Industrial Design and Animation Juniors Explore Campus, Studios, and the Future of Design
Juniors from High Tech High School’s D|Fab program recently visited the New Jersey Institute of Technology’s J. Robert and Barbara A. Hillier College of Architecture and Design for a day of exploration into collegiate design education.
The group, made up of Industrial Design and Animation students, attended a talk led by Matt Schwartz. His presentation focused on several key topics shaping the field today, including universal design, iterative design, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in industrial design. Students came prepared with questions and actively engaged in the discussion.
The visit extended beyond the lecture hall. Students toured NJIT’s design studios, campus library, and MakerLab, where they explored prototyping equipment and digital fabrication tools similar to those they use in D|Fab. Their familiarity with the technology was clear, and many students quickly connected the college-level workspaces to their own classroom experiences.
The group also learned about student clubs and organizations and had the opportunity to connect with several High Tech alumni currently studying at NJIT. Hearing directly from former students provided valuable insight into both the academic programs and daily life on campus.
The visit offered students a meaningful look at what the next step in their design education could look like — from studio culture and hands-on prototyping to the broader creative and professional opportunities ahead.
D|Fab extends a sincere thank you to the faculty and staff at NJIT who helped make the experience possible.
