Undergraduate Program - Industrial Design

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What is Industrial Design? Why choose Industrial Design at QUT? Is Industrial Design for you? Other careers to consider Career outcomes Further information Study options

Industrial Design brochure (PDF, 116kB)

What is Industrial Design?

Industrial design is the activity of creating products and systems of products that satisfy human needs and improve people's lives. It involves research, planning, design, development and production of a wide range of domestic, commercial and industrial products - from domestic appliances to vehicles to industrial tools.

Industrial designers make models and prototypes to demonstrate and test product designs. When designing new products or improving existing ones they consider usability and ergonomics, cost, materials, technology and impact on the environment. They research how people use products, make detailed drawings and supervise the construction of prototypes for testing.

Industrial designers generally work as part of a multidisciplinary team involving engineering, production and marketing. While other specialists, such as electronic engineers and mechanical engineers, may work on circuit boards and mechanisms, industrial designers work on the overall purpose and structure of the product, its appearance and the way in which people will use it.

Why choose Industrial Design at QUT?

Industrial design at QUT combines the technical aspects of design, entrepreneurial design, CAID (computer aided industrial design) technology, human factors and ergonomics with
innovation, aesthetics, marketing, cultural and social values.

You will develop the capacity to design a wide range of products for the mutual benefit of users and manufacturers - products that people enjoy using.

You'll benefit from a wide range of activities included in the program such as study trips and community projects as well as QUT's strong collaborative links with international and national
professionals and business communities.

By the time you graduate you'll be ready to make an immediate and positive contribution to the profession, industry and the community.

Is Industrial Design for you?

If you're interested in any of the following, you may enjoy a career in Industrial Design:

• Technology and how things work
• Art and design
• Making things with your hands
• Using your imagination to make things look and work better
• Expressing yourself visually.

Other careers to consider

You may also like to consider a career in a related area, which may involve similar interests, such as:

• Architecture
• Interior Design
• Engineering.

Career outcomes

Industrial designers find employment in government, manufacturing companies and consulting practices, or have their own practice. Some designers proceed to careers in research and development departments and in education. After graduation and gaining experience, many industrial designers seek to specialise.

This may involve further studies at master and doctorate level. QUT Industrial Design graduates are working worldwide or have their own companies in places such as the UK, USA, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan and France.

Further information

Domestic enquiries Telephone: +61 7 3138 1433 Fax: +61 7 3138 1529 Email: bee.enquiries@qut.edu.au

Study options

Undergraduate Study

• Bachelor of Design (Industrial Design)

The QUT StudyFinder site provides more information on this course