The programs of the School of Art and Design provide students with the aesthetic and critical perspectives vital for professional careers in art and design. Central to the UIC approach are studio courses which engage students in the development of significant creative works as well as independent research utilizing the interdisciplinary resources of one of the world's great cities and a major research university as a base for learning.
The first year program introduces students to a wide range of possibilities for creative expression and problem-solving. After completion of the first year program, students will participate in an all-School portfolio review to gain acceptance into one of seven areas of concentration. The majors in the School of Art and Design are: Electronic Visualization, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Moving Image, Photography, Studio Arts, and Art Education. By the senior year, students in the programs based in Art and Design Hall: Moving Image, Photography and Studio Arts are working together in an advanced interdisciplinary program. Likewise, students in the programs based in the Art and Architecture building: Electronic Visualization, Graphic Design, and Industrial Design are encouraged to collaborate in interdisciplinary projects and to share an advanced Design Colloquium. Areas of collaborative study include the UIC Interdisciplinary Product Development program, which teams design students with students in the College of Business and the College of Engineering. Senior level professional practice courses offer additional opportunities to engage in projects with industry and government.
Industrial Design emphasizes the development of concepts and prototypes for a range of product design applications. Curriculum focuses on design process and research and materials and methods for a wide range of design applications that focus on improving people's lives. Students experience a unique learning opportunity that takes advantage of the University's interdisciplinary programs in a dynamic urban center. Ties to Chicago area industry allow for experience with collaborative and practical research and development. Collaborating area organizations include: Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Copco, Design for Democracy, Rehco, Motorola, and Whirpool.
The UIC Interdisciplinary Product Development program is a two-semester curriculum for advanced Industrial Design, Mechanical Engineering, and Business students who work together in cross-functional teams to research and develop new product concepts. The program integrates the latest technologies and best practices of all three disciplines.
| Industrial Design: 4-Year Plan |
| (Melamed,Starr, Tharp,Tharp) |
| Year 1 | |||
| Fall | Spring | ||
| 4 | AD 102 Drawing I (F/S) | 4 | AD 110 Graphic Design I (F/S) |
| 4 | AD 120 Industrial Design I (F/S) | 4 | AD 140 Sculpture I (F/S) |
| 4 | AD 160 Industrial Design I (F/S) | 4 | AD 170 Time-Based (F/S) |
| 3 | ENG 160 | 3 | ENG 161 |
| 3 | General Elective | 3 | General Elective |
| 18 | 18 | ||
| All majors to pass April portfolio review | |||
| Year 2 | |||
| Fall | Spring | ||
| 4 | AH 110 Art History I (F/Sum) | 4 | AH 111 Art History II (S/Sum) |
| 4 | AD 220 Industrial Design II (F) | 4 | AD 221 Industrial Design III (S) |
| 4 | AD 223 Drawing for Designers (F) | 3 | Understantandning US Society |
| 4 | AD 205 Introduction to Computer Graphics | 3 | Understanding the Individual + Society |
| 4 | AD elective | ||
| 16 | 18 | ||
| Year 3 | |||
| Fall | Spring | ||
| 4 | AD 320 Industrial Design IV (F) | 4 | AD 321 Industrial Design V (S) |
| 4 | AD 326 Materials and Methods (F) | 4 | AD 322 Interactive Product Design I (S) |
| 3 | AH 235 History of Design I (F) | 3 | AH 236 History of Design II (S) |
| 5 | Analyzing the Natural World | 3 | Exploring World Cultures |
| 3 | Understanding the Past | ||
| 16 | 17 | ||
| Year 4 | |||
| Fall | Spring | ||
| 4 | AD 420 Interdisciplinary PD I (F) | 4 | AD 421 Interdisciplinary PD II (S) |
| 4 | AD 422 Interactive Product Design II (F) | 4 | AD 415 Design Colloquium (S) |
| 3 | General Elective | 4 | AD 425 Design Visualization (S) or AD elective |
| 3 | General Elective | 4 | AD423 Industrial Design Thesis (S) |
| 3 | General Elective | ||
| 17 | 16 | ||
| 24 | First year hours | ||
| 44 | General education hours | ||
| 66 | General education hours | ||
| 134 | Total Hours |
