North Carolina State students take up Groovystuff's Design Challenge

Cindy W. Hodnett -- Furniture Today -- Home Accents Today, 9/27/2012 11:49:11 AM

These North Carolina State University students will compete in Groovystuff’s latest product design challenge.RALEIGH, N.C. -- Fifteen students at North Carolina State University will jump-start their design careers through an education-to-industry collaboration between the NCSU industrial design department and Groovystuff, a Dallas-based home furnishings company.

During the Groovystuff by Design Product Design Challenge, students will design a furniture, lighting or home décor product using reclaimed materials with a focus on form, structure and sustainable manufacturing practices.

Professor Bong Il Jin will advise the students, assisting them with the development of product designs that emphasize innovation and appealing aesthetics yet are appropriate for mass production.

The design challenge will also provide retailers and interior designers with a first look at products made specifically for the emerging Gen Y consumers.

In the first stage of the contest, the N.C. State students will compete to win the most votes from retailers, designers and other trade professionals at next April's High Point Market. Vying for a cash prize, they'll submit a product board and a scale model to be put on display.

In stage two, Groovystuff will put the designs into production and introduce them at the October 2013 High Point Market. Students will then compete for the grand prize - most written orders at market - which includes an additional cash prize, inclusion in the company's Dick Idol Legends Collection and royalties on sales.

Groovystuff co-sponsors the University Hall of Innovation & Job Creation with IMC at the High Point Market. The space, in Suites at Market Square 1-836, provides students with networking opportunities at market prior to graduation.