Plaza Building, Health Center closed due to a water main break.

Advising

IND majors are assigned a faculty advisor within the department to help guide them throughout their studies. You can find your advisor and their current office hours on our Advising | Faculty & Staff page. Advisors are assigned based on the student’s last name as follows: A-C, D-Ha, He-Ma, Mc-R, S-Z. If you are unsure of your assigned advisor, please contact the department.

Please note that Industrial Design majors are required to meet with their faculty advisor every semester until they have completed IND 2450: Beginning ID Studio. Afterward, it is strongly encouraged to continue meeting with your advisor at least once a year to ensure you stay on the correct academic path for graduation.

MSUDvr_CS_CACED_2CRev_Vert_PAN

General Study Advising

For advising related to general study requirements, please schedule an appointment with Ms. Diane McGrew.

IND Major Advising

Schedule an appointment with your IND faculty advisor.

Schedule an appointment

top

Curriculum Guides

For a complete list of required courses for the B.S. degree in Industrial Design, please choose the appropriate advising map listed below:

Student Learning Outcomes

To the standard of an entry level professional designer, graduating students should be able to:

  1. Industrial Design students talking and sketching around a lab table.Perform design research that contributes to the definition and solution of design problems.
  2. Formulate multiple creative design solutions for a given problem, assess those concepts and select the most appropriate final design.
  3. Demonstrate proficient skills in; sketching and rendering with appropriate media, technical drawing, 3-D physical and computer modeling and prototyping.
  4. Develop final design solutions to optimize appropriate use of materials, manufacturing processes, user safety and marketability.
  5. Prepare presentations that demonstrate quality visual organization, verbal skills, writing proficiency and professionalism.
  6. Produce designs that address human-centered design and demonstrate an understanding of diverse cultural and global contexts.
Industrial design student works on a project in a laboratory at MSU Denver.
People sitting on a staircase in the AES Building for a presentation
Students creating models

top

Sophomore Portfolio Review

Fall 2024 Submission Deadline: Monday, December 16, 2024 by 3pm MST

Students majoring in Industrial Design are required to submit a sophomore portfolio, for review by the faculty, after completion of IND 2450: Beginning Industrial Design Studio and all prerequisite courses. Passing the sophomore portfolio review allows access to the upper division IND studio courses. These courses are definitive to Industrial Design graduates and require a passing portfolio before they can be taken. This process is also required for NASAD accreditation and helps control the quantity and quality of the program’s graduates for the benefit of the profession.

Internship Practicum

Students working together on a clay car model.The Industrial Design Professional Internship provides an opportunity for senior students to gain experience under the guidance of an industry professional. The degree-required course, entitled IND 4960: Professional Internship, requires students to complete a total of 150 hours during the semester in a placement relevant to the practice of Industrial Design (Senior Experience). If a student wishes to do their internship at a site where they are currently employed, the ID Internship must differ from their normal work activities and students must complete a project above and beyond their usual job requirements.

Registering for the Professional Internship course, IND 4960, requires students to meet periodically with the assigned instructor to report on progress, to share concerns, and to ask questions. Although the IND department may share information regarding available internship opportunities with students, it is the student’s responsibility to secure an internship that appeals to them and will help fulfill their long term design learning and educational goals.

Prerequisites: satisfaction of all Level I and Level II General Studies course requirements, senior standing, and completion of IND 4450: Advanced Industrial Design Studio.

top

Policies

Advising: Department policy requires all Industrial Design majors to meet with a faculty advisor each semester, prior to registration, until IND 2450 – Beginning Industrial Design class is completed. A department hold (IND Adv/Portfolio) will be placed on a student’s account, preventing them from registering for classes, until advising has been completed.

 

Attendance: (As of Spring 2020) Punctual attendance is required and will be taken at the start of each class session. Every two unexcused absences may result in a letter grade reduction in your final grade. More than FOUR unexcused absences may result in failure from the class. An excused absence requires a written explanation letter and/or official documentation from a responsible party (i.e. doctor’s note, health service form, etc.). Arriving to class on time is required. Every three unexcused tardies (arriving more than 15 minutes late) will be considered as one unexcused absence. Individual faculty attendance policy will override department policy.

