工业设计硕士课程将设计探索为解决社会，文化，环境和其他问题的工具，并认识到设计不仅是一项专业服务，而且是将个人兴趣和价值与社会框架联系起来的一种方式。该计划认可以下观点：当今最有价值的设计机会是那些促进保护我们的环境并更好地理解人类行为的机会。第一年的项目通过直接实践和有关案例研究和产品历史的讨论，帮助增强和扩展了个别的工业设计方法。这有助于定义个人价值体系，工作方法以及有效地吸引受众进行对话的方式。历史和理论研究也是该计划的基础，有关当代问题的系列研讨会鼓励学生在发展自己的设计观点时进行对话。
The Master of Industrial Design at RISD explores design as a vehicle for addressing social, cultural, environmental and other concerns, recognizing that design connects individual interests and values within a social framework. The program endorses the notion that the most valuable design opportunities today are those promoting the preservation of our environment and a better understanding of human behavior. During the first year of the two-year MID, projects help enhance and expand individual industrial design methodologies, both through direct practice and discussion. This helps to define your personal value system and working methodologies, and how you engage audiences in dialogue. Throughout the curriculum, attention to history, theory and contemporary issues encourages dialogue with your peers as you develop your own perspective on design.