The School of the Design and Arts of the Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT), founded in 1984 as the Department of Industrial Design, is one of the design schools that first opened industrial design courses in China.

As the culmination of 30 years of experience and exploration, the school has established its leading position in design education of the nation and been granted the membership of the Industrial Design Education Steering Committee of the Education Ministry of China. To meet the demand of rapidly developing economy for design talents in a broad spectrum of fields, five departments have been established since 2000, including the Department of Visual Communication Design, the Department of Environmental Art and Design, the Department of Cultural Heritage, the Department of Decorative Painting, and the Department of Traditional Art Crafts.

In 2002, the school was officially founded, featuring a unique model of comprehensive development combining technology, design and art. To further the reform of teaching methods, draw on the most recent concepts and philosophies in design and art industries, and create vigorous academic atmosphere and more favorable teaching and research environment, the school officially adopted its current name in 2009. Meanwhile, the academic resources and teaching staff were integrated, optimized and augmented, so as to adapt to the future development of the school, and provide constant booster and solid foundation for successful careers of students.