Product design grads cap college experience with China trip, pending patents

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Work can be a grind, and that's a good thing for two Western Michigan University product design students who won the experience of a lifetime by developing innovative spice mill designs for a global brand.

Ana Charnesky, B.A.'24, and Kelsi Schmottlach, B.A.'24, graduated from Western at the end of April and were whisked away weeks later for a two-week tour of China alongside FinaMill founder and CEO, Alex Liu. From the Forbidden City and the Bird's Nest Olympic stadium in Beijing to vibrant markets and cultural centers, the pair was immersed in the country's art, architecture, design and manufacturing processes.

"Traveling inspires me to want to design on a global scale," says Charnesky, who is still processing the whirlwind visit. 

She and Schmottlach kicked off the experience with Liu and his team in Hong Kong where they spent a day tasting local foods and visiting an art museum before flying to Beijing. A tour guide then showed them around the Chinese capital, explaining traditional architecture and design elements and their significance.

"I'm a product designer, but I'm really interested in all forms of urban design, architecture, furniture. So, it's really cool to walk around China and get time to pay attention to those little things," Schmottlach says.

"We went to a garden that was like a palace garden where you could walk all the way up to this man-made mountain where they dug out one of the largest canals in Beijing where they transported all of the materials to build the Forbidden City," adds Charnesky. "(Our tour guide) would explain the placement of temples, different coloring of the tiles that are used on the temples—there's a lot of meaning behind everything."

Applied learning

While immersing themselves in Chinese culture and learning from locals was a highlight, it was the ensuing behind-the-scenes tours of product manufacturing processes at more than a dozen companies in various cities that will propel the pair forward in their professional journeys. 

"We saw ceramic manufacturing, car manufacturing and sheet metal manufacturing for electrical grids," Schmottlach says of their time in Changzhou. "We got to see the full process breakdown of making these parts and pieces, and I thought it was interesting that the grinder for spices is made with these beautifully intricate ceramic pieces, each ridge of the form designed to perfectly grind peppercorn or salt."

"We were able to get a sense of what it looks like to do product testing, what it looks like to use the plastic injection molding machines, which I hadn't seen in person before, so that was really cool to see the things we learned in engineering classes in real life," Charnesky adds.

In Guangzhou at the FinaMill offices, Liu gave the students a chance to jump into the rapid ideation process with his employees.

"There were a couple of things they were specifically working on that they were trying to problem solve for, so Kelsi and I had the opportunity to be in the room with them and sketch out some really quick concepts," Charnesky remembers. 

The engineers would give feedback on the feasibility of their designs and have them go back to the drawing board and try out new sketches.

"That was a really valuable piece of working in FinaMill, at least for the day, because you really get to understand what you have to consider. As an industrial designer, you have to consider mostly the user experience. But at the end of the day, it does have to be produced to get to the user, so having an engineer during an ideation session was a very different experience and very fulfilling," says Charnesky.

"My hope was that Ana and Kelsi would gain valuable insights into the world of manufacturing. They witnessed the fascinating diversity—from the precision of cutting-edge machinery to the enduring artistry of traditional craftsmanship," says Liu. "By engaging with engineers, quality managers and business professionals to broaden their perspective on product design, they could gain an understanding how these roles intersect and how they fuel creativity and drive innovation."

The challenge

The road to this epic trip began a couple years ago when Charnesky was in Chicago for the Inspired Home Show, an international trade show for housewares. She struck up a conversation with Liu at his booth and told him about her work in the product design program at Western.

"I was immediately impressed with Anastasia," Liu says. "She not only wants to improve a user's product experience but also the impact that product has on the environment."

After the conference, Liu reached out to Western's Richmond Institute for Design + Innovation to see how his company could get involved with the product design program. The connection culminated in a fall 2023 studio course sponsored by FinaMill, which challenged students to develop a comprehensive design solution for a FinaMill product or product line for use in the commercial space.

"We wanted to engage directly with students, sharing our real-world experiences—from manufacturing processes to intellectual property protection and fine tuning marketing strategies," says Liu. "We were eager to tap into the vibrant creativity of these young, active minds. We also hoped our collaboration would foster innovative concepts that bridge the gap between theory and practice."

Students had the opportunity to consult with Liu throughout the course, gaining valuable industry insight as well as feedback on their work.

"Sponsored design projects are important for students because they provide real-world applications of classroom knowledge," says Alfredo Carreno, adjunct professor of product design, who led the course. "Students get exposure to industry practices, collaborate with professionals and develop skills that go beyond the classroom, enhancing their preparation for the workforce."

Students delivered final presentations for their concepts at the end of the semester. Charnesky devised an attachment to a FinaMill spice grinder that could enhance spice flavor by toasting it. Schmottlach envisioned a compound butter extruder that could enhance flavor profiles of meals while also allowing cooks to easily portion it out. 

"As an entry level designer, it's so difficult to try to get myself out there," says Schmottlach. "Being able to talk to someone with such status and such experience (like Liu), who really listens to your considerations, it just gave me a lot of confidence."

"The product design program at WMU fosters a strong foundation in both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Students are encouraged to think outside the box and approach challenges with innovative solutions. I also witnessed students collaborating and engaging in teamwork, which are crucial skills in the professional world," adds Liu. "(Instructors) Alfredo Carreno and Michael Kahwaji's dedication to mentoring and guiding students plays a significant role.”

While Schmottlach and Charnesky's concepts won the overall prize of a fully funded trip to China, that wasn't the only exciting news. FinaMill selected three concepts to move forward with provisional patent filings, giving students the possibility of seeing their work move into the production process.

"I was genuinely impressed by the creativity and skill exhibited by these young professionals," Liu says. "Many students performed beyond my expectations."

Charnesky says the entire experience made her a better designer and prepared her for the next step in her career.

"Having a patent and going to China still feels very surreal, but it helps solidify that I was successful in learning what I set out to learn at Western," she says. "And it gives me confidence to go out into the industry."

For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.