It’s an opportunity to demonstrate a reflection of God’s creativity. This is an outlet for us to worship God. Jay Kinsinger studio art, met in the Jeremiah House on Cedarville’s campus — the ICC’s first headquarters and home of former Cedarville President James T. Jeremiah, a leader noted for innovative problem-solving. “That first class was the perfect display of what industrial design is: the intersection of business, engineering, and art,” Stevenson added. “We often hear the phrase ‘Jack of all trades,’” Joe Gerber ’22, an IID major from Ellendale, Delaware, said. “Our instructors help us build our ’toolbelts,’ as we call them, with skills like writing, presenting, designing and sketching, marketing, rendering, and many more.” DEVELOPING INNOVATION LEADERS As the IID major has matured, it’s provided students with further opportunities to exercise their innovation and design skills, which culminate in senior capstone projects. Seth Killian ’17 channeled his love for motorcycles into his senior capstone project by producing a custom set of tools to fit the British-made Birmingham Small Arms (BSA) motorcycles, for which the market previously lacked a sufficient tool set. His company, Iron and Hide Customs, was born out of the semester-long project. After graduation, IID students use their projects, skills, and focused expertise to launch into industry, landing some of the market’s top competitive positions. Over 85% of ICC graduates are employed in design-related fields. “We have graduates working at Wolverine Boots, Nike, Air Jordan, Reebok, Books Running, Crocs, Hunter Fans, Shark Ninja, Petco, Bose, Chick-Fil-A Corporate — the list goes on and on,” Stevenson explained. An easy-to-build tree fort for parents with few building skills became 2017 graduate Drew Brandt’s capstone project. That design was the key to him landing his current post creating outdoor play equipment for KidKraft in Dallas, Texas. Julia Shaffer ’19 accepted a position as an associate industrial designer at Hunter Fans, one of the leading companies in the domestic lighting and fan industry, in January 2020. Her designs have routinely hit the market since. TTI Electronics, a Fort Worth-based corporation that owns companies such as Dirt Devil Vacuums and RYOBI tools, also hires many of Cedarville’s IID graduates. Major car manufacturers such as Honda and Ford have also hired Cedarville’s IID alumni. “My lifelong dream has been to build rollercoasters,” Gerber shared. “I came into Cedarville as a mechanical engineering major, but realized I needed more creativity to explore my love for themed entertainment design.” Gerber’s senior capstone project will propose a design for a Magic School Bus-themed thrill ride, which he hopes will highlight his skills for immersive and engaging attraction design. REFLECTING THE CREATOR In addition to design experience, Gerber has also developed more independence in his faith and deeper friendships because of the move to Columbus. “It was very difficult to leave the main campus, but as seniors, we are so grateful for where we are,” he explained. “My classmates are my family, and we learned to encourage each other in our spiritual walks and come alongside one another when school was demanding. This program prepares you for the real world in every aspect.” Jay Kinsinger, ICC instructor and Associate Professor of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering at Cedarville, echoes the idea of spiritual growth and the IID major being uniquely tied. “It’s an opportunity to demonstrate a reflection of God’s creativity,” Kinsinger explained. “This is an outlet for us to worship God. I think of Exodus 31 where God fills these craftsmen with His spirit so they can make beautiful things 20 | Cedarville Magazine
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