Room & Board Announces Student Design Competion Winner

Furniture World Magazine

Room & Board announced that a winner has been selected in their annual furniture design competition in conjunction with the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD). Current MCAD senior Brian Lee triumphed over eight other entrants for the $1,500 cash prize with his design for the “Swivvie,” a multi-functional media storage cabinet with the potential to be manufactured from eco-friendly materials. Additionally, his design will be considered for future implementation and production by the Room & Board design team. The award was presented yesterday at the 11th Annual MCAD Partnership and Scholarship Luncheon, held at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in Minneapolis. Since 2003, Room & Board has sponsored the MCAD design award to support and encourage the continuing education and development of talented young designers. The Stow, a media console whose design won this competition in the past, is in current production with Room & Board. Led by vendor resource manager Steve Freeman, a panel of Room & Board associates from the Design, Merchandising and Retail divisions judged this year’s competition. “This year’s focus was on creating multi-functional storage and office solutions from sustainable and eco-friendly new materials,” Freeman said. “It was great to see the students incorporate so many great new materials into their work!” In addition to the $1,500 design prize, Room & Board has pledged $10,000 per year for the next three years to support a new Digital Fabrication Lab and has donated $5,000 to a Room & Board Scholarship Fund in 2007. About Room & Board: Room & Board is a Minneapolis-based furniture retailer offering unique home furnishings that combine timeless design and exceptional quality. For more than 25 years, Room & Board professionals have helped people furnish their homes, translating their passion for well-designed home furnishings into outstanding value. Room & Board has stores in Minneapolis, Denver, Chicago, Orange County, San Francisco and New York, and makes its unique collection of home furnishings available nationally through Shop Room & Board From Home. For more information on Room & Board, visit www.roomandboard.com or call 800-486-6554 to order a catalog. About Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD): The Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) has been creating art on the cutting edge for well over a century. Recognized nationally and internationally for its innovative approaches, it offers concentrations in advertising, animation, comic art, drawing, filmmaking, fine arts, graphic design, furniture design, illustration, interactive media, painting, photography, print paper book, and sculpture. MCAD is home to more than 750 students pursuing B.F.A., B.S. and M.F.A. degrees. It also offers continuing studies courses, online education and youth programs, as well as free exhibitions and lectures.