Product Design

pd.uoregon.edu

Kiersten Muenchinger, Program Director
541-346-6697
277A Lawrence Hall
5282 University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon 97403-5232

The Product Design Program rigorously explores the invention, production, and use of products. It integrates the theories and applied practices in the design, art, and architecture disciplines, creating collaborative opportunities across campus with the business school and the anthropology and chemistry departments. The critical research and design work produced by students and faculty members has an impact on both the local and international design communities.

The program exposes and expands on the significance of materials in products, helping students develop an understanding of how aspects of sustainability and ergonomics, tactile and visual aesthetics, and structural integrity can influence their choices in materials.

Program Overview

The program offers a bachelor of arts (BA) or bachelor of science (BS) degree in material and product studies on the Eugene campus, and a bachelor of fine arts (BFA) degree in product design in Portland. The degrees in material and product studies are four-year liberal arts programs designed to prepare students for the BFA program in product design. Students enrolled in either material and product studies degree option share a foundation in design, graphics, drawing, and art history with majors in both architecture and art.

Eugene

Students studying for the bachelor’s degree in material and product studies are well-equipped with computer and digital-imaging labs, new digital computer-controlled mill, laser cutter, wood shop, digital loom, metals and ceramics shops, large-format printing facility, and other specialized art studios in Lawrence Hall and the Northsite studio complex. The Eugene campus has strong undergraduate and graduate degree programs in architecture, art, ceramics, digital arts, fibers, interior architecture, metalsmithing and jewelry, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. In addition, students have access to other university resources, such as the architecture and allied arts and main libraries, Student Recreation Center, Erb Memorial Union, and Craft Center.

Portland

Students pursuing the fifth-year product design BFA degree work at the university’s new facility in Portland’s Old Town Historic District. The White Stag Block houses studio facilities, digital fusion laboratory, classrooms, library, exhibit and research spaces, and work areas for students and faculty members. An integrated shop and an output center for two- and three-dimensional computer numerical controlled production are available. Product design students benefit by interacting with students of other professional disciplines, such as digital arts and architecture. An internship component of the BFA program gives students access to design professionals and direct experience at leading Northwest design companies.

Preparation

High school and college students interested in product design should prepare themselves by taking courses in the following subjects:

• Fine arts and design (e.g., drawing, painting, sculpture, two- and three-dimensional design, fiber arts, metal arts, ceramics, drafting, art history, architecture, furniture or interior design)
• Social sciences (e.g., sociology, psychology, cultural anthropology)
• Sciences and mathematics (e.g., physics, algebra, geometry)
• Humanities (e.g., literature, writing)

To better understand the professional field, prospective students may plan to visit and discuss opportunities with local designers and firms practicing product design.

Product design students are required to own a laptop computer. If students purchase recommended equipment, they are eligible for technical support from our computing staff. Recommended systems are listed on the program’s website. Purchase of a digital camera to record studio work and use for classroom assignments is strongly advised.

Faculty

John Arndt, assistant professor (product design). BFA, 1997, Alfred; MDes, 2006, Design Academy Eindhoven. (2008)

Wonhee Jeong Arndt, assistant professor. BFA, 2002, Kookmin; MDes, 2006, Design Academy Eindhoven. (2014)

Trygve Faste, assistant professor (product design). BA, 1997, Whitman College; MFA, 2004, Cranbrook Academy of Art. (2010)

Jason O. Germany, assistant professor (product design). BS, 1999, Montana State; MFA, 2010, Washington (Seattle). (2010)

Kiersten Muenchinger, Tim and Mary Boyle Chair in Material and Product Studies; associate professor (product design). BA, 1993, Dartmouth College; MS, 1998, Stanford. (2008)

The date in parentheses at the end of each entry is the first year on the University of Oregon faculty.

• Bachelor of Arts in Material and Product Studies
• Bachelor of Science in Material and Product Studies
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Product Design

Undergraduate Studies

Application for Product Design Major

The major in product design is an intensive, limited-enrollment program. Acceptance is competitive and based on documented evidence of potential to excel in the field. Admission screening takes place once a year and requires review of a portfolio of visual materials submitted by each applicant. These portfolios should display promise and creativity, but need not demonstrate extensive experience in design or product-related projects. Applications that don’t include visual materials are not reviewed.

Students apply directly to the Product Design Program for admission as majors. The postmark deadline for applications is January 15 for fall term admission. Visit the program website for the application form and instructions.

