The Universidad Autonoma de Manizales was founded in August of 1979, by a group of local academic and executives, that wanted to create an University for the local industrial needs. The Industrial Design program was created in the Superior Board in 1988. It begun the academic activities in January 1989. The program has always been working to edify professionals in the Industrial Design field, to be specialist at the development of industrial products, carrying for the social, economic and cultural context.

We are an educational community, that dynamized the knowledge, and committed to the pacific coexistence, and the regional development. We contribute to edify ethical, enterprising people, with critical an innovative thinking, into the social response.

Achievements:
- To create the Design Olympics, annual event that includes students from the most important
programs of Industrial Design in our country, to resolve a challenge of industrial design. The Design Olympics were created at our University 8 years ago, and now we are host of this event every 2 years, in order to share the event in other regions of the country.
- The “Rapidos” (fast solution of design) are done at the beginning of every semester, and is an event recognised by the industry, the people and the design students and teachers from
Manizales, and some of our country,
- The development of products and research associated to the industrial field such as: Cenicafe, Industria licorera de Caldas, Mabe, etc.

Long-term goals:
- To be part of international collaborative programs and projects, improve the number of internships for our students and professors.
- Keep being recognised as one of the best programs of Industrial Design in our country.
- To consolidate the project of the Design School, that today includes Industrial Design and Fashion Design, and is looking forward to open Graphic Design and Environment Design.