Groovystuff partners with The Art Institute LV for student product design challenge

Home Accents Today Staff -- Home Accents Today, 12/13/2010 3:35:19 PM

Groovystuff has partnered with The Art Institute of Las Vegas for a design challenge that gives students real-world experience, a chance to earn design royalties and a reason to choose the home furnishings industry after Groovystuff debuted the results of a similar design challenge, with Appalachian State University students, at the Fall High Point Market.graduation.

Thirteen students from The Art Institute's interior design, graphic design and drafting technology and design programs, facilitated by Career Advisor and Job Development Coordinator Grace Shurley, participated in the challenge and will debut their final class projects at the January Las Vegas Market.

This past fall, students from the three curriculums were charged with designing a piece of "modern rustic" furniture for Groovystuff's newly licensed Dick Idol Legends collection. Their challenge was to work with reclaimed teak and other components typical of the Groovystuff line to design an environmentally-friendly product that reflects the Dick Idol brand and can be produced using sustainable manufacturing practices.

"We need to embrace these talented young students from across the country and encourage them to seek a career in the home furnishings industry. If we are going to appeal to Gen X and Gen Y consumers, we need designers with a fresh, young perspective," said Chris Bruning, co-founder of Groovystuff.

Buyers visiting the Groovystuff showroom this market will have the opportunity to participate in the development of the student designs by voting, commenting, and modifying the models to suite the various markets they serve. Everyone who votes will be eligible to receive a Warner Music Group Prize Package, mailed directly to them from the label, that includes The 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Concerts DVD (3 DVD Set), a prize package of Grammy-nominated Artists from the 53rd Grammy Awards, and music from the Warner Music Group 2011 New Release Catalog.

Judging for the competition will be based on the popular vote at market combined with the votes collected on www.facebook.com/groovystuff. The student design with the most popular votes will receive a $500 cash reward.

Groovystuff will then produce the student designs and determine the grand prize winner by measuring which generates the most sales at the August 2011 Las Vegas Market.

"In August, we will display the original drawings along with the finished product so buyers can see the transformation of the concept into a fully executed consumer product. We'll ask the buyers once again for their comments and votes - but also for their order. The final winning design will be the one with the top sales," Bruning said. "That student will not only win a $1,000 cash prize and a permanent royalty on all future sales, but will also be included in the prestigious and celebrity endorsed Dick Idol Legends Collection."