Become a professional designer for the 21st century, ready to tackle current momentous challenges. Whether as an industry professional or an entrepreneur, you’ll develop design solutions and strategies that innovate and improve life.
Pratt Industrial Design students become designers, artists, educators, entrepreneurs, researchers, and corporate leaders — diversity fostered by a program that encourages exploration and professional growth. You’ll begin with grounding courses in drawing, color, 3-D form, model making, and digital computer skills, and design studios that introduce you to critical thinking, problem solving, and environmental responsibility. During junior and senior year, specialized studios focus on your individual areas of interest such as product design, furniture, tabletop, food design, athletic gear, or exhibition design.
The design studio is at the core of your educational experience at Pratt. It is a creative space and a community in microcosm, from which we connect to the larger community. We believe education takes place in the studio and the classroom and that the work in the studio benefits the student’s growth equally. Working with tools and materials in the studio deepens knowledge of the opportunities inherent in form-making and design exploration.
Maker Spaces and Labs
Sustainability, material exploration, and methods of production drive our passion for making. We are hands-on and immersive; any student of design can discover, iterate and refine their investigations through the use of our many labs. Learn more
Capstone Project
In your senior year, you’ll complete a capstone project focused on an area of your interest which is a first milestone towards your future professional practice. The capstone studio project is presented at the annual design show, a public event attended by industry leaders and potential employers. Pratt Shows 2023.
Study Abroad
Isamu Noguchi sculpture, Keio University’s Art Center, Japan
Immersing yourself in another culture is an incredible experience that can extend the boundaries of creativity. Study abroad programs are an integral part of the college experience, and Pratt has deep connections with university partners around the world. See where you can go.
Learning Resources
We develop disciplinary fluency in our program of study and we celebrate the interdisciplinary nature of design critical to address the plurality and complexity of the environments in which we operate. Learn more.
Our Faculty
Pratt’s distinguished faculty of outstanding creative professionals and scholars share a common desire to fully develop each student’s individual potential and creativity. The faculty come from diverse educational and professional backgrounds representing the breadth of Industrial Design’s complexity. This multiplicity of views and experiences provide for a tailored education that is as unique as each of the students. See the full list of Industrial Design faculty and administrators.
Industrial Design alumni have risen to the tops of their fields in product design, exhibition design, health and wellness industry, academia, transportation, government, community development and advanced research.
Where They Work
Creative Director of Brand Strategy, General Motors
Executive Director, Smart Design
Creative Director, Tumi
Director of Design Development, Bioforcetech Corp
Executive Director, Global Visual Merchandising at The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
Ready for More?
HERE’S HOW TO APPLY
PORTFOLIO HELP
OUR CAMPUS & BEYOND
Thinking seriously about Pratt? Learn more about admissions requirements, plan your visit, talk to a counselor, and start your application. Take the next step.
Building your portfolio can be daunting. We’ll answer your questions and help you feel confident about the portfolio you submit with your application. Start building your portfolio, now.
Find yourself at home at Pratt: our residence halls, student organizations, athletics, exhibitions, events, the amazing City of New York and our Brooklyn neighbors. Check us out.
After years of planning and construction our East Hall Plaza has finally reopened!
The redesign occurred as part of a larger sustainability project to replace the boilers located below the plaza and East Hall with high efficiency models that will reduce campus energy consumption. The extensive renovations culminated in the beautiful and spacious East Hall Plaza.
Don’t worry, the historic steam engine is still intact on the first floor of East Hall.
Visit the link in our bio to learn more about the sustainable redesign and see more images of the new space!
#Pratt #PrattInstitute #Sustainability #Campus
Come with us on a tour of a New York City reimagined by our students! From transportation to culture, buildings, and parks, many Pratt students have proposed novel ideas that could power the future of New York City and beyond. Explore the projects at the link in our profile.
Images: "Graff Standards Manual" by Kyle Howard, BFA Communications Design '24, transforms the @MTA wayfinding with cues from street art.
"SmartStop" bus poles, designed by Joanne Wu, BID ’24. With improved wayfinding and integrated lighting, you can safely wait for the bus at any time of day.
The "Central Park Geology Lab", proposed by Hyeonsu Kim, BFA Interior Design ’24. The project imagines a hands-on research and education with high-end microscopes and imaging systems where students explore their local landscape and learn about their important role as stewards of the environment.
#Pratt #PrattInstitute #IndustrialDesign #InteriorDesign #CommunicationsDesign
@PrattInteriors @PrattIndustrial
Come discover your next favorite book by a Pratt author in the Office of Admissions! Our 2024 roundup has titles that span immersive design experiences, intimate personal narratives, poetic explorations, and engaging literary escapes for readers of all ages. Check out the link in our profile to learn more about these new and noteworthy titles showcasing the work of Pratt alumni, and don’t forget to stop by Myrtle Hall to see the latest display of new books.