 

Material and Computer Labs, Design Studio, and Photo Studio: The labs are essential components of the Industrial Design department and because of liability issues and lab support costs, laboratory equipment is for the use of students currently enrolled in and paying tuition and student fees for IND classes for which labs are a requirement.

Students not currently enrolled in IND courses or alumni who have graduated with an IND degree wanting to use IND labs must get prior approval from the Chairperson to work in the labs. Under no circumstances are non-active IND students, non-IND majors, or alumni allowed to use IND power tools even if access is approved.  Click IND Lab Policies and Procedures to view the full list of department lab and studio policies.

 

Portfolio review: All students majoring in Industrial Design are required to submit a portfolio, for review by the faculty, after completion of IND 2450 – Beginning Industrial Design Studio and all prerequisite courses. Passing the portfolio review allows access to the upper division studio courses. These courses are definitive to Industrial Design graduates and require a passing portfolio before they can be taken. This process is required for NASAD accreditation and helps control the quantity and quality of the program’s graduates for the benefit of the profession. Click the ‘Portfolio Review Guide’ button above for more information regarding the screening requirements and process.

 

Test challenge of courses: Only IND 1450 – Industrial Drawing and CAD is open to test challenge. Contact the instructor of this course if you wish to test challenge the course.

top

Material Labs

We are happy to offer open lab hours for the following locations during the Fall 2024 semester. Labs are for current IND major students and for completion of current coursework only. Schedules are subject to change without notice.

Lab (Location) Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
WOODS (AES 125) 9:00-11:45am 9:00am – 8:00pm 9:00-11:45 am 9:00am – 8:00pm 9:00am – 12:00pm
METALS (AES 145) 9:00-11:45am 9:00am – 8:00pm 9:00-11:45 am 9:00am – 8:00pm 9:00am – 12:00pm
PLASTICS (AES 225) 9:00-11:45am 5:00 – 8:00pm 9:00-11:45 am 5:00 – 8:00pm 9:00am – 12:00pm
TEXTILES (AES 265) 9:00-11:45am 11:00am-4:45pm 9:00-11:45 am 11:00am-4:45pm 9:00am – 12:00pm
COMPUTER LAB

(AES 375)

Not Available Not Available Not Available Not Available 8:00 am-2:30 pm

Fall 2024 Semester: 9/3/24 – 12/6/24 (Labs are not available during finals week)        

Times/days are subject to change or cancelation at any time and at the department’s discretion.

  • Labs are not available during scheduled classes or outside of open lab hours and will not be made available during fall break or finals week.
  • Only students needing to work on current IND course-related projects may attend.
  • All students working in the labs will be required to wear face masks, always, and practice social distancing. Any student who does not adhere to the above requirements will be asked to leave the lab immediately.
  • Open lab schedules are subject to change or cancelation at any time and at the department’s discretion.

By entering an IND lab space, you are agreeing to the IND department’s Lab Policies and Procedures.

If you have any questions, please contact our lab coordinator.

Students working in the woods lab of the AES building.

Trying to find materials for your industrial design project?

The Department of Industrial Design has compiled this up-to-date local resource list to assist you in finding materials, that include:

  • Wood
  • Metal
  • Plastics
  • Glass
  • Hardware
  • Industrial supplies
  • Fabric, Leather, Fibers
  • Ceramics, Sculpture
  • Prototyping services

top

Scholarships & Contests

APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS!

Learn about the large number of institutional and private scholarships available to MSU Denver students. Fill out the 2024-25 Scholarship Application today to be considered! Design contest announcements will change periodically.

Changemakers in Design Scholarship image with application dates open December 1, 2024 through March 1, 2025.

Changemakers In Design Scholarship

Application Open: December 1, 2024-March 1, 2025

Anderson Mason Dale Architects, partnered with MSU Denver Foundation, have established the Changemakers in Design Scholarship, to provide support to students who are interested in a career in design or architecture! This need-based award(s) is open to current undergraduate MSU students majoring in design fields, including industrial design, and are in Junior or Senior standing for the fall 2024/spring 2025 academic year.

DF Design Foundation logo

The Design Foundation | Industrial Design Undergraduate Scholarship

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, November 22, 2024

The Design Foundation offers two scholarships each year with funds generously donated by our community members and corporations. These scholarships allow the Design Foundation to assist students at the earliest stages of their design careers by providing much needed financial support.

