Congratulations to Jenny Clark, Michael Maclean and Evan Trickey, who will attend the 2012 International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago on March 10-13, 2012, to showcase their winning designs. 

Each student was awarded an honorable mention and a $250 prize in the student category of the new product competition.

Jenny, Michael, and Evan devoted their Fall Quarter studio design class with Associate Professor Scott Shim to their projects for the contest, which they submitted in December 2011 to compete against 211 other student applicants from 21 different design schools across the U.S.

According to the International Housewares Association (IHA), Ohio State is the only school this year to have three students win honorable mentions. There were eight honorable mention winners, along with first, second and third place winners. 

Jenny developed Leverage, a modifiable door knob lever for users with arthritis. The rubber grip interior molds and fixes to differently contoured door knobs for an optimal hold. Evan created Zipcord, an extension-cord spool that can be wound using the rotation of a power drill, something a "do-it-yourself individual" might already have on hand. Michael developed SafeStep, an ergonomic step ladder with modified hand rails for elderly users, to assist with tasks around the house, and provide greater support while in use. Please see this article in The Lantern for even more information.