Popular Winner Named in Groovystuff Design Challenge

August 21, 2012  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Green on August 22, 2012

Yue Dai from the Industrial Design Department at Purdue University has won the popular vote in Groovystuff's Design Challenge at Las Vegas Furniture Market.

Dai competed against 17 other Industrial Design students at Purdue University, under the leadership of Professor Laura Drake, to design an environmentally friendly lighting product that reflects the Dick Idol brand audience, and can be produced using sustainable manufacturing practices.

Students produced miniature models and product display boards for market attendees to vote on. "RiSe" by Yue Dai was voted "most versatile and most likely to show a profit" by retailers, interior designers and trade professionals attending the Las Vegas market.
 
According to Dai, the "RiSe" table lamp is a growing-looking wall lamp that can fit both inside and outside of an entrance. The design is based on a half wagon wheel, the aligned curvy teak spread out, emulating the rising sun. Without taking too much space, "'RiSe' decorates your wall or table with its vivacious look, and creates a warm and lively atmosphere for your home," she said. "I'm so exciting that my design was chosen as the popular vote winner. I'm very happy that my 'RiSe won approval of professionals."
 
Dai will receive a $250 cash prize for her popular vote design, and will be one of the finalists at the Jan. 28-Feb. 1 Las Vegas Furniture Market, where she will compete with the other popular vote designs from Purdue University for the grand prize to the Groovystuff Challenge: $500 cash, inclusion in the celebrity endorsed Dick Idol Legends brand of home furnishings, and permanent royalties for life.
 
For the High Point Furniture Market, Groovystuff and co-sponsor International Market Centers are helping to broaden the educational outreach of university programs across the country by giving them real world market experience in "The University Hall of Innovation and Job Creation," and a platform to build on their association with the industry prior to graduation.
 
Founded in 1998 by Chris Bruning, Dallas-based Groovystuff designs, produces, and distributes unique reclaimed teakwood home furnishings at upper-medium and high-end price points.