Ohio State Design is proud to announce that five undergraduate industrial design students have been awarded the prestigious Arts Undergraduate Research Scholarships (AURS) for 2024. These scholarships support research and creative activities, recognizing exceptional talent, ambition, and the potential for significant impact in design. All projects happen to be part of the students’ senior capstone projects, advised by Assistant Professor William Nickley, and are supported by partnerships with organizations including Battelle Memorial Institute and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), specifically the ODNR Division of Parks & Watercraft.

Mark Celestina

Mark is collaborating with Battelle on a groundbreaking medical device to enhance user experiences for individuals with arthritis. His design for an innovative implantable drug delivery system aims to improve the quality of life for patients by addressing challenges in current treatment methods. Mark’s meticulous research and empathetic approach highlight his commitment to patient care. You can view his project presentation here.

Erin Shaw

Partnering with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Erin is exploring how design can enhance youth engagement in play activities within Ohio’s state parks. Her project seeks to foster sustainability and environmental stewardship through creative, community-centered interventions that blend design with education. Watch her project presentation here.

Emma Bergman

Emma’s project, also in collaboration with Battelle, addresses the comfort of individuals living with epilepsy in the age of TikTok. She is designing a treatment plan that leverages innovative technology to create supportive and comforting solutions for patients. Emma’s user-centered approach aligns with emerging trends in healthcare design. Her project presentation is available here.

Emily Straughn

Emily is working with ODNR on a project aimed at tackling litter issues in Ohio’s state parks. By engaging rural Appalachian communities and employing traditional craft techniques, Emily’s research emphasizes sustainable solutions that also foster community revitalization. Their dedication to innovation and social good exemplifies the power of design to make a difference. View their project presentation here.

Dedié Adissem

Dedié’s project, another collaboration with ODNR, focuses on sustainability and land stewardship through the integration of Indigenous knowledge. His work aims to address waste management challenges in Ohio’s state parks by fostering partnerships with Indigenous communities and park visitors, blending tradition with contemporary design. His project presentation can be found here.

About the Industrial Design Capstone

The Industrial Design Capstone at Ohio State offers students the opportunity to work closely with an Ohio State Design faculty member and a small team of talented 4th-year students to define a topic area and transform it into actionable design concepts. This capstone program is an excellent opportunity for external partners to build their talent pipeline, develop pathways for future technology, and explore innovative service applications. Each year, the capstone program produces a wide array of student research and outcomes, exemplified by the five scholarship winners featured here. These projects showcase how industrial design blends creativity, research, and collaboration to address real-world challenges.

Congratulations to Mark, Erin, Emma, Emily, and Dedié on this outstanding achievement! Stay tuned for updates on their progress as they bring these impactful projects to life.

This story was authored by William Nickley and ChatGPT v4o, which was used to summarize student research projects based on their letters of intent for AURS.