The School of Industrial Design was formed and began operations in September 1973, upon the
recommendation of an Advisory Committee formed by Professor Donald A.George and Professor
Douglas Shadbolt. Under the guidance of its first director, Professor Willem Gilles, the program
was based on the guidelines of the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design
(ICSID) and continues to evolve in parallel with ICSID tenets.

In September 2006, the School welcomed its 34th class of students. In April 2007, it will graduate
its 31st class with a cumulative total of 610 graduates, the largest number of any industrial design
program in Ontario and Canada.