Included books:
“Now Is Better,” Stefan Sagmeister, MFA Communications Design ’98; “Lifting As They Climbed: Mapping a History of Trailblazing Black Women in Chicago,” Mariame Kaba, MSLIS ’22; “My Day with Dad,” Rae Crawford, BFA Communications Design (Illustration) ’18; “Benito Juárez Fights for Justice,” Beatriz Gutierrez Hernandez, BFA Communications Design ’17; “We Who Produce Pearls: An Anthem for Asian America,” Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya, MFA Communications Design ’15; “How Do I Draw These Memories?” Jonell Joshua, BFA Communications Design ’18, Assistant to the Chair of Art and Design Education; “Worm: A Cuban American Odyssey,” Edel Rodriguez, BFA Fine Arts (Painting) ’94; “Skateboard,” Jonathan Olivares, BID ’04
#bookstagram #PrattAlumni #AuthorsOfInstagtam
What’s a typical day like for a student at Pratt? Interior Design student, Rahil, shares a few details from his day.
Last spring, Xiyona Gosain, BFA Communications Design (Graphic Design) ‘25, produced these quick interviews with students around campus to share insights about their lives, recommendations, and favorite things.
Leave a major you’d like to hear from in the comments!
#PrattInstitute #Pratt
President Bronet and Provost Heiland welcomed Michael Regan, Administrator of the US EPA (@EPAgov), and his team to our Research Yard recently! 🌿
During their visit to our 20,000 square foot research facility, Administrator Regan team also met with Adam Friedman, Chief Strategy Officer, Pratt faculty and Center Directors. We discussed the important research currently underway, in climate adaptation, design incubation, information visualization, digital archaeology, and community development. 🔍
#EPA #ResearchYard #Innovation #ClimateAdaptation #DesignIncubation #DigitalArchaeology #CommunityDevelopment #PrattInstitute
Images: (1) Gbenga Dawodu, Adam Freidman, President Frances Bronet, Administrator Regan, Provost Donna Heiland, Lisa Garcia, and Rebecca Fitzgerald, Associate Director of Strategic Partnerships; (2-4) the team meets with Pratt researchers: (5) discussion with our teams; (6-10) displays and equipment on view in the facility.
Have you ever wanted to ask a Pratt student what’s on their mind?
Last spring semester, Xiyona Gosain, BFA Communications Design (Graphic Design) ‘25, did just that. Hear from Galen Marquess, BFA Fine Arts (Printmaking) ‘25.
Both Galen and Xiyona are also alumni of @prattmunsonutica!
#PrattInstitute #Pratt #Students
We’re excited to announce Legends 2024, our annual scholarship benefit where we celebrate icons in art, design, and architecture. This year, we’re honoring three incredible individuals: award-winning filmmaker Charles Burnett, celebrated architect Toshiko Mori, and renowned packaging designer Marc Rosen ’70. 🌟
Legends 2024 is more than just a celebration—it’s a vital fundraiser that helps us raise essential funds for scholarships, empowering the next generation of creative talent. This year’s event will take place on Thursday, October 10, at Lavan Midtown in Manhattan.
“We are thrilled to celebrate Legends 2024 and honor the groundbreaking contributions of these remarkable honorees,” said our President, Frances Bronet. “This event not only recognizes their achievements but also ensures that future creative leaders can thrive and make a significant impact.”
#PrattInstitute #PrattLegends #ScholarshipBenefit #ArtAndDesign #CreativeTalent
#CharlesBurnett
@toshiko.mori.architect
@toshiko.mori_
@marcrosennyc
Pratt industrial design alumni are designers, artists, educators, entrepreneurs, researchers, and corporate leaders. This diversity comes from a program of study that allows freedom to explore. In the first and second years, students take core courses, which provide grounding in drawing, color theory, 3-D form, model making, and a full suite of digital design and production skills. At the same time, they take design studios that introduce them to critical thinking, problem-solving, and sustainability. Various studio options are available to the students in the junior and senior years when students can take specialized studios that align with their individual interests and professional aspirations, such as product design, furniture, tabletop and food design, shoes, athletic gear, exhibition design, and interdisciplinary design.
At the end of the senior year, students will complete a capstone studio, which aligns with their concentration area and the direction their future careers may follow. The capstone studio project is exhibited at the annual design show, a public event that industry leaders and potential employers attend.
The department offers study-abroad exchanges with several leading European design schools and a summer furniture-making program in Copenhagen through the Danish International School.
Upon completion of their studies:
Students demonstrate entry-level professional competence in translating their ideas into 2D and 3D design solutions.
Students can apply the steps of the design process according to current professional practice.
Students demonstrate fluency in using digital and analog design tools.
Students use a life cycle approach to examine environmental and social impacts of their design, and apply that knowledge to the development of holistic sustainable strategies.
Students approach the needs of clients and end-users from an ethical, socially responsible perspective.
Students use intellectual, ethical, and critical methods of design inquiry.
Students demonstrate an understanding of the broader context of design in relation to issues of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusivity.
