Develop your portfolio with access to design tools and expertise at Penn.
What is the program?
The Portfolio Design Bootcamp is a first-of-its-kind program to prepare designers, artists, engineers, and innovators for the next step in their professional life. Made possible by the Integrated Product Design program at UPenn and hosted by the Studios @ Venture Lab, these two entities offer unparalleled access to expertise and physical resources to help students of the program forge new pathways in their careers.
Who is the program for?
Our facilities are best utilized for the creation of physical works, so those interested in fields like product design, industrial design, mechanical engineering, architecture, or sculpture are a great fit. The Portfolio Design Bootcamp is best-suited for:
- Current Undergrad students interested in developing a portfolio to apply to design focused graduate programs or interships/ jobs in design related field.
- Current graduate students looking to build and curate their portfolio to apply to internships or jobs in a design related field.
- Professionals with a bachelor’s degree looking to build a portfolio to apply to a design-focused graduate program or to make a career pivot into a design related field.
What will you get out of the program?
Students will produce 1-2 portfolio-quality pieces tailored to their desired industry and learn to present their work in a professional manner with a high-quality digital portfolio. Students will photograph their work in Studios @ Venture Labs’ state-of-the-art photography studio, learn to edit those photos using Adobe Photoshop, and learn basic Adobe InDesign skills to put together the portfolio itself. Students may bring any existing work to incorporate, or continue to workshop, for their portfolio.
What do I need to apply?
- CV/Resume that demonstrates a background in Design (physical or digital), Engineering, Product Management, User Research, or other Scientific/Technological fields. No fabrication experience is required.
- And/or currently enrolled in an Undergraduate or Graduate program in one of the aforementioned fields.
- A short statement of intent – pitch us a project you would like to work on! Keep in mind our main fabrication processes are laser cutting and 3D printing. As part of your statement also include what you intend to do with your new portfolio.
Where is the program taught?
The Studios @ Venture Labs are a collection of workspaces and labs that house digital and analog fabrication technologies that empower the UPenn community to make their ideas a reality. The program affords access to our world class 3D printing services, laser cutters, CNC router, and extensive tool library.
Who teaches the program?
Ashley Marcovitz is a designer and educator specializing in digital fabrication. Ashley has worked as a 3D modeler for over ten years, including as in-house designer at MakerBot. Ashley previously taught undergraduate and graduate students in Pratt Institute’s Jewelry department, and now teaches in Penn’s Integrated Product Design graduate program, with coursework focusing on 3D modeling, 3D printing and laser cutting. Ashley has been reviewing portfolios for the School of International Art since 2020.
Taylor Caputo is a product designer, artist, and academic with a background in the fine arts, crafts, and 3D modeling. An alum of the Integrated Product Design Program at the School of Engineering, she is now the Director of the Studios @ Venture Lab, a Fabrication Lab open to the entire UPenn community. Taylor created and teaches the interdisciplinary How to Make Things and Design of Connected Objects & Experiences courses. She offered design consulting to various companies such as Away Travel, Puma, and BioMeme, and has exhibited her work internationally, notably at the 2016 Vienna Design Week and 2018 Milan Design Week.
Program Dates & Instruction Time:
The program runs from January 8-12th, 2024. Instruction time takes place from 10am-4pm Monday-Friday and includes after hours access to the Studio to complete work outside of class time. The Studio is staffed by Studio Technicians (graduate product design students) outside of class time who are highly skilled and knowledgeable. After hours access is tentatively scheduled until 8pm on weekdays.
Tuition + Materials:
Tuition for the program is $750 plus a $50 material allotment fee for laser cutting and 3D printing services.
How to get to campus and where to stay:
The Studios @ Venture Lab are located on the west side of Penn’s campus (115 S 40th Street).
Public Transportation:
- 40th Street Station: Market Frankford Line
- 21 & 42 Buses
- Regional Rail and Amtrak: 30th Street Station
Parking:
Limited metered street parking available on 40th Street and surrounding areas. Walnut & 40th Street garage (above Acme) for $15/day.
Lodging:
There are various hotels within walking distance of the Studio. Short term rentals are also easily found just west of campus or in Center City, a short bus ride away.
- The Inn at Penn
- The Study at University City
- NICHE
- Homewood Suites
- Sheraton
Kausi Raman IPD '23
Julia Votto IPD '23
Quanyi Wang IPD '23
Chris Chong IPD '24
