<p>I am considering applying to an architecture program but am not sure about the differences between Architecture and Industrial Design. Could some one please clarify? </p>
<p>Also, what other similar majors are there?</p>
<p>I’m sure you could find the difference anywhere if you gave it ten minutes. I can tell you that those two aren’t that closely related… sort of weird to compare them really. Architecture is much more competitive and rigorous and involves large scale projects that are usually associated with buildings and other structures. Industrial design is on a smaller scale, usually with lower pay. Industrial designers could design anything from a toilet handle to a new BMW.</p>
<p>Architecture is pretty straightforward. It is the design of buildings and cities. Industrial design is a much broader field which can involve the design of anything form consumer goods to the process of setting up security at an airport. </p>
<p>Architecture is very clearly defined by the state boards and national registration boards. All schools must be accredited, leading to a fair conformity in the study of architecture. People describe some schools as being more design or technically oriented, but they all have to have the same number of design and technical courses. </p>
<p>Industrial design is pretty much whatever anyone wants to make it. It ranges from a very process focused approach such as at Stanford, to a purely visual/artistic approach at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena (where many of today’s car designers come from). I would look at these two sites for a view of two firms who practice each at a very high level;</p>
<p>[www.SOM.com</a> | Splash](<a href=“http://www.som.com%5Dwww.SOM.com”>http://www.som.com)
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<p>I have no idea who makes more money.</p>
<p>rick</p>
<p>Thank you for the help! I at first too thought they were pretty different majors entirely, but then a friend of my sister who was an industrial designer claimed that they could even design buildings if they wanted.</p>
<p>lol they CAN design buildings, but without accredidation, they’re going to need an architect or somebody else with accredidation to check that the design is possible, safe, etc. the thing about industrial design is that you CAN design a lot of different things, but you’ll probably end up in a company designing one thing. At my mother’s old company, industrial designers spent day and night designing telephones… fun right?</p>