Daily News
From Home Furnishing Business
ICFA Renews Richard Frinier Design Scholarship for 2021
January 11,
2021 by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Designer Weekly, Industry 
The International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA) has renewed the Richard Frinier Design Scholarship program initiated four years ago, following cancellation in 2020 due to challenges of the pandemic. At the same time, the renowned designer and his wife and business partner, Catherine, have increased the scholarship award to $2,500.
The annual product design competition was created to inspire and encourage students of design to create innovative outdoor living spaces for residential, contract and hospitality environments. Frinier’s award-winning and internationally-acclaimed career of over 35 years includes the design of signature pieces that are among the most recognized and best-selling in the casual furniture industry.
“We wish to encourage the work of young designers and help them to discover the vast opportunities to bring the quality of indoor living outside and the casual spirit of the outdoors inside,” said Frinier.
Complete entry information has been distributed to professors at some 40 colleges and universities across the country. Students were invited to develop products in the furnishings, textile, lighting and accessories categories. Online submissions, including a thorough concept statement and product sketches, will be judged by a panel of high-profile professionals in the design community after the May 31, 2021 deadline.