Bachelor of Science in Transportation Design
The union of design & technology gives our graduates an edge and prepares them for the real world.
Drive the Future with Intelligent Design
LTU offers an in-depth university experience which enables exposure to technological advances as sources of inspiration, leading to more creative and provocative design solutions. The fusion of design and technology offers you the kind of experience that automotive graduates from other programs can take years to acquire on the job.
You will learn to use the latest in digital surface tools, visualization tools, and fabrication technologies. This will give you an edge in competing for top-level design positions.
Real World Experience & Interaction with Industry
LTU is in the heart of the automotive industry with close proximity to automotive design studios and suppliers. Built around the University’s signature ‘theory and practice’ approach to learning, the Bachelor of Science in Transportation Design combines in-depth conceptual investigation with exposure to industry professionals through real-world sponsored projects, internships, and visiting professionals. Our teaching staff is made of successful design professionals with decades of experience. Many are LTU graduates who are currently working in the industry to bring the current practice and perspective into the classroom.
Careers include Creative Designer, Brand Designer, Digital Sculptor, Clay Sculptor, UX/UI Designer, Color-Materials-Finishes Designer, Automotive Badging Designer.
Ian
Broekman
B.S. in Transportation Design, 2018
Ian Broekman is a co-founder at Mil-Spec Automotive based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Ian, along with his team, specialize in creating off-road packages for vehicles like the Hummer H1 or Ford F-150 with a focus on design. Mil-Spec’s products have become internationally recognized by media, fans, and clients for their attention to detail. Ian is deeply passionate about all things cars, motorcycles, and architecture.
Q: Tell us a little bit about your background.
A: Growing up in Dearborn, Michigan, I was immersed in car culture throughout my childhood. I used to ride my bike past the Ford Product Development Center with the hopes of catching a glimpse of prototypes to sketch back at home. I developed a passion for the automotive industry, particularly design.
Q: Why did you choose to attend LTU?
A: I chose LTU due to its balanced design curriculum. From the beginning, it was clear to me that I would learn not only visual communication, but the tools to make an impact throughout a product’s development. LTU’s focus on not only design, but engineering principles, drew me in.
Q: For those who might be interested in the Transportation Design program, do you have any advice?
A: It is difficult to share advice due to everyone’s unique set of circumstances. One piece of advice that I may lend, however, would be focus on work/life balance. You are choosing a career centered around passion, focus on staying inspired while finding your own workflow. It’s a marathon, not a race!
Tamila
Abuseridze
BFA in Transportation Design, 2017
Tamila is a Digital Surface Modeler at Volvo & MACK Trucks North America. Previously, Tamila has worked for Volkswagen. GM, KIA, and FCA. Recently, Tamila applied her expertise in digital modeling on HabaNiro - a concept car named unveiled by KIA in 2018 in the New York and Los Angeles motor shows.
.JPG)
.JPG)
Q: Tell us a little about your background.
A: I am originally from Moscow, Russia. But I spent almost two years in Germany, five years in Michigan, year in California and almost a year in North Carolina, besides all other shorter traveling along the way. Aside from a love of travel, I am an avid artist – a skill I worked to develop at a very young age.
Q: What made you choose to attend Lawrence Tech?
A: Lawrence Tech provides a lot of opportunities for students, including sponsored studios, internships, generous scholarships, and design competitions. I also loved that LTU is an engineering and technological school.
Q: For those who might be interested in the Transportation Design program, do you have any advice?
A: First, as a creative mind, you have to be creative, open minded and flexible in your beliefs and personal life, too. Creativity doesn’t have to stop, when you leave your work every day. Second, find a place to study that will allow you to discover the industry. Design is an applied field. Its about customer needs, current technology and a business – not you. We sketch to manufacture, not just to sketch. So if industry needs every designer to know how to model to execute designs and profit from it faster – go for it and offer these skills. That’s how you will be demand on the job market and needed. Stay up to date, learn and be flexible.
.jpg)
Admissions + Curriculum
Admission into the Transportation Design program follows the University’s admission criteria. Portfolios are not required for admission.
For specific Transportation Design program questions contact, the Chair of Art and Design, Philip Plowright, at pplowright@ltu.edu or the Co-Directors of Transportation Design, Peter Davis at pdavis@ltu.edu or Elizabeth Wetzel at ewetzel@ltu.edu.
For general questions about admissions, our programs or the college, please contact Alice McHard at amchard@ltu.edu, 248.204.2835 or click on the links below.
Total Semester Credit Hours: 124
First Semester
First Semester
First Semester
Second Semester
First Semester
