Academic School/College: College of Design, School of Art + Design. This four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) program in Product Design begins with a "pre-major" phase, where students complete foundational courses in design, art, and liberal arts. Admission to the full Product Design major (upper-division) is selective and requires a separate application, typically in the sophomore year, which includes a portfolio review and meeting GPA requirements (e.g., 2.75 UO cumulative GPA and 3.0 in major courses). The curriculum focuses on understanding how designers invent products that are useful, energy-efficient, ergonomically appropriate, cost-effective, and socially responsible. It rigorously explores the invention, production, and use of products, integrating theories and applied practices from design, art, and architecture disciplines. Students gain in-depth knowledge of materials, idea generation, prototyping, computer-aided design (CAD), and various manufacturing methods. The program emphasizes hands-on learning through studio work, interdisciplinary projects, and collaborations with real-world clients. Students undertake the first three years of the BFA in Eugene and complete their final senior year at the University of Oregon's new facility in Portland, which offers direct access to design professionals and an internship component, strengthening career readiness. The College of Design is known for its unique multidisciplinary structure, blending creative practitioners with experts from various fields, and its dedication to civic responsibility, environmental sustainability, and international understanding.

Career options for graduates are robust in diverse industries that rely on product development and innovation. The University of Oregon is a leading public research university and the state's only member of the exclusive Association of American Universities (AAU), fostering high levels of student research involvement and industry connections. Graduates are prepared for roles such as: Product Designer, Industrial Designer, UX/UI Designer, Design Engineer, Design Researcher, Prototyper, Packaging Designer, and roles in manufacturing, creative consulting, and entrepreneurial ventures. Alumni have secured positions with prominent companies including Nike, Columbia Sportswear, American Girl, Tesla, Amazon, IBM, 72andSunny, and Walt Disney. The program's blend of theoretical knowledge, hands-on experience (including the required internship component), and exposure to cutting-edge facilities in both Eugene and Portland, provides graduates with a strong foundation to pursue professional careers or launch their own design-focused businesses.

The University of Oregon is a leading public research university, offering high levels of student research involvement and a dynamic academic environment. It is Oregon's only member of the exclusive Association of American Universities (AAU), recognizing its leadership in research, scholarship, and education. The College of Design has a unique multidisciplinary structure, blending creative practitioners with experts from various fields, and is dedicated to visual culture and the built, natural, and social environments through principles of civic responsibility, environmental sustainability, and international understanding. Furthermore, the university offers an unbeatable quality of life in Eugene, described as a top 50 "college town" on the West Coast, known for its outdoor activities and vibrant community. The program's senior year in Portland provides crucial access to leading design companies and internship opportunities in a major design hub.