When we hear the term “industrial,” we tend to think of engineers; when we hear the term “design,” we tend to think of artists. Companies all over the world have recognized that the design aspect of a product holds as much integrity as the product itself. Community College of Denver (CCD) is offering an Associate of Arts in Industrial Design starting this fall. 

In partnership with Metro State University Denver (MSU Denver), graduates can seamlessly transfer to a top 100 ranked public university to receive their Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design within two additional years. Through an inter-institutional agreement, students in this pathway will take industrial design courses at MSU Denver while maintaining their CCD enrollment status.

Where Form Meets Function 

Industrial Designers live in a world where functionality and ascetics blend rather than being two separate things. CCD’s Industrial Design program allows students to learn the foundational skills to succeed including product design, prototyping, and materials exploration. Art and design are used to create an emotional response, and with a degree in Industrial Design, creativity shines in a multitude of ways. 

User-Centered Design at the Forefront

According to a study by the Design Management Institute, design-driven companies outperformed the S&P 500 by 219% over a 10-year period. Industrial designers are the ones who figure out what users want before they know they want it using the knowledge of user-centered design obtained with a degree from CCD. After all, we live in a consumer driven market.

Sustainability in the Field 

More than ever before, companies are focusing on sustainability and how to lower their environmental impact through sustainable manufacturing. That is where industrial designers come into play. CCD’s program brings this into practice with teaching graduates about a number of factors such as: 

• Select environmentally responsible materials
• Design for product longevity and repairability
• Minimize waste in production processes
• Create products with end-of-life considerations built in

Today’s consumers want something that is ethically created and nice to look at. Creating something that is pleasing to the eye without compromising practicality or sustainability is what makes industrial designers so valuable. 

Industry Versatility 

There are endless opportunities in the field of industrial design, making it a heavily versatile and sought after degree. CCD graduates who choose to continue their educational journey on to their bachelor’s will go on to start careers in a vast array of subsectors, including: 

• Consumer electronics manufacturing
• Automotive and transportation industries
• Furniture and home goods production
• Medical device development
• Packaging design
• Sports equipment manufacturing
• Industrial equipment and tooling
• Augmented (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) manufacturing

In 2025, some of the most promising career paths in the field feature:

• Sustainable Product Designer
• Medical Device Designer
• AR/VR Hardware Designer
• Autonomous Vehicle Interior Designer
• Robotics Industrial Designer
• Design Researcher/Strategist
• Packaging Designer
• UX Focused Industrial Designer

Take the next step in designing the future you deserve and start building a creative, fulfilling career path in Industrial Design at Community College of Denver!