Future-Proof Majors in Design

Do you like making and creating? Have you got a keen eye for design? Then check out these majors! Here are four human-centered fields, making them great choices for degree studies if you’re looking for a future-proof career. 

Industrial Design

According to the University of Notre Dame, “If architects design the house, then industrial designers design everything inside.” This creative and technical discipline is behind nearly every product people use in daily life. However, it goes beyond aesthetics; industrial designers consider how an object looks, feels, and functions, as well as how it will be produced, used, and even disposed of. Industrial designers bridge art, engineering, and human behavior to create solutions that are not only visually appealing but also intuitive and sustainable. Every item in your home, from the chair you sit on to the phone you’re holding, represents numerous design decisions intended to make everyday experiences smoother and more enjoyable. If designing to address special needs appeals to you, this is a valuable point to share when applying for this degree and the others described below. 

Design Engineering 

Design Engineering is all about making and bringing ideas to life by blending the precision of engineering with the creativity of modern design. A degree in this field will train you to turn your ideas into tangible, impactful solutions through skills in computer-aided design, prototyping, sustainability, and human-centered thinking. You’ll learn how to design and test products that address real-world needs, drawing on subjects like mechanics, electronics, and data science. Students also work with tools like  3D printers, laser cutters, and even hand tools. Collaborative projects in makerspaces, fabrication labs, and prototyping workshops are common in this hands-on, innovative field. In the past, a portfolio was not always required of applicants, but universities now ask for them more frequently. If a university says it is optional, that effectively means ‘required.’ 

Industrial Engineering  

This field of engineering focuses on designing, improving, and optimizing complex systems, especially those involving people, machines, materials, information, and energy. It blends engineering principles with business practices and data analysis to make processes more efficient, cost-effective, and user-friendly. It is less focused on building physical products and more about improving how things work, whether that’s a factory, hospital, airport, or software company. It has a strong interdisciplinary character, bridging technical engineering knowledge with management, economics, and social sciences. Industrial engineers often work in consulting, manufacturing, healthcare, finance, logistics, and technology.

Product Design 

Product design students show their thinking through objects rather than essays, and often work with real-world companies. The field involves product creation, so creative skills are essential, but students also think about the target market and related business issues. The degree can be a Bachelor of Science or Arts in this multidisciplinary field, where students focus on developing and refining physical or digital products to be user-friendly, aesthetically pleasing, and ready for the market. It combines elements of engineering, industrial design, human-centered design, and business strategy. Courses in product design are less strict on math and science requirements compared to design and industrial engineering programs, although these subjects certainly could be preferred or required by a specific university.

Prerequisite Subject Guide

Be sure to check specific requirements for each university
Mathematics (incl. Calculus)	Essential for Industrial Engineering and Design Engineering; may be preferred for Industrial and Product Design
Physics	Required or strongly recommended for Industrial Engineering and Design Engineering
Art/Design Technology	Important for Industrial Design and Product Design, and a valuable  addition for Industrial or Design Engineering
Computer Science	Helpful for computer-aided design (CAD) and digital tools across all four, especially Design Engineering
Portfolio (of design work)	Usually required for Industrial Design & Product Design degrees

To start your search for degree programs, look at UAL in London or Lund University in Sweden, which have good programs in Industrial Design and Product Design. For Industrial Design and Industrial Engineering, check out Georgia Tech’s degrees or Notre Dame’s Industrial Design program in the College of Arts and Letters. Imperial College London has a highly regarded Design Engineering course, as do Loughborough University in the UK and Northwestern University in the USA. For help with career guidance or selecting your course or major, contact info@ivyoptions.com for more information.