2020 Vision: Online Annual Exhibition

1st year students focused on the fundamental principles of design and design communication with an emphasis on design process, simple functionality, and aesthetic quality. Technique training centered around sketching, modeling, and basic research methods. Three projects are shown: 1. a simple set of products 2. a lighting fixture design inspired by a short clip of music and 3. a response to COVID-19, in consideration of the impact of social distancing and stay-home order. 

2nd year students focused on hands-on problem-solving, products with increased functional and technical complexity, design for sustainability, with an emphasis on modeling and testing as an important part of the ideation process. Studio outcomes were integrated with CAD modeling, CMF specification, materials, fabrication and designing for manufacturing. 

3rd year students conducted design research and executed a systematic design process with an emphasis on Human-Centered Design, and humanizing technology. Junior projects were developed as an integration of products and services into complex systems with knowledge shared between users, markets, technology, and local/global culture.

4th year students collaborated with the Texas Children’s Hospital to reconceive the century-old IV pole. This was a team-based product development project with multiple stakeholders involved including: nurses, patients, service personnel, and parents. In the Spring semester, seniors engaged with their individual, self-defined thesis projects, ranging from traditional product-based development to UX/UI apps and websites.

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Graduate students: Through the completion of a master’s level thesis, graduate students conducted independent, original research projects of a significant issue or area of interest in the field of Industrial Design. All students presented and communicated their design process, solutions, and research findings in a clear, responsible, critical, and objective manner, both orally and in writing.   

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