Graduate program

Graduate education in industrial design at Georgia tech leads to the masters in industrial design degree that is accredited by National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). The graduate education provides an advanced and rigorous education that prepares students to undertake leadership position in industrial design education and practice. An overarching objective of the MID is to promote an understanding of design as a process of identifying, analyzing, and solving design problems of human interface with the physical environment. The industrial design program offers two types of graduate programs – a two year MID program for students with an undergraduate degree in industrial design, and a three year MID program for all other undergraduates. There are two main aspects of the MID program, first it is cross-disciplinary and involves many area of expertise, and second it has six tracks that are built on the strengths of the university - technology, ability, manufacturing, transportation, information and innovation. Graduate students perform under these new tracks and develop a specialized expertise in addition to becoming a designer. Through this comprehensive education, students are connected with other programs and research centers across campus such as Mechanical Engineering, CATEA, GVU and AWPL. The program routinely collaborates with corporations to bring design projects into the classroom through sponsored studio initiatives. They provide students with opportunities to learn about research, design and practice first hand. The MID program is design studio based education and it requires taking a design studio every semester in addition to registering for industrial design and track related courses. Through design studios and courses, students are introduced to theoretical and professional aspects of industrial design as well as the forces that are shaping the future of industrial design profession.

2 year MID

Admission in to the 2 year MID requires an undergraduate degree in industrial design from an accredited institution.  Applicants need to demonstrate competence in industrial design and preparedness to undertake graduate industrial design education.

3 year MID

Admission into the 3 year MID program requires an undergraduate degree in a field such as technology, social science, and visual arts from an accredited institution. Applicants need to demonstrate strong interest in industrial design and preparedness to undertake graduate industrial design education. The 3-year students have come with an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering, systems engineering, computer engineering, psychology, sociology, anthropology, graphic design, textile design, inventive design, fine arts, and sculpture.