Academy of Art University, located in San Francisco, offers both a bachelor's and master's degree in industrial design. The School of Industrial Design Bachelor of Fine Arts program aims to prepare students for placement in top companies by organizing workshops and industry events, employing professors that work in the industry, using the most up-to-date technical software in instruction and requiring a body of work to be used as a portfolio after graduation. The Master of Arts program is aimed at specialization within the field and includes concentrations in furniture design, product design and transportation. The university also offers both the master's and bachelor's programs online.
California State University Long Beach's College of Arts offers a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design. The program focuses on historical knowledge, materialization and visualization of ideas, techniques and practical experience through internships. Students wishing to enter the program must pass a mid-degree portfolio review at the beginning of the junior year before continuing on to the upper-division coursework. The university has a number of resources for students including state-of-the-art computer labs and software, a materials resource library, a wood shop and a metal and plastics lab.
San Jose State University is located in the Silicon Valley where many of the most innovative industrial designers today live and work.The proximity of the university to companies like Apple, Hewlett-Packard and Tesla Motors give students an advantage as many of the program's alumni work at local companies. The university offers a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design and emphasizes the creative process, aesthetic theory and experience with professional practices. Students must pass an annual portfolio review before continuing on to the next level of coursework.
The California College of the Arts is located in San Francisco and offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Industrial Design. The program exposes students to all aspects of the design process including drawing, model making and computer-aided design. The school offers technologically advanced resource labs for students including a new materials resource center that provides exposure to ecofriendly and alternative materials. Students are encouraged to complete an internship during the course of study and many display their work at local and international trade shows.
The Art Institute of California - Hollywood in North Hollywood and the Art Institute of California- Orange County in Santa Ana each offer a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design. The Art Institute programs teach students to develop creative ideas and combine them with technical knowhow. The programs focus on fostering student's creativity, critical thinking skills and promoting innovation. The schools provides students with the latest in industry technology, materials and computer software.