BFA Application

Admission to the bachelor of fine arts program requires an application that includes a portfolio review of the student’s work, usually in the last term of the fourth year of study. Students who have completed a comparable four-year degree in material and product studies at another institution may be admitted to the fifth-year BFA program. Such BFA candidates must satisfy the university’s 45-credit residence requirement. Students accepted to the BFA program from schools other than the University of Oregon should speak with an advisor to determine how their credits will transfer. Prerequisites may require the student to spend more than one year in the program.

Bachelor of Arts in Material and Product Studies Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 180 credits, which include general-university requirements for a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree.

Core Courses
ART 115	Surface, Space, and Time	4
ART 116	Core Interdisciplinary Laboratory	4
IARC 204	Understanding Contemporary Interiors	4
PD 223	Beginning Design Drawing	4
PD 240	Designers' Tools	4
ARTD 250	Print Media Digital Arts	4
ARH 358	History of Design	4
Select one of the following:		4
Product design studio course (PD)
Ceramics studio course (ARTC)
Fibers studio course (ARTF)
Metalsmithing and jewelry studio course (ARTM)
Sculpture studio course (ARTS)
Art history course		4
Upper-Division Studio Courses
PD 301	Introduction to Design Studio	4
PD 323	Design Drawing	4
PD 340	Design for Use	4
PD 350	Objects and Impacts	4
PD 370	Design Process	4
PD 430	Computer-Assisted Design and Production	4
IARC 447	Color Theory and Application for the Built Environment	3
or ARTP 281	Introductory Painting I
PD 483	Senior Studio I	4
PD 484	Senior Studio II	4
PD 485	Senior Studio III	4
Select five of the following studio electives: 1, 2		20
Product design electives (PD)
Art electives (ART)
Ceramics electives (ARTC)
Fibers electives (ARTF)
Interior architecture electives (IARC)
Metalsmithing and jewelry electives (ARTM)
Sculpture electives (ARTS)
Other Requirements
BA 101	Introduction to Business	4
ANTH 161	Introduction to Cultural Anthropology	4
BA 317	Marketing: Creating Value for Customers	4
Total Credits		107

1	With product design advisor approval, students may select electives from any studio course taught in the School of Architecture and Allied Arts. Students are welcome to propose studio courses from outside the school to fulfill product design electives, although they require approval by the advisor.
2	Electives must be 300- or 400-level courses.

Bachelor of Science in Material and Product Studies Requirements

Core Courses
ART 115	Surface, Space, and Time	4
ART 116	Core Interdisciplinary Laboratory	4
IARC 204	Understanding Contemporary Interiors	4
PD 223	Beginning Design Drawing	4
PD 240	Designers' Tools	4
ARTD 250	Print Media Digital Arts	4
ARH 358	History of Design	4
Select one of the following:		4
Product design studio course (PD)
Ceramics studio course (ARTC)
Fibers studio course (ARTF)
Metalsmithing and jewelry studio course (ARTM)
Sculpture studio course (ARTS)
Art history course		4
Upper-Division Studio Courses
PD 301	Introduction to Design Studio	4
PD 323	Design Drawing	4
PD 340	Design for Use	4
PD 350	Objects and Impacts	4
PD 370	Design Process	4
PD 430	Computer-Assisted Design and Production	4
IARC 447	Color Theory and Application for the Built Environment	3
or ARTP 281	Introductory Painting I
PD 483	Senior Studio I	4
PD 484	Senior Studio II	4
PD 485	Senior Studio III	4
Select five of the following studio electives: 1, 2		20
Product design electives (PD)
Art electives (ART)
Ceramics electives (ARTC)
Fibers electives (ARTF)
Interior architecture electives (IARC)
Metalsmithing and jewelry electives (ARTM)
Sculpture electives (ARTS)
Other Requirements
BA 101	Introduction to Business	4
ANTH 161	Introduction to Cultural Anthropology	4
BA 317	Marketing: Creating Value for Customers	4
Total Credits		107

1	With product design advisor approval, students may select electives from any studio course taught in the School of Architecture and Allied Arts. Students are welcome to propose studio courses from outside the school to fulfill product design electives, although they require approval by the advisor.
2	Electives must be 300- or 400-level courses.

BFA Product Design Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 220 credits, including requirements for the bachelor or arts or bachelor of science in material and product studies or its equivalent.

Three art history courses (ARH)		12
PD 404	Internship: [Topic]	12
PD 486–488	BFA Studio I-III	18
Total Credits		42