Industrial Design
About this program
Develop creative solutions to everyday needs. Put a fresh twist on the tried-and-true or invent an original product that’s 100% your own. In the Industrial Design program, you’ll explore functionality, ergonomics, and aesthetics. Learn how to express concepts using rendering software. Ready to flex your creativity? Channel your ingenuity and bring innovative ideas to life? With a degree in Industrial Design, you’ll learn how to do exactly that.
Next steps...
You're on your way to becoming a tomorrow maker.
Specialized Learning Labs
#1
First & Only B.S. Degree of Its Kind in PA
17
Average Class Size
Careers
- Industrial designers
- Interaction designers
- Environmental designers
Courses
At Penn College, we believe your educational experience should go beyond specialized skills. Real-world ready means taking a broader approach that builds communication skills, inspires collaboration, and encourages exploration of arts, history, and science.
Specialization requires in-depth knowledge and high-level proficiency. Students learn and apply major-specific concepts, skills, and methods.
- BIX110Introduction to Industrial Design
- BIX130Model Building
- BIX220Ergonomics & Kinesiology
- BIX231Mechanical Engineering Principles
- CAD1243D Parametric Modeling Using SolidWorks(R)
- BIX331Design Studio I
- BIXELCDirected Industrial Design Elective
- BIX340Industrial Design Applications
- MKT240Principles of Marketing
- BIX360Medical Device Design
- BIZELCIndustrial Design Elective 300-400 Level
- BIX401Design Studio II
- MET319Lean Manufacturing & Quality Control
- BIXELCDirected Industrial Design Elective
- BIX495Senior Project
- BIXELCDirected Industrial Design Elective
Perspectives are points of view, offering a variety of ways of understanding, interacting, and influencing the world. Students identify, explain, and utilize the approaches used by academics and professionals to study, analyze, or understand problems, and offer solutions.
- ART107Visual Literacy for Designers
- ART109Design & Color
- ART102Two-Dimensional Design
- BIO103Human Anatomy & Physiology Survey
- ART270Computer Graphics I
- ART180Drawing
- ART202Introduction to Three-Dimensional Design
- MTT223Machine Tool Applications for Fabrication & Repair
- ART125Art History: Ancient through 15th Century
- PSY111General Psychology
- CDPELCCore Global and Cultural Diversity Perspective
- PHS103Physics Survey
- HIS262History of Technology & Society
Learn From Experts
What is industrial design?
What is industrial design? Tom Ask, industrial design professor tackles this and the most asked questions about this career path. Learn how you can innovate tomorrow with creative solutions to everyday needs. Whether it's a new product or a fresh twist on an old design, you'll learn how to bring design ideas to life.
Maker Profiles
Student
Morgan Bagenstose
Engineering & Industrial Design Technology
Her maker mindset primed Morgan for success at Penn College where she’s thriving in her classes and leading the college’s popular Baja team.
Faculty
Tom Ask
Engineering & Industrial Design Technology
He's a licensed engineer and published author, but also a creative catalyst for his students.
Alumni
Jeffrey Feeman
Engineering & Industrial Design Technology
He landed a career that allows him to combine his technical skills and love for the performing arts.
Alumni
Cory Karges
Engineering & Industrial Design Technology
This alum’s work points way for millions at iconic resorts.
Alumni
Richard Wood
Engineering & Industrial Design Technology
His childhood engineering skills led Richard to a career at Newport News Shipbuilding.
Alum and Student Stories
All Signs Point to Success
Cory Karges is the design manager for the company responsible for much of the creative signage at Universal and Disney, such as Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, an immersive coaster experience added to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal.
Engineering Inspiration
Penn College alums Jeff Feeman, and Frank Carr, engineer inspiration for thousands of spectators every year at Sight & Sound Theatre in Lancaster, PA - one of the top three theatre destinations in the United States.
Tomorrow Maker in Action
As part of her senior project, Elizabeth Snedeker redesigned a common, yet troublesome surgical instrument used for partial-knee replacements. Her design has impressed a prominent orthopedic surgeon, as well as the maker of the current extractor tool.
Senior Projects
During the final semester, students complete a capstone project that focuses on the design of a product or system of their choice. Check out the latest senior projects!
