Home Products Development

There’s an entire industry behind almost everything we use wherever we live. Our homes, apartments, dorms, and beyond are filled with things we need, want — and even love. In this unique program, you’ll learn to create products that meet consumers’ changing needs and desires.

In a close-knit, collaborative academic environment, you’ll learn to understand consumer trends and behavior, identify opportunities in the market, develop product concepts, and manage the product development process of taking new ideas from concept to consumer. And you’ll benefit from the program’s close ties to industry leaders in this growing field.

Designed for and by the growing home products industry, this program explores the management of the materials, manufacturing, and marketing of home industries: textiles, furnishings, and housewares. Working individually and in teams, you’ll learn about the structure of the home industry, products, categories, sourcing and supply chains, target marketing, branding, licensing, and more.

If you have an AAS from FIT or another institution, or if you've completed at least 60 credits towards a bachelor's degree, you are eligible to apply. Learn more about eligibility for this program.

Degree Details

We focus on all aspects of the development process to create products that are innovative, functional, and meaningful to consumers.

The continuing collaboration between Home Products Development alumna Leeann Brzozowski and her former professor David Brogna resulted in Leeann's improvement to the beach towel, the Sol Mat.

Jennifer Castoldi ’01 launched Trendease, an online design and fashion publication, in 2004. Castoldi, a “bridge between the creative and business communities,” also works as an industry consultant.

How you think drives how we live … Blending creative vision and function, this industry translates ideas into products that transform the consumer market and home environment.

The way we interact with our world is affected by the quality or even just the feel of different materials. … It really affects everything.

Lauren BirrittellaHome Products Development ’07

Students have interned at Lifetime Brands, Robinson Home, J. Queen, S. Lichtenberg, Town & Country Living, Thro by Mario Lorenz, Himatsingka America, WGSN, Iconix Brand Group, West Elm, Design Within Reach, Chilewich, Macy’s, Anthropologie, The Inside, and Georg Jensen. Graduates have worked at Ralph Lauren Home; RH (Restoration Hardware); Martha Stewart Omnimedia; Bed, Bath, & Beyond; West Elm; Cuisinart; OXO; and Lifetime Brands. Their roles include product development, product management, trend forecasting, merchandising, showroom management, sales, and design. Other areas of opportunity include styling, e-commerce, and trade shows.

Beyond Graduation

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Our faculty members are working professionals in key executive positions who bring a variety of industry experience to the program. Meet more Home Products Development faculty.

Shelley E. Kohan

Shelley E. Kohan was an FIT student, an experience that motivated her to give back to the industry and the community by coming back to teach. She is currently associate chair of Home Products Development and a associate professor teaching in Home Products and Fashion Business Management. Kohan also serves as faculty advisor for the FIT Collegiate DECA student club.

Carolyn A. D’Angelo

A managing director of brands at Gordon Brothers and president of Laura Ashley, Carolyn D’Angelo develops new content and geographies for the iconic retail brand’s consumer home sectors. She has led the brand management strategy for Martha Stewart, Emeril Lagasse, and Sur La Table, and has worked with home goods brands at Ralph Lauren and Disney. She holds a BA and MBA from Pace University.

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