Question in regards to graduate level Industrial Design programs?

[KuJo]

I'm currently going into my 3rd year of Mechanical Engineering, but am an artist at heart.

And I've been figuring that industrial design would let me take what I've learned in engineering in undergrad, and then use it along with my artistic side in ID.

My question is - does anyone know of any programs in particular that they'd recommend for ID that are welcoming of non-design undergrads?

So far Illinois Inst. of Tech and Georgia Tech are the only two I know of for sure that seem to cater to people in my position..

Any helpful information would be greatly appreciated, as well as any pointers on the type of things to include in a portfolio - while I'm not required to have one given my major, I'd still like to make one anyway, but am unsure of the sort of assignments / projects ID undergrads do - I figure such would be the best things to do to demonstrate my abilities :)

Thanks!

[Storyboard Dave]

Where were you planning on graduating from??

Were you planning on graduating with your Mechanical Engineering degree or were you going to transfer over to another school and getting an Industrial Design degree?

if you're interested in a solid ID program nearby in the Midwest, consider my alma mater & the place where I teach (although I teach in Illustration), the College for Creative Studies in Detroit (http://www.ccscad.edu/). Scope out the student gallery section there and see if it's Product or Transportation Design you'd want to pursue.

Other places that offer an ID undergrad program are listed here as well...

http://www.aicad.org/undergrad.htm

[KuJo]

I'm currently at University of Central Florida...

Not the best school on earth, I know... but I'm intending on finishing my undergrad and getting my BSME. After taking all of these higher level egn. classes, it would seem such a waste not to continue...

I'm hoping though to find out what classes a graduate level ID program would want me to take prior to enrolling (or if conditionally accepted), so that I can spend the next two years of my time, or perhaps even the next two summers, focusing on a direction that'll let me transition into the world of ID, but hopefully be a little better off after graduating with a BSME, with a focus in materials.

Everythings made out of materials, and physical design can be dictated by material type, so it seemed a logical choice (and far better than mechatronic or energy systems focuses)