The Integrated Product Design (IPD) Program at the University of Pennsylvania combines the energy of a start-up with the rigor and expertise of an Ivy League institution. Rooted at the intersection of design, engineering, and business, the IPD program leverages the principles of human-centered design and teaches students how to create physical, digital, and service-design projects that are desirable (design), feasible (engineering), and viable (business).

A structured four-semester studio sequence provides students the time and space to iteratively learn about and put into practice a human-centered and equity-focused design approach to product development. These hands-on and research-based studios are complemented by a far-reaching and diverse set of electives where students explore their personal interests and focus on acquiring the skills and know-how that they need in order to shape their future careers.

Within our home at Tangen Hall, students have access to dedicated studio workspace as well as the shops, machines, and expertise needed to physically create, prototype, and test their ideas. Additionally, and built on a cohort model, the shared studio space acts as a place to question, explore, test, break, and build together—learning from classmates, deepening understanding across disciplines, and forging enduring connections.