Department of Applied Design

Mission Statement

The Department of Applied Design is dedicated to fostering excellence in design education, design research, and professional placement. The department balances theoretical and pragmatic approaches while exploring an awareness of impact of design decisions on the global community. Sustainability and ethical responsibility are integrated as part of a holistic approach to creative problem solving. The mission is to provoke an educational foundation that prepares students to enter the design profession and become leaders in the design community. We accomplish this mission by:

• delivering adaptive and innovative educational programs
• providing excellent instruction along with challenging and stimulating studio experiences
• hosting professional guest speakers
• enriching the studio experience with real community connection and sponsored projects
• providing exposure to professional design fields through national and international opportunities
• integrating environmental responsibility in design throughout the curriculum

This will enable students to succeed in the global workforce as practicing design professionals or to pursue advanced design education.

Facilities

The Department of Applied Design is housed in Katherine Harper Hall with the majority of Apparel Design and Merchandising courses held in the Reich College of Education building. Each program has multiple dedicated studios, access to material exploration facilities including digital manufacturing and computer labs. The labs are outfitted with many of the tools, computers and programs our students need to be successful in their academic careers. 

Apparel Design and Merchandising

The Apparel Design and Merchandising program focus on both apparel and textiles with emphasis on both design and merchandising. Students experience excellent instruction, stimulating and challenging lab experiences, and additional guest speakers and projects through Appalachian Fashion Group, our student organization. Students especially enjoy and learn from field study trips to the New York City fashion district and the Atlanta Merchandise Mart. Contacts developed through such experiences open opportunities for internships as well as permanent employment.

Common career positions include apparel or textile design, production, buying and selling merchandise, distribution of merchandise to the consumer, fashion coordination, fashion promotion, fashion editing, consumer affairs, and related activities to carry out these functions. Skills in public relations, business management, design and aesthetic appreciation are essential

If you would like to see our student designs, consider visiting us for the fashion Showcase, produced the last weekend of each spring semester.  [Program Information]

Industrial Design

Students in the Industrial Design Program can choose from two areas of concentration; Product Design or Furniture Design. Both concentrations focus on design inquiry, creative problem-solving, user research, social and environmental concerns, and manufacturing requirements. Through industry collaborations and studio projects, students are challenged to develop a comprehensive knowledge base allowing them to compete professionally. Student work has been recognized and shown at; SaloneSatellite in Milan, Italy, Greener Gadgets finalists, Dwell® on Design, Designboom® Mart participants in Copenhagen, High Point Furniture Market, ICFF and won the national Creative Juice Completion sponsored by Google®.  [Program Information]

Interior Design

The interior design program is a four‐year, professional degree program that leads to a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design Degree.

The interior design program is a four‐year, professional degree program that leads to a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design Degree. Our curriculum provides an educational foundation that prepares students to enter the interior design profession and positions the student to seek professional status through the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam as well as state‐specific licensure. The program combines lecture and studio courses and is balance of theoretical and pragmatic approaches. Environmental responsibility in design is a focus of the program and is woven holistically throughout the curriculum. The program is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) and by National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).  [Program Information]