In addition, each scholarship winner receives significant community recognition through the Industrial Designers Society of America’s media channels and a profile in INNOVATION magazine.

Recipients of our scholarships go on to do great things within the design community and achieve great professional successes.

VMSD Scholarship & Experience 2024 logo

VMSD SCHOLARSHIP + EXPERIENCE 2024

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, September 6, 2024, by 11:59 PM Eastern/8:59 PM Pacific.

The 4th annual VMSD Scholarship + Experience recognizes and supports leadership potential in the Interior Design, Retail Design, Hospitality Design, Visual Merchandising, Architecture, UX Design, Engineering, and Product Design fields through a $1,500 scholarship plus an invitation to attend the 2024 International Retail Design Conference (IRDC) in Kansas City, MO, this October with airfare, hotel, and daily per diem covered—a prize package totaling $4,500 for this year’s recipient.
Ulta Beauty logo

2024 PAVE Student Design Competition Sponsored by ULTA Beauty

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Monday, October 21, 2024, BEFORE 11:59 PM EST.

The annual PAVE Student Design Competition promotes “real-world” design experience for college-level students globally, who are interested in pursuing careers in the design industry. This international competition is open exclusively to current undergraduate and graduate-level college students involved in retail planning, interior design/architecture, visual merchandising, graphic design, industrial design, engineering, branding, UX/UI design, or similar programs.
As a reminder, you must pre-register to participate in this competition to access the Project Submission Form.

Fund Your Future The Pave Student Aid Program

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Wednesday, October 23, 2024, BEFORE 11:59 PM EST.

The PAVE student aid program supports students globally, studying retail design, interior design, architecture, visual merchandising, industrial design, UX/UI design, graphic design, product design, and other similar programs preparing students for careers related to the creation of consumer environments who are experiencing financial difficulties.  

The intent is to provide for basic needs such as food, housing, books, tuition, health insurance, medical bills, utilities, transportation, etc.
PAVE Fund Your Future Scholarship logo.

59th Korea International Design Award

Registration: May 1, 2024 - June 30, 2024

The Korea International Design Award is the most prestigious design award in Korea, hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, which first started in 1966 and celebrates its 59th anniversary this year, and jointly hosted by the Korea Institute of Design Promotion and the Federation of Korean Design Societies.

This exhibition operates a system of ‘general and university (graduate) students’ to discover talented designers who will lead the future and nurture them as the next generation of designers.

59th Korea International Design Award logo

top

Industrial Design Major Course Descriptions

top

Department and University Forms

Visit the Registrar's Office for a full list of student registration forms. Forms: Must use standalone Adobe Acrobat for full form functionality (not in-browser)

Registrar's Office

To submit a digital signature:

A person digitally signing a form on a tablet with a digital pen.

  1. Save/download the form to your device.
  2. Open the form in Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader to add your signature (see further below for instructions).
  3. Save signed form to your device.
  4. Email signed form.

 

Example image of a digital signature

To add an Adobe Digital Signature:

Use Adobe Acrobat to add signature (recommended)

Use Adobe Reader to add signature

Use PDF Signing Guide if you are having trouble adding your signature to a form (document)

top

Your Auraria Library

The only tri-institutional academic library in the nation, serving the students, faculty and staff of three leading urban institutions.

Auraria Library
Library innovation garage space, including computers, desks and chairs

Innovation Garage

The Auraria Library Innovation Garage provides high quality 3D printing, large format printing, and vinyl cutting services in support of project-based learning and research. The Innovation Garage also serves as a drop-in support space for multimedia projects. Our lab includes specialized software workstations and large format scanners. All services in the Innovation Garage are available for current students, staff, and faculty of Auraria Campus.

Innovation Garage
Large image printer

Print, Scan & Copy

The Auraria Library also provides students with print, scan and copy resources in support of project-based learning and research. All students receive a $3.00 printing/copy allowance per semester which can only be used in the Auraria Library. Students may also pay per print/copy or set up a Library Print Account. Scanning is free.

Print, Scan & Copy
Blue study room with desk and chairs

Group Study Rooms

The Auraria Library has 12 group study rooms that may be reserved by students, faculty, and staff. Reservations can be made up to one month in advance. Each room has a whiteboard, electrical outlets, tables and chairs, a large screen, and wireless internet access.

Group Study Rooms

top