Giving back: WilsonartChallenges Student Chair Design Competition

(Sponsored) This post was sponsored on behalf of Wilsonart. All opinions are my own.

image via Architizer

The winner is “Prelude” for the 12th Anual Wilsonart Challenges Competition.

Actually each student who participted is a winner. Each year the Wilsonart conducts the WilsonartChallange in collaboration with a design school to create a unique chair using the Wilsonart Laminate Collection. This year Wilsonart partnered with the College for Creative Studies located in Detroit, Michigan to have students create their own one-of-a-kind chairs. The winning submittal this year for the 2016 WisonartChallanges was was Stephen Marchio with his “Prelude Chair”. Stephen along with 5 other notable design students was flown to NYC to display at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair.

WilsonartChallanges, design competition, winning students from the College for Creative Studies. Let’s go

I love that Wilsonart is fostering young designers for our competitive industry. This more than just a design competition. These students are learning everything from a setting up a photo shoot to creating a media packet to displaying at a trade show the big reveal and interacting at design shows like ICFF to further their opportunities and their future as a designer after school is out.

WilsonartChallanges, design competition, winning students from the College for Creative Studies.

Grace Jeffers, historian and Program Director atWilsonart, is the client, the judge and a mentor to these rising stars. She challenges the designers and supports them every inch of the way. She gives her time and energy, something more valuable than money.

@christinekohtinteriors @gracejeffers @decorarts @reginasturrock @gimletstyle visit @wilsonart

The golden ring, of course, is the full paid trip to NYC for ICFF. This challenge has such a positive impact on the future of these design careers, launching them into the workforce with this valuable opportunity ensuring their success. DesighHounds are inspired by these smiling stars and are honored to be here today at the show sharing their stories, work, and ideas. Grace is aligning these students to their career path and respects our industry with her hard work and support with this competition.