Interactive Product Studio I at Georgia Institute of Technology supports students in developing essential skills in product design, with guidance on softwares including CAD and 3D printing.

The Interactive Product Studio I is a third year studio course. It focuses on equipping students with the skills and knowledge to bring together product design practice, user experience, and technological understanding in the creation of novel products which exhibit compelling interaction, technological feasibility, human centred form development, and considerations of materials and manufacturing.

Students work as both individuals and as part of a team to produce cohesive work but also champion their ideas in a group setting using written, 2D, and 3D design artefacts.

Students develop future forward consumer electronics centred in various topic areas and markets, creating everything from portable audio devices to breakfast preparation machines.

Utilising high detailed CAD, 3D printing, thermoforming, functional electronics integration, and high levels of finish and paint, students create high resolution physical models of their designs which demonstrate realistic aspects of interaction.

In addition to learning the hard skills of design, students also learn to present their work in a professional and organised manner.

They develop skills discussing, reflecting, critiquing and presenting physical models and sketches in the form of pinups as well as creating digital presentations and video content focused on storytelling and creating an emotional impact from their designs.

School: Georgia Institute of Technology
Course: Interactive Product Studio I
Type: Undergraduate
Location: Georgia, Atlanta, USA
Course dates: August to December, offered annually
Application deadline: 5 January 2027

Find out more about the course and apply ›

What will I learn during this course?

– Apply a range of design processes to address open ended problems
– Apply research methodologies to gather information throughout the design process
– Generate a diverse set of concepts
– Develop detailed designs which represent finished products
– Perform tests on fabricated prototypes
– Refine the details of design to consider use, materials, manufacturer, sustainability and accessibility
– Develop product designs that are convincing, compelling and characterful
– Plan a project through to completion encompassing research, design, fabrication and testing
– Produce work as a team that is cohesive
– Champion your ideas in a team setting through the use of written, 2D and 3D design artefacts
– Generate written proposals for projects and concepts
– Present, explain and justify concepts, designs and decisions through writings and visuals in a professional manner

What are the requirements?

Students must have completed the second year studio curriculum.

What facilities and resources are available?

– Students are each given a desk within the studio space. Each team receives a whiteboard and space to pinup work
– Students have access to 3D printing, laser cutting and a fully equipped design shop in the building
– Students have access to the Interactive Product Design Lab (IPDL)
– The space is equipped with a variety of tools and equipment for electronics prototyping
– The IPDL also checks out a variety of sensors, cameras, projectors and other equipment to support the design process

What career prospects can I expect upon graduating?

Graduates of this course are well positioned for careers in consumer electronics design, user experience design for physical products, product research and development and innovation focused roles related products which combine the physical and digital.

Who teaches this course?

– Noah Posner, senior research scientist of The Institute for People and Technology at the Georgia Institute of Technology

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