Georgia Institute of Technology

What you'll study

The programme is a studio-centred Bachelor-level degree that blends applied arts, industrial and interaction design, and design research. Students progress through a sequence of core design studios that emphasise sketching, model-making, prototyping and iterative design, alongside courses in visual communication, colour and composition, materials and manufacturing processes, digital fabrication and computational design tools.

Typical topics and modules you can expect include:

• Design studio sequence: guided projects that build skills in concept development, user research, and physical and digital prototyping.
• Materials and manufacturing: study of woods, metals, plastics, textiles and contemporary fabrication techniques.
• Digital tools and making: CAD, 3D modelling, rapid prototyping, laser cutting, CNC and electronics for interactive prototypes.
• Human-centred design and research methods: ethnography, usability testing, ergonomics and accessibility.
• Visual communication and graphic practices: drawing, typography, information design and presentation skills.
• Interaction and product design: form, function and behaviour of products and services in physical and digital contexts.
• Professional practice and portfolio development: studio critiques, collaborative projects, internships and capstone design project.

The curriculum typically integrates liberal arts and technical electives, giving students opportunities to collaborate with engineering, computing and business disciplines. A final-year practicum or capstone project allows students to demonstrate an integrated design solution from research through to prototype and presentation.

Entry requirements

Admission to the Bachelor programme is competitive and based on a combination of academic credentials and portfolio review. Common entry expectations include:

• Secondary school completion: equivalent high school diploma with strong performance in relevant subjects.
• Creative portfolio: a curated selection of work demonstrating observational drawing, design thinking, prototyping, and process work. Portfolios that show experimentation across materials and media are highly valued.
• Academic record: evidence of readiness for a rigorous, technical curriculum; strengths in mathematics, sciences and arts are beneficial.
• Standardised tests and English proficiency: where required by the institution for certain applicants, standardised test scores or English language qualifications may be requested — check the institute’s admissions guidance for current policy.
• Supplementary materials: personal statement, letters of recommendation and interview or design challenge outcomes may be used in selection.

International applicants should provide equivalent academic documentation and evidence of English language proficiency where applicable. Specific admission requirements and portfolio guidelines are available from the institute’s admissions office.

Career prospects

Graduates move into a broad range of careers that sit at the intersection of creativity, technology and user experience. Typical roles include:

• Product and industrial designer
• Interaction or UX/UI designer
• Service designer and design strategist
• Design researcher and human‑factors specialist
• Prototyping and fabrication technologist
• Design consultant or creative director in agencies and studios
• Entrepreneurship and product development in start-ups

Because the programme emphasises technical fluency, students also find opportunities in interdisciplinary teams within engineering, computing and business, or pursue postgraduate study in specialised design, human–computer interaction, architecture or engineering disciplines.

Why study at Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia Tech offers a design education embedded within a major technological research university, enabling close collaboration with engineering, computing and business schools. Students benefit from access to maker spaces and fabrication facilities, including campus-run workshops, rapid-prototyping labs and the student Invention Studio, which support hands-on learning and complex prototyping.

The institute’s location in Atlanta provides proximity to a diverse creative economy and industry partners, facilitating internships, collaborative projects and networking opportunities. The school’s interdisciplinary culture encourages design work that addresses real-world technical, social and environmental problems, preparing graduates to work in technology-driven design roles or to continue into specialised graduate programmes.