Product Design BS

Major: Product Design
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 191.0
Co-op Options: One Co-op (Four years)
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 11.0105
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 15-1255; 27-1021; 27-1024; 27-1029

About the Program

The Product Design program at Drexel University explores opportunities in the field of Industrial Design, preparing students for exciting and dynamic careers in the ever-evolving world of product development and innovation. This creative and interdisciplinary program combines the fields of art, engineering, technology, psychology, business, and sociology to equip students with the skills needed to design the products, services, systems and experiences that shape our daily lives.

Our curriculum is centered on teaching students the technical and innovative skills required to develop products for a wide range of industries. Students have access to a range of fabrication facilities which include the Prod Make Lab, the Hybrid Making Lab, the Smart Product Lab, and Empathic Co-Design Lab. The shops, labs and studios are all collaborative, design-centered spaces, built to promote and sustain the studio culture. Students also gain strategic problem-finding and problem-solving skills that can be applied across various contexts. Through hands-on studio work and design research methods focused on product development, commercialization and user experience, our students develop a comprehensive understanding of a human-centered design process.

One of the unique features of our program is the ability to collaborate among students and between programs. We encourage our students to address challenges in sustainability, social impact design, health, technology, and interdisciplinary product development and innovation. By working with faculty and peers from various disciplines, our students gain a broad perspective on design and its potential to make a positive impact on the world.

Graduates of the Product Design program are well-prepared for a wide range of creative and in-demand careers. Through the rigorous curriculum and co-op employment experience, our alumni have gone on to successful careers as industrial designers in the following areas: consumer products, furniture design, toy design, medical devices, wearable technology, transportation, user experience/user interface (UX/UI), electronics, design research, project management and environmental design. With a Bachelor of Science in Product Design from Drexel University, you'll be equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to make your mark in this exciting field.

Students enrolled in the Product Design major are encouraged to pursue a minor outside of Product Design which allows them to apply their design capabilities towards a specific area of expertise and interest.

Additional Information

For more information about this major, visit the Westphal College of Media Arts & Design's Product Design page.

Degree Requirements 

In addition to the following requirements for graduation, students enrolled in the Product Design major are encouraged to pursue a minor outside of Product Design that will allow them to apply their design capabilities toward a specific area of expertise.

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COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

Writing-Intensive Course Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.

A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.

Sample Plan of Study

4 year, 1 coop

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COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

Co-op/Career Opportunities

Product designers have careers in a wide range of industries including housewares, furniture, lighting, consumer electronics, fashion accessories, medical devices, toys, design research, sustainable product design, packaging, user experience, as well as automotive and transportation. The work of product designers improves the usefulness and appearance of countless products that contribute to the quality of our work and personal lives.

Visit the Drexel Steinbright Career Development Center page for more detailed information on co-op and post-graduate opportunities.

Program Level Outcomes

Problem Solving: Upon completion of this program, students will be able to solve problems with purpose and empathy by applying human-centered design methods—including ethnographic research, ergonomics, and ethical reasoning to create products and systems that respond meaningfully to human needs and contexts. 

Making: Upon completion of this program, students will be able to think through making by utilizing drawing, physical prototyping, and digital modeling as tools for exploration, iteration, and reflection, developing both conceptual clarity and material fluency. 

Communication: Upon completion of this program, students will be able to communicate ideas clearly and authentically by presenting and documenting their work through effective visual, verbal, and written communication, articulating the intent, process, and impact of their design decisions. 

Skill Building: Upon completion of this program, students will be able to integrate technology, craft, and production by demonstrating competence in the tools, technologies, and manufacturing processes that bring design ideas to life, from traditional making methods to advanced digital fabrication and visualization. 

Collaboration: Upon completion of this program, students will be able to collaborate with industry and community in the classroom, with professional partners, and beyond—to produce responsible, interdisciplinary, innovative, ethical, and sustainable design outcomes.  

Product Design Faculty