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 diverse collaboration opportunities available to students. 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 College'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.
CHEM 201 | Why Things Work: Everyday Chemistry | 3.0 |
CIVC 101 | Introduction to Civic Engagement | 1.0 |
COOP 101 | Career Management and Professional Development * | 1.0 |
COM 220 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3.0 |
ENGL 101 | Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research | 3.0 |
or ENGL 111 | English Composition I |
ENGL 102 | Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing | 3.0 |
or ENGL 112 | English Composition II |
ENGL 103 | Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres | 3.0 |
or ENGL 113 | English Composition III |
IDM 214 | Human Factors Engineering | 3.0 |
MATH 101 | Introduction to Analysis I | 4.0 |
PHYS 170 | Electricity and Motion | 3.0 |
PHYS 171 | Computational Lab for Electricity and Motion | 1.0 |
PSY 101 | General Psychology I | 3.0 |
UNIV A101 | The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
** | 6.0 |
*** | 3.0 |
† | 9.0 |
| 27.0 |
PHTO 110 | Photography | 3.0 |
PHTO 224 | Studio Lighting Techniques | 3.0 |
VSCM 230 | Visual Communication I | 4.0 |
VSST 101 | Design I | 4.0 |
VSST 102 | Design II | 4.0 |
VSST 103 | Design III | 4.0 |
VSST 110 | Introductory Drawing | 3.0 |
VSST 111 | Figure Drawing I | 3.0 |
WEST 107 | Maker Workshop | 3.0 |
| 4.0 |
| Multimedia: Materials | |
| Sculpture: CNC Fabrication | |
| Sculpture: Metal Fabrication | |
| Sculpture I | |
| Sculpture II | |
| Sculpture III | |
DSMR 100 | Computer Imaging I | 3.0 |
DSMR 201 | Analysis of Product | 3.0 |
ECON 201 | Principles of Microeconomics | 4.0 |
ENTP 100 | Innovation Ecosystem | 1.0 |
ENTP 205 | Ready, Set, Fail | 3.0 |
MATE 120 | Modern Materials in Your World | 3.0 |
MATE 121 | Mechanical Behavior of Materials for Product Design | 1.0 |
PROD 101 | History and Analysis of Product Design | 3.0 |
PROD 205 | Applied Making I | 3.0 |
PROD 211 | Form Studio | 4.0 |
PROD 212 | Intro to Product Design | 4.0 |
PROD 225 | Computer Aided Imagining in Product Design | 3.0 |
PROD 230 | Product Design Process Studio | 4.0 |
PROD 235 | Applied Design Visualization | 3.0 |
PROD 245 | Seminar Professional Landscape | 3.0 |
PROD 255 | Applied Materials in Product Design | 3.0 |
PROD 265 | Introduction to CAD Product Design | 3.0 |
PROD 275 | Visual Communication for Product Design | 3.0 |
PROD 340 | Interdisciplinary Product Design Studio | 4.0 |
PROD 345 | Applied Human Centered Design | 3.0 |
PROD 425 | Applied Design Research | 3.0 |
PROD 460 | Research Synthesis Studio | 4.0 |
PROD 470 | Create Build Studio | 4.0 |
PROD 475 | Professional Practice in Product Design | 3.0 |
PROD 480 | Exhibition Studio | 4.0 |
| Design Thinking in Product Design | |
| Smart Product Design | |
| Soft Goods for Product Design | |
| Speaker Making | |
| Experimental Design | |
| Design for Manufacturing | |
| Special Topics in Product Design | |
| Special Topics in Product Design | |
| Special Topics in Product Design | |
| Special Topics in Product Design | |
| Independent Study in Product Design | |
| Independent Study in Product Design | |
| Independent Study in Product Design | |
| Independent Study in Product Design | |
Total Credits | 191.0 |
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.
Co-op/Career Opportunities
Product designers have careers in a wide range of industries including housewares, furniture, consumer electronics, fashion accessories, medical devices, toys, design research, sustainable product design, 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.
Product Design Faculty
David Beker, MArch, MFA (University of Pennsylvania, Parsons School of Design). Adjunct Faculty. Product Design, Architecture
Ann Dinh, MID (Rhode Island School of Design). Adjunct Faculty. Product Design
Jay Haon, MFA (Rhode Island School of Design). Adjunct Instructor. Product Design
June He, MFA (Rhode Island School of Design). Adjunct Instructor. Product Design
Ayana Paterson, BSID (Syracuse University). Adjunct Faculty. Product Design
Raja Schaar, MAAE,IDSA (School of the Art Institute of Chicago) Product Design Associate Program Director. Associate Professor. Product Design
Erik Sundquist, MA (Florida International University) Hybrid Making Lab Director. Associate Teaching Professor. Product design
Cooper Wright, BA (Maryland Institute College). Adjunct Faculty. Fabrication Shop Manager, Product Design