Basketball Training Sleeve
Designed by Nolan Frederick
Cosplay Accessory
Designed by Julia Faser
Childs Toy Designed to Hold Pacifier as a Memento
Designed by Kenni Powell
Slip On Shoe Design
Designed by Kyle Benton
Diorama for a new game design
Designed by Alexander Geyer
Toy Design
Designed by Ben Pace
Hiking boot for Brazilian market
Designed by Graham Burnett
Immersive exercise equipment for paraplegics
Designed by Jon Ditto
Testing training system on scent dog
Designed by Nina Hadden
Ethnographically based surgical tool design
Designed by Elizabeth Snedekker
Fitness watch with tactile interfaces
Designed by Andrew Goth
Mechanical keyboard with tactile and acoustic design
Designed by Graham Burnett
School desk design for El Salvador
Designed by Ben Pace
Internals of training system showing microcontroller and custom designed impellers
Designed by Nina Hadden
Tour Schedule
Seeing is believing.
Think Penn College might be a good fit for you? Make plans to visit and discover what hands-on learning is all about.
Feb 21
Undergraduate Open House
Saturday, February 219 AM - 3 PM
Apr 26
Undergraduate Open House
Sunday, April 269 AM - 3 PM
Facilities
Industrial Design Studio
Perfect your drawings and bring concepts to life in our collaborative studio space. Complete with a model shop and work benches, the studio is used for lab and available outside of class for project work.
Industry Partners
Work with experts to become an expert
Penn College's strong corporate partnerships impact every step of your journey – from your first day in the classroom and labs, to career placement (oftentimes before graduation) and beyond.
Internship
Your knowledge in practice
Hanna Williams grew up on a farm with soil on her boots and a love of John Deere in her blood. After a life-changing car accident inspired her to seize the day, she decided to pursue industrial design at Penn College. Her can-do spirit earned her an internship at John Deere, an invaluable experience that landed her a full-time engineering position with the company.
Student Experience
The community as their classroom
Student constructs his future at K'NEX
Some people spend a lifetime searching for that elusive “dream job.” Thomas Proske spent a summer experiencing his, thanks to an internship at a prominent toy maker.
Student Life
Lead and put your skills to the test
Society of Inventors and Mad Scientists (SIMS)
SIMS supports the creative design of products, systems, and environments. This organization encourages innovation, creation, wonderment, and fun in pursuit of whimsy and functionality through the active participation in design competitions, events, and projects.
Student Wildcats of Robotic Design (SWORD)
Student Organizations at Penn College
Your college experience is about more than the classroom. Join one of 65+ clubs and organizations, or create your own.
Penn College News
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Engineering design students tour High Steel Structures
Friday, October 10, 2025
Penn College Baja team competes in South Carolina
Monday, September 29, 2025
Alumnus’ gift leads to new student opportunities at Penn College
Study Abroad
Gain global experience
See the world via Williamsport. Take your education abroad and get hands-on experience learning about your industry on a global scale.
More Information
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.
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.
View the Industrial Design Tool List
Program supplies and books are available for purchase through The College Store.
Alternative Credit refers to academic credits earned through means other than traditional college course completion, including: credit by exam, articulation, proof of competency gained in high school, work/life experience, and advanced placement.
Visit the Alternative Credit Options page for requirements and procedures and for information on credit through Advanced Placement.
- Dr. John H Bailey, Jr., M.D., Orthopaedic Surgeon, UPMC Susquehanna
- Mr. Phillip J Black, Vice President, EOS Energy Storage
- Mr. Paul W Boxmeyer, Director, Lycoming Robotics Learning Resource Lab
- Mr. Dan Doorley, President, EDGE
- Mr. Jeff Feeman, '13, Production Design, Sight & Sound Theatres
- Dr. Joetta Gobell, Director, Research, Frank N. Magid Assoc., Inc.
- Ms. Anna L Griffith, CEO & Co-Founder, Discovery Machine Inc.
- Ms. Nina Hadden, '19, Design Engineer, Transport Custom Designs
- Mr. Douglas R Miller, Sr., Vice President, Toy, Asia, Kids II
- Ms. Georgene Rada, VP Product Development/Design Travelgoods, US Luggage/Briggs & Riley Travelware