05/05/23

AMES, Iowa — More than 35 Iowa State University graduating seniors in industrial design will share their final projects in the Industrial Design Senior Show Friday, May 12, at the Student Innovation Center.

The come-and-go event will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the first-floor atrium and Step-a-torium. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and mocktails will be served.

Physical and digital work developed in the Industrial Design Senior Project course taught by industrial design assistant teaching professors Monica Amman and Matthew Obbink and associate professor Verena Paepcke-Hjeltness will be featured in the show, which is being organized by students in the Experiential Learning Special Projects class taught by industrial design assistant teaching professor Megen O’Toole.

“The Industrial Design Senior Show is an opportunity to experience the culmination of our students’ hard work, dedication and creativity,” O’Toole said.

“It will feature an impressive array of industrial design projects ranging from cutting-edge product concepts to innovative approaches to problem-solving.”

The future of furniture

Several students will exhibit furniture they’ve designed and built this semester.

Lauren Bush, from Milan, Illinois, and Anne Fritsch, from West Chicago, Illinois, created “The Hammie,” which combines the portability of a hammock and the comfort of a plush lounge chair, Bush said.

Bush, who is part of the class organizing the show, said, “We hope that everyone will be impressed by the creativity and diversity of the projects and gain a greater appreciation for the field of industrial design.”

Classmate Sydney Schilling will showcase her handcrafted furniture collection, “Stay,” including a chair, a stool and a modern take on a lounging chair.

“I’m very into the hands-on aspect of these projects,” said Schilling, from Council Bluffs, Iowa. “I’m so excited to show them.”

Enhancing safety

For Ryann Kullmann, from Philadelphia, it’s all about solving problems. Inspired to create her project while completing an internship at John Deere, Kullmann has built a platform of plywood and 3D-printed inserts that will allow farmers driving farm equipment like tractors to have an elevated place to stand when they clean their windows.

Right now, Kullmann said, “they just reach across or they don’t clean their windshield, and that’s really important to their safety and the daily functionality of farming.”

Contacts

Lauren Bush, Graduating Senior, Industrial Design, lbush@iastate.edu
Ryann Kullmann, Graduating Senior, Industrial Design, rkull@iastate.edu
Sydney Schilling, Graduating Senior, Industrial Design, sydneys2@iastate.edu
Megen O’Toole, Assistant Teaching Professor, Industrial Design, motoole@iastate.edu
Lauren Johnson, Communications Specialist, College of Design, laujohn2@iastate.edu

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