The Master of Science Degree in Industrial Design is a two-year curriculum committed to design innovation, research, and commercialization. Forged by connections to the medical, energy, aerospace, and entertainment industries in the context of Houston and the State of Texas, our graduate program advocates for a new form of design knowledge that merges theory and practice and provides a new perspective on creativity, product and system development, services, and environment with an emphasis on interdisciplinary studies.

Competitive Research Areas
Healthcare/medical design, sustainable and social design, user experience design, service design, design strategy and management, design entrepreneurship

Design Research Partners
Texas Medical Center (TMC), MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, Texas Women’s University, Rice University, Hope Clinic, Houston Technology Center, NASA, The William Stamps Farish Fund

Local Industry Partners
HP, Dell, IGLOO, XtraLight, Wilsonart, Wet Sounds, Collings Guitar, Dickson Furniture

Degree Plan: Personalized Program of Study

Each graduate student develops his/her personalized curriculum in consultation with the Director of the Industrial Design program based on the student’s needs, interests, background, and specific area of study. An interdisciplinary study plan of 36 credit hours (15 required, 9 ID electives, and 12 general electives) needs to be completed for graduation. Elective courses may be taken in other departments and colleges at the University of Houston as needed.

We offer two certificate programs with internationally recognized programs at the University of Houston:

• Entrepreneurship Certificate with the UH Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship (ranked #1 undergraduate entrepreneurship program in the US by the Princeton Review and Entrepreneur’s list of Top 50 Best Programs in 2020)
  
  
• Foresight Certificate with the UH Foresight Graduate Program to explore the future, as well as anticipate and prepare for change.
  
  

Candidates without an undergraduate degree in Industrial Design are advised to complete an additional 17 credits to develop fundamental design thinking and visualization skills. The Director of the Industrial Design program and the faculty will advise and approve appropriate courses including undergraduate Industrial Design studios.

Sample Degree Plan: MS in Industrial Design (Design Research and Development)

Sample Degree Plan: MS in Industrial Design with Certificate of Entrepreneurship

Student Awards and Recognition

Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) Graduate Student Merit Award (SMA) Winner: Kristi Bartlett (2019)  

Global Grads Show (GGS) in Dubai Invitation: 2017, 2018, 2019 

Elizabeth Reuter (2017). “Medic Restraint Systems with the Patient Compartment”
Invited to GGS 2017
Core77 student runner up in Strategy & Research Award, Student Notable in Commercial Equipment Award
https://designawards.core77.com/Strategy-Research/59617/Medic-Restraint-Systems-within-the-Patient-Compartment

Ashley Lincoln (2018). “Rafts for Phytoremediation of Surface Water”
Invited to GGS 2018
Core 77 Student Runner up in Strategy & Research Award
https://designawards.core77.com/Strategy-Research/73702/Rafts-for-Phytoremediation-of-Surface-Water 

Aaron McEuen (2019). “Visualizing Divergent Potentials”
Invited to GGS 2019 

University of Houston Graduate School Research Showcase Awards

2019
Ronald Infante, 1^st place winner. “BENDIUM: Application of IMUs in Flexion/Extension Therapy” 

David Holguin Ojeda, Honorable Mention. “The Augmented Designer: Artificial Intelligence Applied to the Design process” 

Graduate Thesis Projects

2019

Kristin A. Bartlett. “Designing a Novel Support System for Feeding Pumps: A Case Study in User Involvement in Medical Design” 

Aaron McEuen. “Visualizing Divergent potential: Development of an AI Driven Research Tool to Study the Role of Perception in Divergent Thinking”

Matilde Di Sparti. “Monitoring and Increasing Awareness on Indoor particulate Matter Pollution with a Smart Device”

Anders Felipe Quintero Tarazona. “Designing Furniture for Pediatric Speech-Language Therapy: A Participatory Design Approach”

2018

Claude M. Reyes. “Cognitive Performance Improvement in a Workstation Design by Applying Biophilia and an Immersive Environment”

Amy Conley. “Design of a Mobile Application to Help Those Who are Relocating Find and Explore Compatible New Neighborhoods While Positively Impact Well-Being”

DreVan K. Anderson-Kaapa. “Ergonomics of the Rucksack: Timing, Accessibility, and Mobility Considerations"

Mark Williams. "Design for Career Success: Web-Based Career Guidance Model for Industrial Designers"

2017

Ashley R. Lincoln. “Native Plant-Based Phytoremediation of Atrazine in Surface Waters Using a Floating Raft System”

2016

Lauren Marie Baker-Clough. “Design of a Visual Language to Support Health Communication: Leveraging Research Through Design to Gain New Insights into Health Literacy”

Elizabeth Reuter. “Media Safety Restraints Within the Patient Compartment”

ID+ and Exhibitions

ID+ is a think tank and incubator founded by the Industrial Design program. Through innovative entrepreneurship and commercial collaboration, ID+ aims to explore new ideas in design and to make innovative contributions to the development of professional design practice and related industries.

ID+ Exhibitions

2015  ID+Green showcased sustainable and authentic value of product development with local industry leaders.

https://www.uh.edu/news-events/stories/2015/November/1125ID.php

2016  ID+RED featured 10 different works focusing on community and social design from students and professionals: a lighting table to boost circadian rhythms, racing wheelchairs, and a backpack for a transitionally homeless user.

https://www.uh.edu/news-events/stories/2016/December/12072016ID+-Showcase.php