Working for San Francisco
and beyond

• Bulletin Home
• A to Z Index
• About the University
• Academic Programs
• Undergraduate Admissions
• Undergraduate Education
• Graduate Studies
• Fees and Financial Aid
• Policies and Procedures
• Resources and Services
• Course Descriptions

Related Links

• How to Use This Bulletin
• Academic Calendar
• Future Students
• Graduate Admissions
• Articulation
• Class Schedule
• Testing
• Advising, Undergraduate
• Advising, Graduate

Contact

Corrections or comments about this Bulletin

E-mail: bulletin@sfsu.edu

 

Updated March 12, 2015

Design and Industry

 

College of Liberal & Creative Arts

Dean: Andrew Harris

 

Department of Design and Industry

FA 121
Phone: 415-338-2211
Web Site: http://design.sfsu.edu
E-mail: dai@sfsu.edu

Chair: Todd Roehrman (Interim)
Graduate Coordinator: Steve Jones
Study Abroad Coordinator: Nancy Noble

 

Faculty

Professors: Chen, Gomes, Lindler, Veeder
Associate Professor: Chu
Assistant Professors: Jones, Linn, Singer, Trogu
Lecturers: Natata, Noble

 

Program

B.S. in Visual Communication Design

B.S. in Industrial Design concentration in Product Design & Development

Minor in Industrial Arts

M.A. in Industrial Arts

 

---

 

Program Scope

The Department of Design and Industry (DAI) offers a Bachelor of Science in Visual Communication Design, a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design with a concentration in Product Design and Development, a Minor in Industrial Arts, and a Master of Arts in Industrial Arts.

 

The Bachelor of Science in Visual Communication Design (BSVCD) is a program for students who intend to focus their studies on design problems along a spectrum anchored by graphic design and digital media and with outcomes including print graphics, information design, web design, interaction design, and motion graphics. The 58 - unit major addresses a changing technological landscape and the resulting new opportunities for education and the profession. The design major prepares students for design study, research and practice, as well as flexible interdisciplinary collaboration involving technology, user experience, and creative problem solving.

 

The Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design with Concentration in Product Design and Development (BSID/PDD) is a program focused on product-oriented design applications. The 61 - unit major addresses the creation of industrial goods and services, concentrating on three principles aspects of process, people, and product. The BSID/PDD incorporates a variety of user-centered design methodologies, as well as a variety of technologies, from hand tools to technical drawing to computer aided modeling and prototyping. Issues of marketing, innovation, materials selection, production, and aesthetic treatment are incorporated within the study of product design.

 

The Master of Arts in Industrial Arts (MAIA) program is designed for students who want to pursue professional work in design firms, teaching, project management, strategic planning for design firms, or management roles in technology. We emphasize problem-solving competencies, both conceptual and practical. Students in the program study visual communication design and product design with an interdisciplinary perspective. Students with a wide range of backgrounds work with a graduate advisor to design an M.A. program that meets their career goals. Based upon focused research into a chosen design problem, students develop a specialized area of study in graphic design/visual communication design, product design/manufacturing, industrial technology, project management, or digital media. Many students prepare for doctoral work at other institutions.

 

The Minor in Industrial Arts is designed to provide students with majors other than DAI, a broad exposure to applications and benefits of design and technology. Students in the minor will obtain a general knowledge of and a foundation in professional design and technology.

 

Faculty

Our highly qualified faculty come from a variety of design and technology backgrounds, and play a central role in student advising and the formation of relevant design curricula. Faculty members participate in conferences, consult, attend workshops, and publish and exhibit internationally and are attuned to current trends in design and design education.

 

Facilities

The department is housed in the Fine Arts Building near the western edge of the campus. A wide range of technologies, such as wireless networking and laptop computers, large format printing, bookbinding, computer graphics, computer-integrated manufacturing, digital electronics, rapid prototyping, along with metals and wood shops are incorporated into the instructional/learning environment.

