The Richmond Institute for Design + Innovation is the epicenter of interdisciplinary design education at Western Michigan University. Home to the interior architecture and design and product design programs which will prepare you to be part of the next generation of design innovators. Richmond Institute for Design and Innovation is firmly committed to providing a cutting-edge design workforce to ensure a vital and healthy design profession locally, nationally and globally.
I think WMU definitely has prepared me and given me the structure and discipline to be able to face such a demanding industry
Grace Stibich
New Product Design Executive in Residence
Matt Czach, a distinguished multi-disciplinary designer and seasoned product leader, will serve as the RID+I Hearron Product Design Executive in Residence for the Spring Semester of 2024.
Interior Architecture and Design Executive in Residence Sara Tripp
Design is Sara's passion, but project management is a close second. Her career has been shaped by opportunities to work with diverse clients across the country, including school districts, tribal communities, and government officials.
Internships
Field experience and internships are a central part of our curriculum. You will be matched with identified companies to make sure the internship is a good fit and the work is appropriate to the curriculum. Our community partnerships extend around the country to provide varied product design internship experiences. You will have the opportunity to branch out or focus your studies based on where you want your career to take you.
Wahl
This summer I worked as an intern at Wahl on the design team. I applied with a handful of students from some other top universities and they liked my work enough that I was the only one called in for an interview.
Bobby Snell
Hooker DeJong, Inc.
I have been a interior design intern with HDJ architects engineers and planners in downtown Muskegon for just over a month. It has been an amazing experience so far. I have had the chance to work directly with the Lead Designer on many projects. I have worked mostly on affordable housing projects, as well as senior living facilities. The projects are nationwide. From Virginia to Chicago to right here in Michigan - one even in Kalamazoo.
Carlee Castle
Hasbro
I work on creating new and fun board game ideas that could possibly be actually concepts one day. I also help with board games they are creating but just need extra help on. We sometimes come up with brand new board game ideas or different ways to play the classic games. It's pretty great!
Madison Dempster
Internships
Wahl
Hooker DeJong, Inc.
Hasbro
