Main navigation
- Programs
- Subjects
- Universities
- Destinations
- Advice
The Industrial Design program at the University of Washington, among the School's undergraduate offerings, has transformed significantly during its four-decade history. This professional program focuses on preparing students for industrial design careers within corporate and institutional innovation environments, where emerging technologies inspire novel product designs, processes, and service solutions through a human-centric approach.
The undergraduate ID curriculum is a rigorous program that prioritizes shaping forms based on usage patterns, functional needs, manufacturing limitations, and socially influenced aesthetics. Central to this design philosophy is comprehending how people interact with technology. The program equips students to recognize design opportunities, develop effective response strategies, and master communication, documentation, and organizational abilities to guide projects from initial briefs to final implementations.
Coursework encompasses every stage of design exploration, from brainstorming and scenario development to concept evaluation, refinement, detailed modeling, prototyping, testing, iteration, and manufacturing. Throughout these phases, industrial design students engage in presentations and collaborative solution-finding activities.
Student must have a High School Qualification.
Due to limited testing availability from COVID-19, the UW will accept the Duolingo’s English Test for autumn 2021 applicants. A minimum score of 105 will be required for admission. The TOEFL iBT special home edition and the IELTS Indicator at home exam will also be accepted for 2021 international freshman applicants.
English proficiency
TOEFL (iBT) - Minimum score required: 76, Recommended score: 92 or higher
IELTS - Minimum score required: 6.0, Recommended score: 7.0 or higher