Department of functional design.
Founded on 1964.

The aim of the department is prepare future designers capable to create new functional objects and project for every day environment. Students get introduced to materials, techniques and theoretical disciplines as well they are encouraged to experiment with everything.

The core courses include:
1. Design basics, principles of composition and design′s theoretical disciplines - descriptive geometry, material technologies, ergonomics, bionics, functional analyzes of an object;
2. compositional designing - assignments with gradual level of difficulty staring form simple object to projects for furniture and transport production. Students are working with classics methods and learn to work also with different programs - COREL-DRAW, PHOTOSHOP, 3D STUDIO, AUTO CAD, ILLUSTRATOR, FREE-HAND;
3. Projects for materialization - students are making models and prototypes in different materials - plaster, wood, plastics, and metal etc. students learn to work with different technologies and materials.
4. Art courses - 2D and 3D - painting, drawing, and modeling. The courses are adapted to specifics of the department.

Head of the department: Profesors Holgers Elers
Lecturers of the department:
Associate Professor: Juris Panteļejevs, Dr. ing.
Professors emeritus: Arvīds Drīzulis, Tālivaldis Gaumigs,
Deans: Gunārs Glūdiņš, Anita Meldere, Gita Straustiņa,
Lecturer and head of workshop: Kirils Panteļejevs,
Outside Collaborator: Edīte Bērziņa, Jānis Kārkliņš, Roberts Vaitkus,
Methodologist: Laila Kocere, Baiba Lindāne.