The Integrated Product Design (IPD) program is more than an education—it’s a transformative experience where students can learn to design and build almost anything they can imagine. Rooted in human-centered design, the program brings together perspectives from design, engineering, and business to foster creativity, collaboration, and innovation.
IPD is where ideas come to life. Students thrive in a collaborative, diverse cohort, learning from each other as well as from faculty. The cohort model creates a supportive community where students share knowledge, perspectives, and skills, amplifying their growth and creativity.
Our graduates—entrepreneurs, designers, engineers, and innovation leaders—are reshaping the world, one product, service, and business at a time. Backed by the resources of three world-class schools, the program blends the passion of a start-up with the academic rigor of an Ivy League education.
Kausi Raman is an accomplished entrepreneur and design professional with expertise in product development and innovation. As Co-Founder and CEO of ChompShop, she leads a groundbreaking startup that gained national recognition on Shark Tank and achieved significant success with the ChompSaw, a kid-safe creative tool.
A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a Master’s in Integrated Product Design and UC Davis with a dual Bachelor’s in Economics and Design, Kausi combines a strong foundation in design thinking with a passion for social impact. Her leadership has driven initiatives at Penn and beyond, including mentoring and facilitating projects that blend creativity with real-world problem-solving.
Antonia Violante is a User Experience Strategist at Vanguard, where she applies her expertise in design and behavioral science to craft impactful digital experiences. With a Master’s degree in Integrated Product Design from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Cognitive Science from Swarthmore College, Antonia merges technical proficiency with a deep understanding of human behavior.
Her professional journey spans roles as a Senior Associate at ideas42, where she enhanced products and programs in early childhood nutrition and civic engagement, and as a Books Editor at Behavioral Scientist magazine. She has also contributed to design innovation as a Digital Design Strategist intern at Konrad Group and advanced research initiatives at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Varun Sanghvi is a mechanical engineer and product designer passionate about innovative technologies. As a Staff Product Design Engineer at Apple, he has contributed to groundbreaking products, including the Apple Vision Pro and iPhone 13 Pro.
A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a Master’s in Integrated Product Design, Varun conducted research at the GRASP Lab under Dr. Cynthia Sung and holds a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from Savitribai Phule Pune University.
His career spans startups and global organizations, including roles as Senior Product Engineer at WAZER, where he developed the world’s first desktop waterjet cutter, and Director of Engineering at Tesseract Imaging, where he led development of 360-degree cameras and VR prototypes.
Our faculty members are dedicated to building up the next generation of engineers. In addition to being incredible mentors, they’re leading experts and researchers in their fields.
Area of expertise: Mechanical engineering applied to projects such as technology development, consumer product development, and manufacturing scale-up
Students know me for: Being one of the inventors of E Ink, the technology used in the Amazon Kindle
My goal: is to give students the skills and confidence to design things correctly and get them made
Area of expertise: Technological innovation & entrepreneurship; venture capital
Students know me for: Helping them to develop their venture concepts and start companies
I want to make an impact in: Students’ entrepreneurial mindset and making a difference in the world
This course explores the intersection of design, technology, and art. Students create interactive objects through three hands-on projects: a sensory object using silicone casting in 3D-printed molds, a digital pet responsive to sensors and IoT data, and a collaborative sculptural piece integrating digital and physical interaction. Blending engineering and artistic exploration, the course develops skills in analog, digital, and electronic design. The course culminates in a gallery showcase of the final projects, highlighting how technology and creativity combine to create engaging experiences.
This course examines how design can drive equity, inclusion, and accessibility while challenging designers to rethink who their work serves and impacts. Through frameworks like design justice and disability justice, students will challenge assumptions about normalcy and learn to design with rather than for marginalized communities. Engaging in critical disability studies and co-designing with members of the disability community, students will develop tools to incorporate inclusive practices into their future designs of physical and digital products, places, and services. This course is ideal for anyone committed to creating designs that serve all users and foster meaningful, equitable impact.
This course equips students with the skills and strategic mindset to excel as product leaders in diverse industries, from technology-intensive startups to global corporations. Through a deep dive into product development, students will explore market strategy, apply advanced Product Management tools and frameworks, and tackle real-world challenges. The course prepares students to lead cross-functional teams, align business goals with customer needs, and drive the development and successful launch of innovative products. Graduates of this course will emerge ready to take on impactful leadership roles in product management, shaping the future of technology and business.
This studio course guides IPD students through the hands-on development and refinement of their final projects, emphasizing exploration, iteration, and innovation. By integrating design, engineering, and business perspectives, students tackle real-world challenges while honing essential skills in collaboration, strategic thinking, and leadership. The dynamic studio environment fosters creativity, teamwork, and active learning, encouraging students to reflect, experiment, and evolve their ideas. Through a combination of theory, collaborative practice, and critique, students will develop the tools to create stakeholder-centered solutions and thrive as product designers in interdisciplinary environments.
