Ohio State Design Students Showcase Innovation and Impact at the Denman Undergraduate Research Forum

The Denman Undergraduate Research Forum, an annual event at Ohio State University, brings together the university’s brightest minds to showcase their innovative research. This year, students from the Department of Design demonstrated how they are not only mastering their craft but also tackling significant real-world challenges through their projects. The research spanned across a wide range of categories, including “Business, Society, and International Relations,” “Earth and Beyond,” and more. Consequently, a common thread among the students’ projects was the theme of overcoming challenges and shifting perceptions of what it means to be a designer.

Adapting Designs for Real-World Impact: Morgan Brown and Harrison Dodd’s Evolving Projects

Morgan Brown, a fourth-year Industrial Design student, partnered with Honda to develop a storage solution for the company’s fully electric vehicles, specifically the Ridgeline truck model. Initially, her focus was on creating a storage solution tailored for artists transporting art supplies. However, she quickly realized her target audience was too narrow to justify a unique solution. “I had to expand my audience a little bit more,” Brown explained, acknowledging the challenge of adjusting her design to fit a broader consumer base.

Similarly, Harrison Dodd, a fourth-year Industrial Design student, shifted his focus audience as well. In his collaboration with Battelle and notable professors such as Will Nickley, Dodd shifted his initial scope from finding a cure for type 2 diabetes to the preventative stage of the disease.

These shifts ultimately made both of their designs more feasible for real-world implementation. "The program has really prepared me pretty well for this; the hardest part was pivoting my audience," Brown shared. Looking ahead, Brown hopes her project will assist in her job search, as she is currently applying for positions at Honda. Dodd also reflected on the impact of his work, emphasizing that while industrial design often focuses on aesthetics, his drive to make a difference for people is what motivates his future career aspirations.

Designing Sustainability: Erin Shaw's Vision for an Eco-Friendly Playground

Erin Shaw, a sixth-year student, partnered with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to design a sustainable playground. In the “Earth and Beyond” category, Shaw’s goal was to create a space that not only served as a recreational area but also promoted sustainability in a way that was easily understandable and engaging for children. “Design helped me find a place,” Shaw reflected, emphasizing how the department prepared her both professionally and personally for this moment, giving her the space and opportunity to grow in herself and her passion.

Conclusions and Acknowledgments

For these students, the Denman Undergraduate Research Forum was not just an opportunity to showcase their work—it was an affirmation of the transformative power of design in tackling some of today’s most pressing challenges.

This year, the Ohio State Department of Design was represented by Elise Aultman, Emma Bergman, Mark Boyd, Morgan Brown, Kayanaat Chaudhry, Eason Chen, Harrison Dodd, Jude Gill, Gage Kime, John Paul Kuepper, Sharon Longdong, Peter Maczuzak, Erin Shaw, and Beibei Wang.

The Ohio State Department of Design proudly congratulates Industrial Design students Erin Shaw and Peter Maczuzak for their outstanding achievements at the Denman Undergraduate Research Forum. Erin Shaw earned first place in the “Earth and Beyond” category for her research project, “Rock House Nature Center,” while Peter Maczuzak was recognized in the “Business, Society, and International Relations” category for his research titled, “Banking on Subscriptions? Think Again with Me.”

These accomplishments highlight their dedication and innovative thinking, and the Department of Design is incredibly proud of their hard work. We eagerly anticipate their continued success in the future.