Richard E. Fry, Chair
265 CTB, (801) 422-6300
Admission to Degree Program
Admission to the freshman level in the industrial design program
is obtained through an application process. Special enrollment
limitations for degree programs will be applied. Please see the
School of Technology advisor (230 SNLB) for specific details.
After two years of skill development and introductory studies,
students apply for the BFA (bachelor of fine arts) candidacy.
The Discipline
Industrial design is a blend of art and technology. It focuses on
making industrially produced objects that are appropriate
aesthetically and useful to specific people/markets. Industrial
design requires skills in two- and three-dimensional aesthetics,
drawing, and visual communications, as well as an understanding
of how things are manufactured and work.
Career Opportunities
Industrial designers specialize in areas as diverse as automobiles,
toys, sports and medical equipment, consumer products for the
home, business, exhibits, furniture, electronics, and computer
design. Computer modeling and visualization are new areas for
design exploration in the discipline.
With the popularity of computer modeling and visualization,
industrial design participates jointly in the interdisciplinary
animation degree with the Visual Arts and Theatre and Media
Arts departments. For more information on this degree and its
requirements, please see the Visual Arts section of this catalog.
The Industrial Design Program
The industrial design program serves three main purposes: (1) it
teaches the aesthetic and creative skills necessary to be successful
in the discipline, (2) it provides opportunities to practice industrial
design principles, and (3) it teaches about the relationship of
design to business and culture. The program is enhanced by a
strong tradition of working with outside industry sponsors for
projects on which to practice core skills.
Responding to the popularity of computer modeling and
visualization, the industrial design program also participates in
the interdisciplinary animation degree with the Visual Arts and
the Theatre and Media Arts departments. For more information
about this degree and its requirements, please see the Visual Arts
section of this catalog.
General Information
Application Procedures for Freshmen
Students are accepted into the program twice a year: in April for
spring/summer enrollment and in August for fall/winter.
Enrollment is limited and based on several qualifications:
- Admission to the university.
- Completion of the program application form.
- Submission of the portfolio.
- Completion of the creative exercise.
- Passing the portfolio review.
Appropriate forms are contained in an application packet
available from the School of Technology office (230 SNLB).
Application packets must be obtained and returned before
April 1 for spring enrollment or August 1 for fall. Individuals will
be notified whether or not they have been accepted by April 15
for spring/summer or August 15 for fall/winter.
Note: Individuals receiving notice of acceptance will be permitted
to register for the foundation 100-level core courses for the term or
semester immediately following their acceptance. Failure to do so
will require reapplication to the industrial design program for the
year the student actually plans to attend.
Sophomore-Through-Senior BFA Degree Program Enrollment
Permission to enroll for sophomore- through senior-level BFA
degree program courses is granted to students upon satisfactory
development of skills and creative abilities, demonstrated in a
review of a drawings-and-designs portfolio completed during the
preceding year. Faculty will assess portfolios of work submitted
by students wishing to advance in their study. Students invited to
continue are permitted to enroll in specified courses at the next
academic level. Those students who are not invited to continue
must petition the faculty in writing to be allowed to retake
courses in the industrial design program.
Transfer Students
Transfer students must participate in a portfolio review to be held
in August in conjunction with the freshman portfolio review.
Application packets must be obtained before July 1 and returned
before August 1. Enrollment is limited and based on several
qualifications:
- Admission to the university.
- Completion of program application form.
- Submission of transcript showing credit for university-level
art instruction.
- Submission of portfolio.
- Passing of portfolio review.
Contact the School of Technology advisor (230 SNLB) for
admission packets and formal application procedures.
Degree Program Advisors
Advisors are appointed to counsel students in the major. Advisors
will advise students about program objectives, course content and
sequence, career goals, and other matters pertaining to their major
field of study.
Department Probationary Status
Students can be placed on probationary status for the following:
- Inadequate academic performance.
- Unprofessional attitude and lack of commitment.
- BYU Honor Code violations.
Industrial Design Core
Required of all industrial design majors, the core enables students
to acquire a basic and broad understanding of design principles
before engaging in the specific content of the discipline. It is a
predisciplinary preparation that embraces basic aesthetic
awareness, systems for visual communication, and form
generation principles.
