Future Designers

The Department of Industrial Design is positioned to assist you in becoming a successful designer in the field of Industrial Design, with our dedicated, experienced and well-qualified faculty and high quality laboratories. Our program is multi-faceted, offering courses in textiles, bicycle design, furniture design, prototyping in metals, woods, and plastics, and working with outside industry. Students gain marketable skills through hands-on projects led by professors who work in the industry.

Industrial Design Admissions

Admission to the University is all that is required for admittance to the Industrial Design (IND) major. All students entering the Department of Industrial Design as majors are admitted under the B.S. of Industrial Design. All incoming students to the IND program are encouraged to schedule an advising appointment with department Chair, Professor John Wanberg

After completing the foundation major courses in IND, and select general study courses, those wishing to pursue the B.S. degree in Industrial Design will be required to pass a formal sophomore portfolio review to continue with the remainder of our program. A minimum 3.0 current G.P.A within the IND-core only, is required to submit a portfolio for review. Students should discuss the particular requirements of the portfolio review with a faculty advisor shortly after declaring their Industrial Design major.

The Metropolitan State University of Denver does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, or disability in admission to, or operations of its programs, services, or activities.

University Admissions

To learn more about admissions requirements and deadlines at Metropolitan State University of Denver, please visit the Office of Admissions.

Why get your ID degree at MSU Denver?

The Department of Industrial Design delivers the academic content you expect from a bachelor’s program while also bringing to the table everything that’s unique about MSU Denver’s people and our city’s design community.

The only industrial design program in Colorado to be accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, students here have the advantage of the following opportunities:

• Actively participate with professors for a learner-centered education.
• Develop well-rounded design skills in a hands-on environment.
• Hone your abilities in well-equipped state-of-the-art materials shops.
• Learn from a professional, diverse faculty with real-world experiences.
• Benefit from small classes and individual interaction with faculty.
• Get personalized advising from faculty dedicated to your success.
• Intern with various organizations, and jumpstart a successful career.
• Attend one of the best design programs for return on investment.
• Enjoy attending classes on a vibrant and diverse downtown campus.

Career Opportunities for Graduates

Earning a degree in industrial design from MSU Denver prepares students for further graduate studies or for careers in fields such as:

• Product design and development
• Computer-based jobs/drafting
• Exhibit design
• Entrepreneurial product design
• Model making and rapid prototyping

These are some examples of products you could develop new or different designs for while working independently or directly with manufacturers:

• Bicycles
• Cars
• Consumer electronics products such as computers and smartphones
• Furniture
• Home appliances and housewares
• Medical equipment
• Snowboards and other outdoor adventure equipment
• Children’s toys

Aerospace & Engineering Sciences Building

The Department of Industrial Design is located inside the Aerospace and Engineering Sciences building, located at the corner of Auraria Parkway & 7th Street, in downtown Denver.

Here, we strive to prepare students for the professional world of industrial design through a well balanced design curriculum, including advanced manufacturing and hands on design skills. We are proud of our state of the art equipment and well-equipped laboratories, including our woods, metals, composites and plastics, and 3D printing lab facilities; all which lend to the student’s experiential learning experience!

We make sure you have the tools you need to succeed. Our facilities include:

• Cutting-edge technology in 3-D printing, laser engraving, CNC routing, and CNC milling.
• High-speed wireless network environment.
• Well-equipped teaching spaces and labs.
• Computer lab facilities stocked with advanced software packages for 2-D, CAD, and 3-D computer modeling.
• Three one-of-a-kind material labs: Woods, Metals, and Composites/Plastics, all fully equipped with tools and machinery.
• Fully equipped photo studio.
• Designated studio space for advanced and professional design courses.