Master of Industrial Design (M.I.D.)

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.

All work executed in the College becomes the property of the College and will be retained or returned at the discretion of the faculty. The faculty also reserves the right to refuse credit for any project executed outside the precincts of the College or otherwise executed without proper coordination with the instructor.

Track 1: Design and Technology

This graduate study is integrated education in technology and industrial design. Open to those with an undergraduate engineering degree, the track offers an opportunity to learn about technology and design, so product design and development that require greater engineering knowledge can be focused. Courses will offer an opportunity to learn about theoretical perspectives and build synthetic knowledge of technology and design, which will get applied in the design studios and in thesis projects.

Track 2: Design and Ability

This graduate study will focus on accessible and universal design. The track offers an opportunity to learn about assistive technology and universal design, so product designs for a broad population including the elderly and people with disabilities can be focused. Courses will offer an opportunity to learn about theoretical perspectives and build synthetic knowledge of accessibility and design, which will get applied in the design studios and in thesis projects.

Track 3: Design and Manufacturing

This graduate study will focus on digital design and manufacturing. The track offers an opportunity to learn about the interconnectedness between digital design and production, so computerized manufacturing can serve as a basis for design innovation. Courses will offer an opportunity to learn about theoretical perspectives and build synthetic knowledge of production and design, which will get applied in the design studios and in thesis projects.

Track 4: Design and Transportation

This graduate study will focus on product design and mass transportation. The track offers an opportunity to learn about transportation technology and public requirements, so new models of transit systems and facilities can be studied. Courses will offer an opportunity to learn about theoretical perspectives and build synthetic knowledge of transport and design, which will get applied in the design studios and in thesis projects.

Track 5: Design and Innovation

This graduate study will focus on the management and diffusion of design innovation. The track offers an opportunity to learn about marketing and management alongside product design, so new products and innovations can be developed and marketed. Courses will offer an opportunity to learn about theoretical perspectives and build synthetic knowledge of innovation and design, which will get applied in the design studios and in thesis projects.

Track 6: Design and Information

This graduate study will focus on information and interface design. The track offers an opportunity to learn about product design as information and human-computer interaction, so product interactivity for a broad population can be focused. Courses will offer an opportunity to learn about theoretical perspectives and build synthetic knowledge of information and design, which will get applied in the design studios and in thesis projects.

The minimum requirements for the 2 year MID degree for a student with a previous degree in industrial design are as follows:

Minimum requirements for the 3 year MID degree for a student with a previous degree in a discipline other than industrial design are as follows:

The preparatory courses includes two design studios and 6 lecture courses; Materials and Processes, History of Modern Design, Computing 1, Computing 2, Advanced Sketching, and Professional Practice.