Students choose courses and studios focusing on product, furniture, transportation, exhibition, and tabletop design. The program culminates with a thesis project in areas ranging from consumer products and packaging through transportation and exhibition design. The faculty are practicing design professionals whose areas of expertise include furniture, lighting, architecture, exhibition, products, graphics, tabletop, video, automotive, medical equipment, packaging, and surface design. Their diversity, combined with that of the student body, creates a vibrant community of visual researchers defining the role of industrial design in our culture.

Industrial Design is presented as a problem-solving methodology based on a heightened awareness of human activities, human perception, and the role these play in defining our culture through the forms and products of our daily lives. The program is open to candidates holding bachelor’s degrees in any area, including science, humanities, engineering, business, fine arts, design, and liberal arts. Diversity in student population and design approach is encouraged. Design projects and problems represent the rich texture of Pratt’s New York City location. Issues include social responsibility, universal accessibility, marketing, production, cultural heritage, and aesthetic content.

highlighted courses

Master of Industrial Design
48 total credits required

A minimum of 48 credits of study is required for a Masters of Industrial Design. Up to an additional 12 credits may be required for applicants whose undergraduate backgrounds need strengthening in art and design related areas.

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fax: (718) 636-3553

CAID II: Alias

IND-540

Students learn how to develop a 3-D electronic mock-up of a product, using both simple and complex surface modeling techniques. Color, texture, patterning, lighting and relativity of surface are employed to create realistic images of the product. Transference of files through a neutral format such as IGES to drafting/plotting software and devices is also covered.

2.00 credits

CAID II: Solid Works/Pro E.

IND-542

Students learn an advanced, two-dimensional drafting software program running on high-end, PC-type equipment. Differences between product and environmental drafting are reviewed. Students learn to develop a library of component parts and patterns which are used as standard symbols for material specification. In addition to producing a complete set of product drawings, text formatting, specification layout, technical documentation, and presentation manuals relating to the draftings are covered.

2.00 credits

Point-Of-Purchase Design

IND-548

This course explores the process of learning how a product is most effectively highlighted in the marketplace (at the point-of-purchase - POP) through the use of merchandising displays and signage to meet specific marketing goals. The course objectives are to explore the creative process from design to point-of-purchase and to convey the concepts through the visual dynamics of presentational rendering as well as evolving supportive display technology. The course also helps students understand the communication and promotional value-building process, which basically is to Stop, Educate and Direct the Consumer.

2.00 credits

Production Methods I

IND-585

This is a survey of materials - metals, polymers, elastomers, glass, ceramics, paper and other engineering materials - and a discussion of processes - forming, casting, cutting, joining, and finishing. The survey, which at times includes field trips, demonstrations and the preparation of written reports is conducted from a product design point-of-view. The objective of the course is to give the student a comprehensive understanding of the above and an approach to a continuing study of the subject.

2.00 credits

Industrial Design Tech I

IND-612A

The objective of this course is to convey the information required in the design of products. A manufacturing process is analyzed and used as the basis of design. During the semester, students review specific materials and processes. Course includes guest lectures, field trips, and video presentations. A project report will be required.

2.00 credits

Toy Design

IND-517

This course deals with design techniques related to toy design, encompassing building, color, graphics, simple mechanics, and drafting. These will be applied through use of plastic, wood, foam, wire, paint, pencils, markers and vacuum forming. Special consideration is given to the understanding of the child. The safety concerns as well as the educational and fun value of the toy will be considered. Children will judge the student's toy at the end of the semester.

2.00 credits

Prototypes I

IND-515

This course is offered to seniors who wish to pursue their own special talents or inventive faculties. The resulting forms must be designed and built as complete, full-size, and useful prototypes - that is, the first of a series. The only restrictions on form are simple and logical: to be able to execute the project with available materials, tools and personal finance. Furniture, mass production ceramics, lighting, portable structures, and textiles are potential projects.

2.00 credits

Space Analysis I

IND-509

This course is directed toward the understanding of the concept of negative volume (space) in relation to interior and exterior environmental situations. The first semester is devoted to a series of abstract visual experiences designed to develop an awareness of space and of the relationship of forms to a particular negative volume. In the second semester, the student applies theory to a project (shop, restaurant, outdoor theater, exhibition space, or some other area of our environment) and brings it to finished model form.

2.00 credits

Transportation I

IND-507

Research and development dealing with the design of vehicles and/or equipment and/or environment for the general area of transportation is reviewed in this course. It covers design procedures such as survey and design development in 2- and 3-D sketching and/or mock-up for final presentation. The subsection of this course concerns itself specifically with the design of automobiles. It introduces, discusses, and evaluates the design procedures as they are currently practiced in the automobile industry.

4.00 credits

3 Thesis II IND-699B
2 CAID II: Alias or CAID II: Solidworks/Pro E IND-540 OR IND-542
6 Elective Credits
11 CREDITS

3 Thesis I IND-699A
2 Concepts of Design or Special Projects HD-506 OR IND-656
2 CAID I: Alias or CAID I: Solid Works/Pro E IND-539 OR IND-541
2 Space Analysis I IND-509
2 Prototypes I or Internship IND-515 OR IND-654
2 Production Methods IND-585
13 CREDITS

2 Industrial Design Technology II IND-612B
2 Graduate 3-D Design I IND-673
2 Graduate Color Workshop II (3-D) IND-614B
3 Industrial Design II IND-611
2 Directed Research II IND-660B
11 CREDITS

2 Industrial Design Technology I IND-612A
2 Industrial Design Workshop IND-690
2 Graduate 3-D Design I IND-672
2 Directed Research I IND-660A
3 Industrial Design I IND-610
2 Graduate Color Workshop I or Drawing I IND-614A or IND-694
13 CREDITS

Grad Color Workshop I (2-D)

IND-614A

This course is an analysis of human perception and the modes and attributes of light and color. The study of simultaneous contrast, or the way we perceive color changes as a continuous physical and psychological process, will be the key to the controlled experimental studies. Various media will be used in the process of developing creative methods for exploring ways we can manipulate the various aspects of color and light that affect our psycho-physiological equilibrium in challenging ways. Color vocabulary and glossary will accompany stages in development.

2.00 credits