Today, there are around 20 million college students in the United States. Of that, only a small fraction is studying industrial design. As of this writing, IDSA’s current (admittedly unscientific) estimate has that number to be anywhere between 10,000 and 15,000 (based on anecdotal sources and extrapolations of existing student membership data). Regardless of size, it is this small group of creative and increasingly diverse minds who will eventually become professional designers and will be responsible for creating some of the great innovations of our future.
What is being taught? How is it being taught? Who is teaching it?
In this issue we feature educators who are pioneering new models of industrial design higher education across three spectrums: (1) expanding how industrial design is taught, (2) introducing new pedagogies or learning experiences, and (3) best preparing students for their life as a practicing designer.
