Industrial Design

The Certificate of Achievement in Industrial Design prepares students for entry-level positions inthe field or related field in industrial design. Students learn foundational skills in problemsolving, concepting, iterative prototyping, and acquire proficiency with the range of technology

platforms. Through research and critical thinking, students apply such skills to address user experience, functionality/usability, and aesthetic form. Upon completing and earning a Certificate of Achievement in Industrial Design, students possess a portfolio that facilitates their

transition to internships, freelance or contract opportunities, or potential employment as Model Makers, Visual Designers, or CAD modelers/drafters. Students will be much more competitive if they already have a Bachelor's degree.

Enrollment & Completer Projections

West Valley College projects steady and sustainable enrollment growth for the proposed Industrial Design Certificate and Associate Degree programs, aligned with regional workforce demand and institutional capacity.

In the program’s initial launch phase, the college anticipates enrolling approximately 20–25 students in Year 1, drawing from existing feeder pathways including Art, Digital Media, MakerSpace programming, Engineering, and Entrepreneurship coursework, as well as incumbent workers seeking reskilling opportunities.

As program awareness, industry partnerships, and work-based learning opportunities expand, enrollment is projected to grow to 35–45 students annually by Years 3–5.

Based on course sequencing, retention patterns in comparable design and CTE programs, and embedded academic and career supports, the college projects the following annual completer outcomes:

• Certificate Completers: 12–18 students annually by Year 3

• Associate Degree Completers: 8–12 students annually by Year 3

Longer term, with full program maturity and strengthened employer pipelines, total annual completers (certificate + degree) are projected to reach 35-45 students per year.

These projections are supported by strong regional labor market demand, cross-disciplinary recruitment, dual enrollment interest, and integration of internships and portfolio-based capstone experiences that support persistence and completion.

Program Goals and Objectives

The Certificate in Industrial Design is to prepare students for entry-level positions in the field, related field, and/or to increase their knowledge base in an existing career field related to design.

Students completing the certificate will have demonstrated skills in the concepting, CAD, and prototyping of product and user experience related

solutions. They will have a portfolio that can help gain entry level positions in product design (internship, freelance, or contract positions) or

possible employment as a Model Maker, Visual Designer, or CAD modeler/drafter. The portfolio can also be the aspiring designer's professional tool for advancement.

The students learn foundation skills in problem solving, concepting, iterative prototyping, and acquiring proficiency with the range of technology

platforms used in industrial design. Students will conceptualize, develop, test, and prototype solutions. These solutions will have an emphasis on

user experience, functionality/usability, and aesthetic form using optimum parameters, accessibility standards, and human factors guidelines.

After completing the Certificate in Industrial Design, a student will be able to:

Aesthetically create and iterate on design concepts through sketching, hand rendering, CAD, and CAD rendering.

Demonstrate proficiency with the range of technology platforms used in industrial design.

Program Sequence Narrative: Industrial Design

The Industrial Design program is structured as a carefully sequenced, skill-building pathway totaling 24.5 units, designed to move students from foundational visualization and digital competencies to advanced manufacturing and design integration. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning, iterative design development, and industry-standard software proficiency.

In Year 1, Fall (9.5 units), students establish foundational creative and technical skills through Introduction to Adobe Creative Apps (GDES001), Beginning Drawing (ARTS031A), and SolidWorks for Industrial Design (IDES050). These courses introduce visual communication, digital design tools, and 3D modeling fundamentals, preparing students for applied design coursework.

In Year 1, Spring (9 units), students advance into core industrial design methodology with Visualization 1 for Industrial Design (IDES030), Design for Manufacturing I (IDES010), and Introduction to Materials (ENGR025). This semester integrates drawing and rendering techniques with material science and production processes, strengthening students’ ability to translate concepts into manufacturable designs.

In Year 2, Fall (6 units), students complete the advanced design sequence with Visualization 2 for Industrial Design (IDES040) and Design for Manufacturing II (IDES020). These courses build on prior competencies, emphasizing refinement of prototypes, advanced rendering, and applied production strategies aligned with industry standards.

The program includes thoughtful prerequisite and advisory relationships to support student success. ARTS031A (Beginning Drawing) is advisory for IDES030 (Visualization 1), and IDES030 is a prerequisite for IDES040 (Visualization 2) to ensure progressive skill development. IDES010 (Design for Manufacturing I) is advisory for IDES020 (Design for Manufacturing II). Additionally, IDES010 and IDES050, as well as GDES001 and IDES010, may be taken concurrently to provide flexibility while maintaining instructional coherence.

The suggested two-year sequence ensures students develop foundational artistic, digital, and technical skills before advancing to higher-level manufacturing and visualization coursework. This structured progression supports timely completion while preparing students for internships, entry-level employment, or continued study in industrial and product design fields.

Industrial Design (Total 24.5)

Complete all of the following

Program Requirements (Total 24.5)

Complete all of the following

ARTS031A - Beginning Drawing (Being Revised) 3.5

ENGR025 - Introduction to Materials 3

GDES001 - Adobe Creative Apps for Graphic Design 3

IDES010 - Manufacturing Design I (Being Revised) 3

IDES020 - Manufacturing Design II (Being Revised) 3

IDES030 - Visualization 1 for Industrial Design (In Creation) 3

IDES040 - Visualization 2 for Industrial Design (In Creation) 3

IDES050 - SolidWorks for Industrial Design 3

How Industrial Design fits in with the Master Plan of the College:

One of the main goals is 'to align efforts with industry through our advisory board'. The Industrial Design Program has connected with

industry professionals and formed an advisory board. Meetings were held and discussions were had in order to gain feedback and

alignment that the courses to be offered, and that they align with industry expectations and standards and that it would benefit the

students.

In addition, there is an ongoing effort to create pathways that prepare students for jobs within our region. Industrial Design students will

participate in the end of the year design expo, have their portfolios reviewed by industry professionals, and will participate in the Content

Magazine. Through professor connections, professionals will also be brought in for guest engagements so that students may have direct

access to industry professionals in Industrial Design.

High school outreach and articulation are ongoing initiatives in line with college’s mission.

Though many Bay Area community colleges offer various design programs (graphic design, UX design, interior design), a Certificate in Industrial

Design is less common. Only the following school(s) have a Certificate in Industrial Design in the Bay Area:  School of Art and Design Dean and Faculty reached out and did not get a reply.