Integrated Product Development (IPD) is an experiential, interdisciplinary course that creates a competitive product development environment for students from Art & Design, Business, Engineering, and Information. Multidisciplinary student teams combine their expertise to create, build, and market brand-new products.
I want to emphasize how mind-opening IPD, our conversations, and the insights from the design review panelists have opened my eyes to the possibilities within the creative dimensions of the business world.
Integrated Product Development (IPD) offers a comprehensive and immersive experience in the complete product development lifecycle.
Students collaborate in cross-functional teams to operate as independent companies competing in a specific product market. Team members come from schools across the University: Art & Design, Business, Engineering, and Information.
Each semester, IPD focuses on a specific product category, challenging teams to operate as independent firms competing in that market.
The course was an amazing opportunity for me to work as part of a multidisciplinary team, explore new fields like electronics, design, and UX research, and also finally create something new and innovative that would help society.
The curriculum combines lectures with hands-on work, guiding you through critical stages such as customer discovery, concept generation, technical development, production planning, pricing, and marketing. Throughout the course, you will navigate the intricacies of developing a fully functional, customer-ready product. Products may be physical or digital, as determined by the team’s discovery and ideation process.
The process culminates in an exciting competition. Your team will present the final product at both an online "trade show" accessible to a global audience, as well as an in-person exhibition for local community feedback. Success is evaluated holistically based on the desirability, feasibility, and viability of your product - reflecting your team's ability to navigate the complexities of product development.
I'm glad that I was part of this course where I got a chance to interact with cross-functional people, where each one has different talents and skill sets to bring to the table. Even the process of developing a product from scratch and integrating feedback was fun and challenging.
Recognized by leading publications like CNN, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Businessweek, this course is sponsored by the Tauber Institute for Global Operations at the University of Michigan.
Led by experienced faculty from the Ross School of Business and Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design, IPD also features guest speakers and design reviewers with extensive corporate product development and design experience who provide outside feedback to teams throughout the semester.
This 6-credit course offers an unparalleled opportunity to acquire real-world skills in a single semester, compressing a complete product development journey into one term.
Note: Students must register for two different courses: TO 448/548, IOE 448/548, ARTDES 416/516
I'll always remember the looks of joy and delight that the visitors had at the trade show when trying out our product.
I'll always remember the IPD Faculty for their enthusiasm and confidence in our product even when we had no hope of how this idea will turn into a physical prototype. Positive words and affirmations helped us drive our way to success.
I'm glad that I took this class and also looked on the bright side when team dynamics were very challenging. It taught me a lot about not only interdisciplinary teams but also about age differences, communication styles, and attitudes.
I'm glad that I had the opportunity to work with people in different schools and be able to showcase our individual strengths. Also having the opportunity to work on a physical product that I'm not used to as I'm more accustomed to software solutions.
This course was so engaging and helped to understand product development from a more commercial point of view for an engineer like me.
I'll always remember the impact the instructors had on my development during this course. I am grateful to have such supportive yet goal-oriented instructors who were full of energy and vigor to help us succeed. I have made some very meaningful connections here, and it will help me grow as a professional in my future.
Be prepared to put in the time and effort. You really get out of the course what you put into it. Come in open-minded about the design challenge (since you don't know what it is until the course begins) and working in a multi-disciplinary team where things might not always be smooth-sailing, because you have so much opportunity to learn and grow as a team member and leader.
ALL UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS: Register for both ArtDes 416 and TO 448 for a total of 6 credit hours
GRADUATE STUDENTS | STAMPS SCHOOL OF ART AND DESIGN: Register for both ArtDes 516 and TO 548 for a total of 6 credit hours
ROSS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS: Register for TO 548 and IOE 548 for a total of 6 credit hours
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING: Generally Register for both TO 548 and IOE 548 but should consult with their Graduate Program Advisor to confirm how to register for this class (and how it will count).
DUAL MBA/MEng:
SCHOOL OF INFORMATION AND those from other programs: Typically register for both TO 548 and IOE 548 but should consult with their Program Advisors to confirm how to register for this class.