Aliina Lange sits down with host Adam Fromme in this episode of the Thinking through Design podcast. 

“You really need to advocate for yourself and your ideas, because the only way new ideas get through is if you can advocate why they matter.” Aliina Lange

In this Student Spotlight episode, fourth-year industrial design student Aliina Lange reflects on her journey through the design program while sharing the story behind her capstone (one of four student projects) developed in partnership with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Inspired by firsthand observations at Alum Creek State Park, Aliina identified discarded fishing line as a significant environmental challenge and designed both a practical waste-management tool and a conservation mascot campaign aimed at encouraging responsible behavior among anglers.

Beyond the project itself, Aliina discusses discovering industrial design almost by chance, learning to embrace uncertainty in Design Foundations, developing a research-driven design process rooted in empathy and observation, and the role that faculty mentors and a close-knit cohort played in her growth as a designer. Our conversation explores the value of collaboration, the importance of advocating for ideas, and why Aliina believes design’s greatest responsibility is helping people through thoughtful interventions that create meaningful change.

This episode is part of the Student Spotlight mini-series. During the summer, we sit down with students at Ohio State DESIGN, giving them a chance to share their experiences and talk about the ideas that inspire them.

You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts.