Rida/Shihan Gao

Hi, I'm an industrial designer from Shanghai, China. I'm currently pursuing my Master's degree in the Integrated Product Design program at University of Pennsylvania.

I became an industrial designer because of my enthusiasm in technology and physical products. I love the touch of a well polished product with the cutting-edge technology inside, combining technology and liberal arts. I also love the tactile feeling of analog inputs. In my many projects, I experimented ways to imitate analog feedback with modern digital technologies.

Outside my professional life, I'm also a photographer and videographer. I'm especially intrigued to the retro look of a film roll, and experimented in ways of imitating that look. Feel free to check out my Photography Blog >>

Education
University of Pennsylvania
MS Integrated Product Design
Penn Engineering | Weitzman Design | Wharton
2023 – 2025
Philadelphia, PA, United States
Tongji University
ME Industrial Design
College of Design and Innovation
2019 – 2023
Shanghai, China
Experience
Integrated Product Design
Design Studio Manager
Oct 2023 – Present
Philadelphia, USA

・Managed a design studio accommodating 60 students, fueling creativity by ensuring a clean and convenient environment.
・Oversaw maintenance of 3D printers, organized safety training workshops, managed studio supplies, and supervised purchase requests.
・Optimized tool storage solutions, increasing capacity and accessibility by 70% through color-coded zones and labeling.
・Gathered feedbacks to continuously enhance the studio space, addressing the diverse needs of all students.

ChompShop
Product Designer
Jan 2024 – Jun 2024
Philadelphia, USA

・Designed and launched a kid-safe tool educational platform, which is now utilized by over 2,000 children and parents worldwide, fostering a more engaging learning environment for children ages 5-12.
・Integrated feedback from 32 participants in 7 workshops and 4 industry interviews to refine wireframes and prototypes, establishing a user-centric design approach that is now utilized by the product team.

BOSCH
Product Design Contract
May 2022 – June 2022
Shanghai, China

・Developed 3 accessories and a digital product that works with Bosch's current line of power tools, protected worker's wellness by visualizing 5 types of data that reflects the strain of human bodies.

Ecology and Cultures Innovation Lab
UX Researcher
Oct 2022 – June 2023
Shanghai, China

Ecology and Cultures Innovation Lab of College of Design and Innovation at Tongji University is a design lab working on nature and ecology-related issues.
・Developed a sophisticated data visualization algorithm using P5, transforming complex datasets into intuitive and engaging graphics. Streamlined the process of data interpretation and elevated overall visual design, making analytical insights accessible and actionable.
・Researched on 4 open-source projects, acquired a deep understanding of the underlying mechanism in project Astrobot. Allowed people to conduct astronomical observations and photography with only 1/10 of the regular cost.

HOTO Design
Industrial Design Intern
June 2021 – Aug 2021
Shanghai, China

HOTO brings modern design to home power tools without sacrificing functionality. HOTO has 40+ products sold to 56countries, winning 40+ international awards including the iF, RedDot, and Good Design Award.
・Initiated shape and form with the design team in the development of a new product.
・Designed accessories for an existing product, solving a known issue based on user feedbacks.
・Reconstructed packaging design for an existing product, improved visual design for 3 different packaging size.
・Conducted market research on rotary tool for 30+ existing SKUs in 3 sizes. This research provided references for themarket research team to reach a decision on which product to develop.

Skills
Softwares
3D CAD
Rhino
Solidworks
OnShape
Keyshot
Blender
Figma
Adobe Creative Suite
Lightroom
DaVinci Resolve
Webflow
Eagles
Design
Design Process
Problem Framing
Market Research
Rapid Prototyping
Design Concept
Design System
UX Research
UI Design
CMF
Engineering
DFM (Design for Manufacturability)
DFA (Design for Assembly)
QFD (Quality Function Deployment)
Cost Estimation
Electronics
PCB Design
Arduino
Embedded C
Human System Engineering
Prototyping
3D Printing
Laser Cutting
CNC
Milling
Spray Painting
Business
Technology Strategy
VC & Funding
Intellectual Property
Market Segmentation
Other
Photography
Videography
Video Editting
Color Grading