 

Career Outlook

Business and Industry

• Middle Management
• Project Management
• Product Development
• Purchasing
• Field Service
• Technical Services
• Job Development Training
• Marketing/Communications
• Production Coordinator
• Quality Control
• Research Technician

 

Design

• Product Design
• Visual Communication Design (graphic design and interactive digital media)
• Interdisciplinary

 

Education

• Teaching
• Curriculum
• Creative Technical Support

 

Advising

During the first semester in the major all students are required to enroll in the three core prerequisites; DAI 323 Visual Design Literacy, DAI 356 History of Design, and DAI 370 Colloquium. During the DAI 370 Colloquium course, students will meet with an advisor and complete a “Major/Minor contract”.

 

Students must periodically check with their advisor to update their major advising contract and program goals, Students must also meet with their advisor prior to the semester of graduation.

 

International Track
Design and Industry majors may enhance their course of study by participating in the official Design and Industry Study Abroad programs in several locations. Eligible international track students follow a particular course of study developed in consultation with designated DAI faculty, that integrates overseas courses with the approved course requirements in DAI. All official SF State study abroad students earn SF State resident credit, and may use SF State financial aid while participating in the program. For more information please check www.sfsu.edu/~studyabr.

 

Impaction

All Design and Industry undergraduate majors are impacted. This means that there are more students interested in the program than can be accommodated. Therefore, entrance into the majors is a selective and competitive process. Applications must be received during the application filing period and no later than the November 30 deadline. Admissions decisions will be made in March or April of the following calendar year. Transfer applicants not admitted to the program, but who meet GE and University admissions requirements, will be admitted to their alternate majors. Continuing SF State students not admitted to the program will remain in their current majors.

 

Application Filing Periods

Applications for admission to the majors are accepted by the University during the application filing periods for the fall semester (October 1 to November 30 for admission for the following fall). Applications are not accepted for spring semesters. Applications received outside of the fall semester open filing period will not be considered.

 

Transfer applicants from other colleges must submit an application via CSU Mentor at http://www.csumentor.edu.

 

Continuing SF State students must submit a Supplemental Program Application and Change of Major form directly to the department.

 

Core Prerequisites and Foundation — 21 units

Twenty-one units of core prerequisite and foundation courses are required of all DAI majors.

 

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

 

Bachelor of Science in Visual Communication Design

The Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design, Concentration in Product Design and Development provides a highly focused study in project oriented design and development applications. The concentration in product design and development is interdisciplinary, incorporating the study of the nature and processing of materials as well as marketing and aesthetics. The concentration prepares students for design study, research and practice relative to user-centered needs, as well as resourceful implementation of technology innovation, materials, marketing principles and aesthetic values.

 

Visual Communication Design (B.S.) — 58 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

 

Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design: Concentration in Product Design and Development

The concentration in product design and development provides a highly focused study in project oriented design and development applications. The concentration is interdisciplinary, incorporating the study of the nature and processing of materials as well as marketing and aesthetics. The concentration prepares students for design study, research and practice relative to user-centered needs, as well as resourceful implementation of technology innovation, materials, marketing principles and aesthetic values.

 

Industrial Design (B.S.):
Concentration in Product Design and Development — 61 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

Note: Courses taken to fulfill core requirements may be substituted with other courses by advisement.

 

Minor in Industrial Arts

A minor in Design and Industry consists of 22 units that are largely chosen with an advisor to tailor the minor to the student's goals. One half of the course work for the minor must be taken at the upper division level.

 

Industrial Arts, Minor — 22 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

 

Master of Arts in Industrial Arts

Graduate Advisors: Chu, Chen, Gomes, Jones, Linder, Lynn, Singer, Trogu, Veeder

 

The department offers the Master of Arts in Industrial Arts. This curriculum provides students with the opportunity to:

• Develop a specialized advanced study area in design and design technology, design, and industrial studies.
• Prepare for doctoral study in other institutions which emphasize research and professional development in relation to the various aspects of technology.

 

This program is designed for students who want to:

• Pursue professional development related to teaching, training, or administration in program areas related to industrial and technology education.
• Study visual communication design/graphic communications and/or product design development from both an interdisciplinary as well as cross-disciplinary perspective.
• Develop further expertise in a specific area of design studies through an individual, interdisciplinary-based program of study that focuses on specific goals.

