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(Photos by William Riehm)

Students in Assistant Professor William Riem’s furniture design class were recently presented with a challenge that came with not-your-typical trophy.

Students were tasked with designing a piece of furniture that would be appropriate for use in a one- to four-star hotel. The winner would get the chance to have his/her design prototyped by a local furniture manufacturer, Eaton Custom Seating (ECS).

Riehm said the goal of the project was for students to learn the various ranges of that market.

“What’s trend and what’s style,” he said, “And for them to learn how to make the appropriate drawings so that their design can actually be made.”

Students submitted digital drawings, 3D model renderings and a miniature 3D print of their designs.

Riehm then reviewed the work with Susan Sublette with Maharam, who also donated the upholstery fabric to help make the project a reality. Maharam is a leading creator of textiles for commercial and residential interiors.

Top designs were submitted to ECS, and the company selected the winner with the most appropriate design for the market place, which was created by senior interior design student Bobbie Rogers of New Albany.

Rogers’s chair has since been fabricated and sits in the interior design building in Etheredge Hall.