Design 5101 / 5201 | Advanced Industrial Design Studio / Research III | 2024-25
Industrial Design Capstone
This two-part senior capstone course immerses students in a comprehensive, self-directed industrial design project, combining rigorous research methods with applied studio practices. My colleagues and I work to develop external partners to sponsor capstone "sandboxes" for groups of 3-5 4th-year industrial design students. In addition to monetary support, external partners provide students with a problem-space of interest, access to key project stakeholders and locations, an on-site project kick-off and final presentation, and weekly project check-ins.
In the research phase (5101), students problematize their external partner's problem space, developing a design brief to enact during the subsequent studio phase (5201). Importantly, there are no preconceived outcomes in the research phase - not even a requirement to design a physical product; instead, students are challenged to develop, prototype, and refine a strategic and contextual design solution, emphasizing fit between their solution and identified economic, technical, and socio-cultural contexts.
Partners for 2024-25 were Honda Research & Development, Huntington National Bank, Battelle Memorial Institute, and Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Parks & Watercraft.
Cover tile image credit: Emily Straughn with ODNR
Parnters' Problem Spaces
We work closely with external partners to develop problem spaces of interest, or "sandboxes," in which students will develop their capstone projects.
Honda
Honda's problem space challenges students to explore improving the usability and functional potential of the open front-end space of electric trucks – the "frunk" – focusing on reimagining experiences in the proximity of a stationary automobile. Students will research current pain points, propose near-term practical solutions, and envision long-term innovations to accommodate evolving retail and consumer behaviors, especially regarding curbside pick-up and grocery delivery services.
Huntington Bank
Huntington Bank aims to differentiate itself in a competitive financial services market by developing customer-centric design solutions that reflect new norms around financial clarity, control, and immediate versus future-oriented financial planning. Students will explore innovative product and service concepts to attract new customers, deepen existing relationships, and create sustainable, fee-free revenue streams.
Battelle
Battelle seeks to explore innovative scenarios and applications for a new, proprietary, implantable drug delivery technology. Students will develop comprehensive design solutions that address various medical conditions, user experiences, and integrated product-service systems, including supporting accessories, maintenance, and user guidance.
Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Parks & Watercraft
ODNR’s focus is on sustainability within Ohio's state parks, specifically targeting waste management and litter reduction. Students will develop practical, scalable design interventions—including physical and digital experiences—that encourage park visitors and staff to adopt sustainable practices, improve recycling efficacy, manage organic waste, and reduce environmental footprints at park sites.
Proposed Design Solutions
Eighteen projects (one-page summaries above, project video playlist below) emerged from the 2024–25 Industrial Design Capstone at Ohio State, reflecting the diverse challenges posed by industry and public sector partners.
Sponsored by Honda, Brett Enders’ “Frunk Changing Table” and Eason Chen’s “FoldNest” reimagined the front trunk of EV trucks as family-friendly, multifunctional spaces, while Gage Kime’s “Grille Gate & Guard” and Morgan Brown’s “FrunkFlex” emphasized accessibility and utility.
Huntington Bank inspired multiple directions, including Kayanaat Chaudhry’s “Dismantling the Racial Wealth Gap,” a design strategy guide for equitable banking, and Peter Maczuzak’s “With Me,” a smart tracking system for subscription spending.
Battelle’s medical technology challenge led to Emma Bergman’s “PULSE Anti-Seizure Implant” and Mark Celestina’s “OSI Refill Applicator,” addressing neurological and arthritis-related needs.
Partnering with ODNR, students like Erin Shaw (“Rock House Nature Center”) and Elise Aultman (“Trash to Cash”) proposed playful and sustainable interventions for Ohio’s parks, blending environmental education with public engagement.
Two Industrial Design Capstone Projects Earn Top Research Honors
At the 2025 Denman Undergraduate Research Forum, thirteen capstone students showcased their projects, competing alongside undergraduates from across the university. Notably, as shared on the Department of Design website, Erin Shaw earned first place in the “Earth and Beyond” category for her sustainable playground design with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, while Peter Maczuzak was recognized in the “Business, Society, and International Relations” category for his research on banking subscription models with Huntington National Bank.
Dr. Fabienne Munch (Chairperson, Department of Design), Erin Shaw, Peter Maczuzak, Asst. Prof. William Nickley (Department of Design)