Product Design at the College for Creative Studies
The Product Design course at the College for Creative Studies empowers students to connect with industry partners and collaborative studios.
Course details
School: College for Creative Studies
Course: Product Design
Type: Undergraduate
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Course dates: September 2027 to May 2028
Application deadline: February 2027
Course overview
From performance footwear and smart tech to life-saving medical devices, the College for Creative Studies (CCS)’s Bachelor of Fine Arts in Product Design programme empowers creative problem-solvers to turn bold ideas into meaningful, beautiful and functional human experiences.
Product designers create consumer products and experiences that enrich and impact every aspect of life, from the shoes students wear to life-saving medical devices and everything in between.
Located in Detroit, the first and only UNESCO City of Design in the US, CCS students have access to real-world industry partnerships and collaborative studio projects.
Students gain hands-on experience, forge professional networks and draw inspiration from a city built on innovation. In the CCS Product Design programme, students learn to become trendsetters and expand the limits of style and form.
They acquire the skills it takes to solve complex problems by using critical thinking skills and interdisciplinary approaches that give them the power to change the world.
What will I learn during this course?
Students learn to become trendsetters and expand the limits of style and form. They acquire the skills to solve complex problems by using critical thinking skills and interdisciplinary approaches.
What are the requirements?
You can apply directly through CCS’s free, native application portal or add CCS to your common app.
If they choose, students may submit a portfolio that includes 5–12 pieces of their strongest visual artwork in any medium.
Work does not need to relate to the intended major. Applicants with a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher (first-year) or 2.5 GPA or higher (transfer) are eligible for admission based on GPA alone.
Applicants with a cumulative GPA below these averages will be required to submit a portfolio for admission consideration.
Students seeking to transfer studio course credit from another college-level programme may need to provide a set of work examples for review. Your admissions counsellor will let you know what is needed after you are admitted.
Provide official high school or college transcripts or mark sheets, along with a certified English translation if the original documents are not in English. Full admissions requirements can be found on the CCS website.
What facilities and resources are available?
CCS has some of the best facilities for all students to use, including:
- 24-hour studio spaces
- industry-level technology and equipment
- a state-of-the-art foundry
- shops and material libraries
- a model shop with fabrication facilities
- a rapid prototyping studio with 3D printers
- CNC five-axis mills
- laser cutters
- a car-sized ventilated spray booth
What career prospects can I expect upon graduating?
Students can have possible careers in the following fields:
- consumer electronics designer
- footwear and athletic equipment designer
- furniture designer
- tools and equipment designer
- ux/ui designer
- accessories designer
- colour and materials designer
- exhibit designer
- independent design consultant
- market and trend forecaster
- medical equipment designer
- visualisation designer
- 3d modeller
- product designer
- industrial designer
- appliance designer
- automotive designer
- market researcher
- recreation equipment designer
- toy designer
- trend forecaster
- virtual reality designer
- watercraft designer
Who teaches this course?
Greg Darby, chair of product design and human-centered robotics design.
