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Groovystuff Announces Winner in Student Design Competition
October 27,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Case Goods on October 28, 2010
Appalachian State University student Lee Shan Beatrouse's table design was chosen the best among 23 entries in a design competition put together by
Groovystuff.
The competition was designed to give students real-word experience, a chance to earn royalties on successful design and a reason to choose the home furnishings industry upon graduation.
Twenty-three of the 110 students in ASUs Industrial Design and Furniture Design programs led by Professor Richard Prisco participated in the design competition. The challenge was learning how to work with reclaimed teak and other materials typical of the Groovystuff line. The students were required to design an environmentally-friendly product that reflects the Dick Idol brand http://www.dickidol.com and can be produced using sustainable manufacturing practices.
The design competition was an Olympic event for the 23 students involved from App State, and the talent was indescribable," said Chris Bruning, vice president of Groovystuff. "But as in any competitive race for Gold there can be only one winner, and that winner is Lee Shan Beatrouse!
Groovystuff assembled a panel of judges to review the student projects and presentations for inclusion in the modern rustic Dick Idol brand. Students were judged on practicality in production, marketability with regards to the MSRP, incorporation into the Dick Idol brand, and the professionalism of the students delivery. The panel of judges included: Ray Allegrezza of Furniture Today, Tracy Bulla of Home Accents Today, Jackie Hirschhaut of the
American
Home Furnishings Alliance, Steve Hodges of
Steve Hodges Associates,
Tracy Kalman of TR Designs, and Gray Penell of
Furnitureland South.
The vision behind this table is that of bringing the outdoors in," said Beatrouse. "Using a contrast of materials and textures gives this piece a unique feel. Influenced by the many styles of furniture produced by Groovystuff, I was able to design a coffee table with the versatility to accent a variety of living room spaces. This table implements reclaimed Thai farming equipment as well as teak root pieces, giving the table a very natural feel while maintaining a crisp and clean visual appeal.
In addition to the judging panel, Groovystuff posted the student designs on
Facebook for the public to comment on and vote. For the final voice in the voting competition, Groovystuff displayed each of the student models and design boards for the market attendees to vote on during the
High Point Market. All participants in the voting were eligible to receive a Warner Music Group Prize package that included the new release from Eric Clapton Clapton, Neil Young Le Noise, and Seal Commitment.
Beatrouse will receive a $500 cash reward for stage one of the contest. For stage two of the contest, Groovystuff will display the original drawings along with the finished product in April of 2011 so buyers can see the transformation of the concept into a fully executed consumer product.
"Groovystuff will then ask the attendees at market to comment and vote once againbut also for their order," Bruning said. "The final winning design will be the one with the top sales. That student designer will not only be included in the prestigious Dick Idol Legends collection, but will also win a $1,000 cash prize and a permanent royalty on all future sales of the product for life!