 

Students pursuing this program come from a variety of occupational areas including: education, service occupations, manufacturing, product design, visual communication design, management, electronics, construction, power and energy, and small business entrepreneurship. Employment opportunities include preparation for career advancement/enhancement through advanced study in design and related disciplines, acquisition of additional technical skills, and continued research and development activity.

 

Admission to Program

The application process to the graduate program is a dual process. One application for the University and a second application for the department. The DAI graduate application requires a statement of purpose, a résumé, three letters of recommendation, and a portfolio, evidence of creative, technical, or written work. is The program admits in the fall only. Deadline for admission materials is March 1^st. Additionally, the University requires a bachelor's degree or a recognized equivalent from a regionally accredited institution and a satisfactory scholastic average; a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0.

Students entering this program normally present an undergraduate major in design, engineering, fine arts, industrial arts, or industrial technology subject major. Priority will be given to applicants who have at least one year between completion of undergraduate degree and professional work experience. The department does accept students with other undergraduate majors in cases where students desire to make career changes and/or wish to do advanced study in design or technology related subject matter for enhancing career development and professional growth. For non-majors, a minimum of 12 additional conditional status units are required by advisement encompassing such areas as design, product design, visual communications design, graphic design, and basic tools, materials, processes knowledge and skills. Conditional status students are required to have a portfolio review with the departmental graduate committee upon completion of their 12 unit upper division undergraduate DAI courses. The review will commence prior to transition to classified status. Students may be required to enroll in additional upper division undergraduate DAI classes prior to transition to classified status. Classified status is required for enrollment in DAI 800, 805, 852, 894, 898 classes.

 

Advancement to Candidacy

A student is advanced to candidacy for a degree when the Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) is accepted and approved by the dean of Graduate Studies. All conditions placed on conditionally classified status must be satisfied before a student develops an ATC. For conditionally classified students (42 units), there is a conditional status review before a student is eligible to enroll in 800 level coursework. The Advancement to Candidacy and culminating experience Creative Work Project (CWP) should be filed in the semester immediately preceding registration for the final 6 units of graduate work. It is the student’s responsibility to monitor his/her own progress and to work with appropriate department advisors filling out university forms as necessary and meeting published deadlines.

 

Students enrolled in the culminating experience CWP, must complete their culminating experience within two (consecutive) semesters. Students who fail to complete the CWP within two semesters, are required to pay a re-enrollment fee for each additional semester, until the CWP has been completed. NOTE: Creative Work Oral Defense Presentation (a requirement for degree) is conducted spring semester only.

 

Students are required to complete their Creative Work Project within 5 years.

 

Students who do not complete the culminating experience requirement (DAI 894 or DAI 898) in the semester they are enrolled or immediate subsequent semester, are required to maintain continuous enrollment through the College of Extended Learning (CEL) until the degree is earned. Students in the CEL course will have access to library and discipline specific laboratories. The five year “time to degree” is in force. Students in the culminating experience continuous enrollment program should maintain frequent contact each semester with their advisor and meet all timelines set forth in the culminating experience proposal document (see policy on Graduate Studies website http://www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy/).

 

Students who have left the University for more than one semester while completing coursework are not guaranteed readmission to their program.

 

Written English Proficiency Requirement

As stated in the graduate studies section of the University Bulletin, each graduate student must demonstrate the ability to write American English correctly and effectively.

 

Level One: Applicants are required to submit a GRE Analytical Writing Exam with a score of 4 or higher. Applicants who demonstrate by examination that they need additional work writing American English will be referred to appropriate courses and/or resources on campus.
Level Two: Students will meet this requirement by the successful completion of the written phase of the culminating experience work that is part of either the Creative Work Project (DAI 894), or the Master's Thesis (DAI 898).

 

Note: It is departmental policy that a student must have a comprehensive written proposal approved by the department within one semester prior to enrolling in either DAI 894, Creative Work Project, or DAI 898, Master’s Thesis.

 

Upper division courses may be selected with prior approval of the graduate advisor.

 

Industrial Arts (M.A.) — Minimum 30 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.