Patricia Forrest of Madison will have a product featured in Williams-Sonoma, a consumer retail company that sells kitchenware, furniture, linens, home furnishings and a variety of specialty foods and gift items.

“This has been such a wonderful experience. I was really blessed to participate in Auburn's truly spectacular Industrial Design program and to have access to such a great opportunity at such a young age,” she said.

Forrest’s interest in industrial design began as a student at Bob Jones High School where her art teacher and mentor, Melissa Hughey, introduced her to the discipline after having several former students enter the industrial design field.

The design project involved extensive research by students, including targeted market studies to discover the needs of those likely to use the product. Forrest also investigated slicing and grating methods of fruits and vegetables in Auburn’s food sciences kitchen lab. She even traveled to the well-respected College of Culinary Arts at Johnson & Wales University located in Charlotte, N.C., to observe future chefs handling their kitchen tools.

Microplane, the project’s corporate sponsor, financed the research, supplies and materials in exchange for Auburn student designers’ best efforts at more innovative concepts for a food grater, one in a line of Microplane home chef products.

After the first round of judging designs and student-made prototypes, judges recommended refinements. Students then made final presentations in Atlanta to Microplane representatives. Forrest’s design features numerous improvements beyond the standard grater including an ergonomic, over-molded rubber handle; feet that prevent slipping and allow easier cutting and tilting; a removable side panel for easier interior cleaning and a clear plastic slip-over storage cover to protect hands as well as Microplane’s patented stainless-steel cutting blades. Microplane honored Forrest’s entry by manufacturing the design and distributing the new grater exclusively through Williams-Sonoma stores and online.

“I find it gratifying to see how atypical solutions are appreciated. Designs that succeed in balancing high function with innovation and beauty bring satisfaction to me as a designer,” said Forrest.

Forrest’s successful experiences at Auburn earned her an internship at Inergi and following graduation, a position with the company. During her short time as a professional designer at Inergi, she has already been involved in the industrial design of several electronic devices, a wireless automated home lighting system, a body-worn vital sign and activity monitor and a variety of other innovative technologies.

Keith Savas, a design consultant of 21 years and Inergi senior product designer and director of sales, said of Forrest, “I find it amazing that someone so recently out of college has already landed a product in a global retail environment. Patricia is an excellent addition to our design team. We anticipate many more great things from her.”