Career Opportunities

Graduates of this program would obtain jobs in the following areas: industrial design, interaction design/human factors design, environmental design, and packaging design.

Recommended High School Subjects

Course work with a strong emphasis on communication, science, aesthetics, and analytical skills.

Special Equipment Needs

Laptop Computer Required

• Windows 11 or higher (recommended).
• 64-bit, 3.0 GHz or greater, 4 or more cores (Intel or AMD) (required).
• 16+ GB RAM (required); 32+ GB RAM (recommended).
• 250+ GB Solid State Disk (SSD) Drive (recommended).
• 1 GB GPU minimum Graphics Card (required); 4 GB GPU (recommended).
• Laptop must include a webcam and microphone (required).
• Laptop must include a wireless network card (required).
• Broadband Internet connection when working off campus (required).
• Additional plug-ins may be required (Information Technology Services Service Desk available for assistance).
• Chromebooks and other devices running Chrome OS are prohibited.

Remediation Strategies

All incoming students must meet placement requirements in math. Students are expected to remediate any deficiencies as explained in the College Catalog (see https://www.pct.edu/catalog/admissions-policy).

Transfer Procedures

This major is subject to the transfer standards established by the College (see http://www.pct.edu/admissions/transfer/Transferring-Credits). Exceptions must be approved the school dean.

Program Goals

• design products that are useful, useable, safe, and desirable.
• evaluate how products are manufactured and how they can be improved in form, function, and appeal based on human factors.
• synthesize the needs of business, marketing, sales, engineering, manufacturing, and sustainability to design effective products.
• synthesize human factors in the development of product and system interfaces.
• use CAD, CAID, and graphic design software applications to develop design solutions.
• apply knowledge and principles gained through the history of design.
• communicate effectively via 2D and 3D modeling as well as in written and verbal form.
• synthesize human factors in task design (establishing processes or sequences of operations such as websites, telephone systems, manufacturing processes, etc.), including social/cultural considerations.
• manage and participate in collaborative, multidisciplinary team projects.

Performance Standards

Prior to beginning the third year of study, students must demonstrate proficiency in designing creative, practical products. Specifically, students must demonstrate the ability to sketch design concepts and to assess their feasibility based on engineering, marketing, and manufacturing constraints. These proficiencies will be demonstrated by earning grades of a 'C' or better in the following courses: BIX 110, BIX 220, and ART 109. Students must also meet the minimum GPA requirements established by the College's Academic Probation policy.