Design 3451 | Design Media for Industrial Design II | Spring 2024
Emerging Media for ID
This intermediate studio course introduces 2nd-year students to established and emerging digital media used in industrial design practice. Through iterative, hands-on assignments, students build practical skills in AI-driven creativity, 3D modeling, animation, and XR collaboration, strategically integrating these media into professional-level design visualizations aligned with their personal and professional goals. The course reflects my research interests by fostering critical engagement with digital media and personalized design practices.
Warning: assignment titles are often a bit "punny" :)
Assignment 01
mockt[AI]ls
Students engage in critical play with AI-driven image generation (Midjourney) to develop novel mocktail visualizations. This assignment builds foundational proficiency with emerging AI tools and encourages students to reflect on the role of AI within industrial design workflows. Student process & reflections available here for 2024.
Student work credit for below: OSU Industrial Design class of 2026
Assignment 02
redes[AI]gn
Leveraging generative AI, students revisit and reimagine their own previous toy design projects through iterative AI-driven redesign processes. Outcomes, which blend AI output with further digital manipulation, include refined visualization skills and enhanced critical reflection on AI as a transformative tool in the design process. Student process & reflections available here for 2024.
Student work credit for below: Katrina Boyce, Sophie Chu, Emily Tanchevski, Sydney Greenwell, Hannah King, Isaac Moyer
Assignment 03
Tick-Tock
Students capture, model, and animate an existing clock, employing industry-standard software (Solidworks, Fusion360 and Keyshot). Through creating a compelling teaser animation, students refine their skills in precise digital modeling, rendering techniques, and narrative storytelling within design visualization.
Fun fact: the ticking motion of a second-hand is quite complex!
Student work credit for below: Nicole Li, Chipper Orban
Assignment 04
De-/Re-construct
In this digital animation assignment, students creatively deconstruct and reconstruct detailed LEGO models, honing their proficiency with complex rendering and animation tools. Outcomes include advanced visualization skills, improved narrative expression, and technical accuracy within digital prototyping processes. Lots of students' videos here from 2024.
Student work credit for below: Nicole Li, Mica Bendezú, Héloïse Richer
Assignment 05
Chow Down
Teams collaboratively design immersive XR meal experiences using and abusing VR sculpting tools (Gravity Sketch). This assignment develops adaptability in emerging spatial media, collaborative ideation, and experiential storytelling, preparing students for future interdisciplinary XR design practices.
Student work credit for below: Lea / Emily / Sydney / Ces; Joe / Chip / Isaac / Lincoln; Brett / Jude / Emily; Gage / Boyd / JP / Eason / Beibei
Assignment 06
drawkcaB gnikroW
Students reverse-engineer professional-level visualizations by analyzing, strategizing, and replicating complex rendering techniques to improve one of their previous visualizations (a sketch, rendering, or photo) of a lighting project. This project enhances students’ capacity for visual analysis, toolchain development, and producing high-fidelity design presentations that align with industry standards.
Student work credit for below: Chipper Orban, Elise Aultman, Nicole Li, Jessica Angst, Sophie Chu, Kora Lilly, Aliina Lange, Cynthia Szeto, Héloïse Richer
Assignment 07
Perfect Fit
Utilizing 3D scanning technology (shoutout to Emerging Tech Studio), students design bespoke products tailored precisely to individual anatomy, showcasing mastery in personalized design practices. This culminating assignment integrates advanced digital workflows, rapid ideation, and professional-quality visualization to reflect a deep understanding of human-centered and customized industrial design solutions. Additional student projects with process available here from 2024.
Student work credit for below: Nicole Li, Joe Christiano, Sophie Chu, Kora Lilly
