.   

AD 52200 - Interaction Design Evaluation

A foundation for interaction designers to conduct evaluation research. Students start from analyzing evaluation cases on interactive designs and systems to employing evaluation in design projects using quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods of inquiry.  Permission of instructor required. Typically offered Fall, Spring. Credit Hours 3.00.   

AD 53200 - Cognition in Design

Focus on understanding cognitive issues and theories in design. Students are exposed to different cognitive models and phases while they are designing interactive systems. They will develop the cognitive perspective, analyze user experience, and develop an interaction design.  Permission of instructor required. Typically offered Fall, Spring. Credit Hours 3.00.   

AD 54200 - Information Visualization Design

This course starts from exploring visual perception and attention theories, studying modern visualization technologies and toolkits, and reviewing evolving visualization research. Students work on small exercises, and then accomplish complicated virtual and physical visualization projects for information representation and communication. Permission of instructor required.  Typically offered Fall, Spring. Credit Hours 3.00.   

Internship Classes

AD 23400 – Art and Design Internship Preparation

Introduction and preparation for Art & Design Internship experience. Students will develop a resume, cover letter, and other resources in their search for a suitable internship placement. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer. Credit Hour: 1.00.   

AD 67800 - Graduate Internship

Intensive exposure to professional experience through supervised internship in art or design firms, departments, or studios. The internship will consist of work to enhance the development of future professionals. The internship experience will help students integrate theory and practice and confirm career choices. Prerequisite: Admission to the M.F.A. program in Art and Design. Permission of instructor required. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.Credit Hour: 1.00 to 6.00.

Cross-Disciplinary Learning

All Visual and Performing Arts students are encouraged to take advantage of courses outside of their specific major, to enrich their creative experiences at Purdue. For a comprehensive courses list in Art and Design click here. Also, visit the Theatre Department, Dance and Music Divisions for their course offerings.