The Product Design Minor offers students the opportunity to develop basic skills utilized in a variety of consumer product related industries through studio courses in Visual Communication, Digital Design, prototype and model making techniques related to industry applications. Communication of these creative concepts through thoughtful execution of projects displays student abilities in an organized body of work. Product Design minors will not be assigned a desk in the Product Design department, but they may work at the common work tables in the studios. They may also participate in the Product Design Department's senior show on a case-by-case basis with approval from the Department Chair.
Eligibility
The Product Design minor is open to students majoring in Animation, Game and Entertainment Design, Fashion Design, Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Illustration, and Toy Design. Because of their curricular requirements Environmental Design majors will only be approved to enroll on a case-by-case basis. Students must be on track in their major and in good academic standing, with no more than 6 credits behind and a cumulative GPA of 2.0.
Product Design minors will not be assigned a desk in the Product Design department, but they may work at the common work tables in the studios. They may also participate in the Product Design Department’s Senior Exhibition on a case-by-case with approval from the Department Chair.
Requirements
Students select courses based on guidance from the Director of Interdisciplinary Studies, Minor Area Heads and Academic Advisors and must follow prerequisites when applicable. Can be 5 studio courses or 4 studio courses + 1 LAS course. For the full list of courses that will count for this minor, along with recommended courses to take first, see the Minors Course Lists on the Registration page of the Dashboard (my.otis.edu). Students are advised to take minor classes in place of studio electives (or in place of one LAS elective), or for majors without electives by taking one extra class in each of 5 semesters spread out between sophomore and senior year.
Course Descriptions are listed in the Product Design and Liberal Arts and Sciences sections of the Course Catalog and the Academic Advising Nest.
Download the following PDF to see how the Product Design Minor fits into your chosen major:
For students who entered Otis College as Foundation students in 2021-22 (class of
2025):
Product Design Minor Academic Plan 21-22
For students who entered Otis College as Foundation students in 2022-23 (class of
2026):
Product Design Minor Info Sheet 2022-23 (see Degree Works for Academic Plans)
For students who entered Otis College as Foundation students in 2023-24 (class of
2027):
Product Design Minor Info Sheet 2023-24 (see Degree Works for Academic Plans)
For students who entered Otis College as Foundation students in 2024-25 (class of
2028):
Product Design Minor Info Sheet 2024-25 (see Degree Works for Academic Plans)
Learn more about Interdisciplinary Studies, eligibility requirements, and the application process.
For more info about the Product Design Minor contact Minor Area Head, Jonathan Fidler