David Klein

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David Klein

Professor of Industrial Design

Industrial Design

Office Hours

Fall 2024:
Monday, 11:00am-12:30pm and 2:00-3:30pm
Tuesday, 2:00-4:00pm

Biography

David Klein received his MFA degree in Industrial Design from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and his BA degree in Product Design from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. He designed children's riding toys, adult fitness equipment, interior design accessories, and consumer electronics at Samsung while living in Seoul. He completed a Fulbright-Hayes Seminar in the Czech and Slovak Republics, was a visiting scholar at the Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, and was Western District VP of the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) He has presented at regional and national conferences and recently completed a sabbatical at Fachhochschule Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Art, Germany.

Research Interests

    Design for manufacturing, international design and architecture, aesthetic functionalism, photography, well-being.

Teaching Interests

    Design history, design studio courses, manufacturing materials and processes. My philosophy is that design projects of interest, and teachers with personality who relate to them will inspire them to do good work. Another philosophy is that projects do in cooperation or sponsored by industry bring a new level of interest and commitment from students.

Education

MFA in Industrial Design

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

BA in Product Design

Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Published Works

    Klein, W. D., Shin, T. J. (2026). Integrating AI into Industrial Design Education: Retaining The Human Element. International Teaching Learning Cooperative, LLC, https://www.lillyconferences-ca.com/ Shin, T. J., Wanberg, J. J., Klein, W. D. (2025, June). THE AI-ENHANCED DESIGN PROCESS: INTEGRATING REFLECTION AND INTELLIGENCE INTO THE FUTURE OF DESIGN EDUCATION. Caston, M., Klein, W. D. (2015). Student Perspectives of Sponsored Projects: Faculty Best Practices for Preparing Students. Venture Well, venturewell.org/open2015/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/CASTON.pdf Caston, M., Klein, W. D. (2014, August). Community Engagement: Exploring Commercial and Nonprofit Options. Industrial Designers Society of America. Klein, W. D. . Faculty expert on TV31 (FOX). , Klein, W. D., Phillips, R. K. (2011). Sustainable Design: An Educational Imperative. The Journal of Technology Studies, XXXVII(Number 2, Fall 2011), 9 pages. http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JOTS/v37/v37n2/. Klein, W. D. . Faculty expert on TV2 (CW). , Klein, W. D., Phillips, R. K. (2009). Teaching Sustainability in an Industrial Design Curriculum . Conference Proceedings of the 2009 NCIIA National Conference, https://secure.nciia.org/conf09/papers/Klein.pdf Klein, W. D. (2008). Creative Industrial Design in China and Korea: The Manufacturing Revolution . Conference Proceedings of the 16th Annual National Association of African American Studies & Affiliates (NAAS) National Conference , Klein, W. D., Phillips, R. K., Jackowski, M. (2007). Industrial Design and Marketing: Innovative Classroom Collaboration. Conference Proceedings of the 2007 NCIIA National Conference, Jackowski, M., Klein, W. D., Phillips, R. K. (2007). Motivational Factors and Tactics for the Student Operated Business. Conference Proceedings of the 2007 Marketing Educators' Association National Conference, Klein, W. D. (2005). Innovation . Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), Spring 2005 . Klein, W. D. (2002). Design Projects for the Classroom . The Technology Teacher , 61(4), 3. http://www.iteea.org/Publications/TTT/decjan02.pdf. Vanka , S., Klein, W. D. (1995). ColorTool: An Informational Tool for Cross-Cultural Design . Conference Proceedings of the Human Factors Ergonomics Society 39th Annual Meeting , https://doi.org/10.1177/154193129503900510