Online Bachelor of Science in Design in Industrial Design
Are you passionate about turning creative ideas into products and services that improve society? Arizona State University’s Bachelor of Science in Designs in industrial design online prepares you to become a strategic problem-solver who drives innovation, inspires business success and helps communities thrive. This program equips you to brainstorm, prototype and create future-proof solutions for the greater good of humanity and the planet.
Quick facts
Next start date: 03/17/2025
Total classes: 40
Weeks per class: 7.5
Total credit hours: 120
Industrial design: Where creativity meets innovation
Industrial design is broad and includes all forms of making and creating from sketching to 3D printing, bringing your ideas to reality. This discipline combines innovative and artistic vision with problem-solving abilities and technical expertise. With a commitment to improving the lives of human beings and the environment, industrial designers turn creative ideas into tangible products and services that benefit society. In this bachelor’s in industrial design, you’ll explore all aspects of the design process, including:
- Ideating.
- Implementing new products and services.
- Iterating.
- Developing.
- Prototyping.
- Testing.
The skills you’ll develop as an industrial design major
This program is adaptable and future-focused, ensuring you develop the skills to thrive in the ever-evolving industrial design industry. Courses emphasize design thinking, iterative design and product development. You’ll explore multiple mediums, including sketching, hand-making models and designing 2D and 3D models. Additionally, you’ll build collaboration skills by sharing ideas, receiving constructive feedback and offering input to others.
You’ll also gain proficiency in design software and tools including Adobe Creative Suite, SolidWorks, KeyShot, Rhino, and AI tools. To complete your courses, you’ll need access to a gaming-quality PC. While additional materials will be needed as you progress through the program, starting with basic equipment is encouraged.
What can you do with an industrial design degree?
Industrial design combines creativity, craft and research to transform ideas into innovative solutions. As a graduate, you’ll be equipped to create products that are not only visually appealing but also functional and meaningful. Your work can span UX design, transportation, health care, housewares, packaging, entrepreneurship and even space exploration — all while considering social and environmental challenges across industries. You’ll also have opportunities to collaborate with professionals, including CEOs, engineers, marketers and expert product users to bring ideas to life.
Will my diploma say ‘online’?
No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”
Online industrial design courses
Courses in this program focus on product creation processes, including sketching, creating 2D- and 3D-design files and building models. You'll learn to design strategic solutions for users while exploring life-centered design principles, ergonomics, human factors, and design for humanity and society. The program also covers working with both high- and low-tech solutions to address challenges.
Throughout this program, you’ll engage in virtual, project-based studios that start simple and increase in complexity as your skills grow. Emphasizing regular discussion and feedback, this approach helps you refine iterative designs that improve with each version. To further prepare for the industrial design field, you’ll complete a capstone project and have the option to pursue a design-based internship.
The jobs you could get as an industrial design major
As a graduate, you’ll be equipped to excel in product design, collaborative projects and roles that emphasize design thinking and research. With innovation in high demand across industries, you can pursue design careers in fields as diverse as athletics, health care, automotive repair, toys, houseware, electronics, power tools and more. Potential roles include, but aren’t limited to:
Animator
Art Professor
CAD Operator (Computer Aided Design Operator)
Education Professor
Graphic Designer
Industrial Designer
Mechanical Drafter
Supply Chain Engineer
TV/Movie Set Designer
Explore product design with faculty who have a broad mix of expertise
ASU’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts is home to world-class scholars, artists and designers who inspire students to shape the future. Our faculty’s research is grounded in the transformative power of art and its ability to change the world. Faculty research areas include:
- Accessory design.
- Automotive design.
- Consumer goods design.
- Design strategy.
- Furniture and homeware design.
- Industrial/product design.
- Toy design.
- Trade show exhibit design.
- User experience (UX) design.
- User interface (UI) design.
Explore product design with faculty who have a broad mix of expertise
ASU’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts is home to world-class scholars, artists and designers who inspire students to shape the future. Our faculty’s research is grounded in the transformative power of art and its ability to change the world. Faculty research areas include:
- Accessory design.
- Automotive design.
- Consumer goods design.
- Design strategy.
- Furniture and homeware design.
- Industrial/product design.
- Toy design.
- Trade show exhibit design.
- User experience (UX) design.
- User interface (UI) design.
How to apply
first-year student
You’re considered a first-year student for application purposes if you’ve never attended college or have fewer than 12 transferable credit hours.
Don't meet admission requirements?
You can still gain general admission to most online programs at ASU through Earned Admission. Through this pathway, you can demonstrate your ability to succeed at ASU by completing online courses with a 2.75 GPA or higher.
To begin, submit an application to ASU. An enrollment coach will reach out with more information if Earned Admission is right for you.
*Some programs may have higher admission requirements. You must meet all program requirements to be admitted.
Don't meet admission requirements?
You can still gain general admission to most online programs at ASU through Earned Admission. Through this pathway, you can demonstrate your ability to succeed at ASU by completing online courses with a 2.75 GPA or higher.
To begin, submit an application to ASU. An enrollment coach will reach out with more information if Earned Admission is right for you.
*Some programs may have higher admission requirements. You must meet all program requirements to be admitted.
The nation’s largest comprehensive design and arts school
ASU’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts is the home to top-ranked programs from a variety of disciplines ranging from the arts, media and engineering to film, dance and theater. We train artists and designers to leverage their creativity and problem-solving abilities to advance culture, build community and transform society.
5,300+
students.
400
internationally recognized faculty members.
125
programs in arts, media and engineering, design, dance and theater, film and music.
Top 15
among fine arts schools in the nation, ahead of Cornell University, Parsons School of Design and the University of California.
Tuition calculator
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.
Tuition calculator
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.
