The 2022 Innovation + Design competition will culminate with the announcement of the winners at the “Meet the Designers” awards celebration held at 401 W. English on the Campus of Congdon Yards in High Point, on Thursday, September 22 at 7 p.m.
HIGH POINT —The International Society of Furniture Designers has assembled a panel of qualified professionals to review and evaluate the competitive Innovation + Design 2022 maker/designer entries. This furniture industry sponsored competition is designed to acknowledge professional designers who make their own product and the next generation of woodworking students who are anticipating a career in the custom wood and related home furnishings industries.
“We would like to thank and recognize this year’s esteemed panel of judges for using their industry expertise to review the Innovation + Design 2022 entries to select our finalists and winners,” said John Conrad, executive director of ISFD. “Our knowledgeable judges offer a combined 210-plus years of home furnishings experience covering upholstery and case good furniture design, interior design, engineering, product development and product manufacturing.
“With that said, after being selected as a finalist and winner, the designers and students will know that their outstanding work has been evaluated and deemed as the best in that category.”
Dale Green is the owner of Illusion Unlimited, offering contract services to every aspect of the furniture industry for the past 35 years. He works with designers on new product design, engineering and creating special finishes in residential and hospitality areas.
The executive director of the Minority Entrepreneurship Initiative, Dr. Bryle Henderson Hatch, lends his perspective as a business owner and interior designer. He also promotes educational events within the home furnishings industry.
Karla Jones relies on her 22-plus years as an interior designer along with the knowledge gleaned from being the executive director of the Bienenstock Furniture Library.
With more than 39 years of experience, Lewis Mabon is a master upholsterer with extensive woodworking knowledge who often builds what he designs. He has also designed and engineered furniture for residential, contract, healthcare, and hospitality industries.
Laura Niece is an accomplished designer who has had the honor of being awarded multiple ISFD Pinnacle Awards throughout her career. She is a senior furniture designer at Otto & Moore and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in furniture design from Kendall College of Art and Design.
Walt Ruffier is the executive director of The Generator at Congdon Yards. His background as a product launch engineer and then manufacturing engineer has given him extensive experience in all phases of metal work including sheet metal.
Taylor West is a Kendall College of Art and Design graduate and is now a partner at West Design Group based in High Point. With a strong background in woodworking and design, he appreciates the skill set that it takes to create, make, and finish a unique piece of art.
The Innovation + Design competition will culminate with the announcement of the winners at the “Meet the Designers” awards celebration held at 401 W. English on the Campus of Congdon Yards in High Point, on Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. Following the celebration, the winners’ and finalists’ projects will be on display Thursdays and Fridays from 3-7 p.m. and Saturdays from noon-7 p.m. at 401 W. English until Oct. 26.
On Oct. 22, from 3-6 p.m., ISFD will host a reception where industry executives, designers and merchants will be on hand to review the finalists’ projects for potential production opportunities. All are welcome to attend.
As an added benefit, this year’s finalists will be interviewed for the international podcast, Design Between the Lines, and the winners will be featured in industry publications. Category winners will also receive cash prizes ranging from $250 to $1,000. Best of show winners will receive Congdon Yards Generator gift cards to work on any project of their choice.
“Also, the finalists’ projects will be uniquely photographed by more than 25 area photographers participating in the Innovation + Design’s photographic competition and voted on by the exhibition visitors. These People’s Choice photography winners will be announced at a live celebration co-hosted with Theater Art Galleries (TAG) on October 13th from 5-7 pm also at 401 W. English,” Conrad concluded.
Innovation + Design 2022 is supported by ISFD, and partners: International Market Centers, High Point Market Authority, Furniture Today, Congdon Yards, Alderman Company, Phillips Collection, Bienenstock Furniture Library, IFDA, Theatre Art Galleries, HPXD, The Earl and Kathryn Congdon Family Foundation and Visit High Point.
Erica Hawbaker, associate editor for Furniture Today, is a recent graduate of the University of Iowa, with a degree in English and a writing certificate in publishing. In addition to bringing her writing talent to the editorial team, Erica will add her late-Millennial perspective.
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