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May 5, 2005
Industry Designers Judge Chair Design Competition
by Amy Ross
 Student
Ben Johnson, right, stands with his award-winning entry
in Appalachian
State University’s second annual
Chair Design Competition. |
 Second-place
winner Tighe Smalley, far right, discusses his multi-functional
piece with Century Furniture’s Bill
Faber, far left, and Bernhardt Furniture’s Todd Campbell. |
 Third-place winner Whitney Bradford with Bill Faber. (Appalachian
photos by University Photographer Mike Rominger) |
BOONE -- A lively turnout
and high-quality student work confirms the growth and success
of the Appalachian State University
Chair Design Competition. Ben Johnson’s “Staying Alive” chair
was chosen as first-place winner of the second annual event.
The competition was judged by industry designers Charlie Sutton,
Bill
Faber and Todd Campbell at the Broyhill Inn April 28.
“All entries were absolutely terrific,” said Faber, designer
from Century Furniture. “The talent and creativity is just
incredible.”
Johnson, who is double majoring in business management and furniture
studies, was selected out of 21 candidates for the $3,000 first-place
prize. Johnson said he chose a design that was creative and comfortable
for all body types. His chair won for its creativity, innovation
and decorative detail.
“There is a difference between creativity and craft – this
chair is a craft,” said Campbell, designer from Bernhardt
Furniture. “It is apparent the balance in the chair, how
it was made, and the aesthetics that went into the final project.”
Tighe Smalley, who is double majoring in business management
and furniture studies, took the second-place prize of $2,000
for his “Ralph
Wiggums Three-legged Pump Chair.” Smalley’s chair,
which is designed for children, is a multi-functional piece that
includes a drawing table, drawer and seating bench. He suggested
the chair be marketed for a doctor’s waiting room.
“The design is an adventurous use of materials, unique joinery – joints
I have never seen before,” said Campbell. “(Smalley)
takes an essentially simple element and creates something beautiful.”
Faber said he predicts a similar design at High Point’s
Furniture Market in the near future.
Whitney Bradford’s artistic “Philis” won the
$1,000 third-place prize. Bradford, who is double majoring in furniture
studies and business marketing, named her chair after a family
friend who covered her furniture in plastic, which gave Bradford
the idea of making “unnatural upholstery.” She built
the chair out of wood and designed it to feel like upholstery.
“This chair had amazing workmanship, the wood curves to the body
and shows perfect symmetry,” said Faber. “Sometimes
it pays to be willing to go out on a limb with design.”
All three students have scholarships from the American Home Furnishing
Alliance (AHFA), the world's largest and most active trade association
solely dedicated to the advancement of the United States’ furniture
industry.
“I am so proud of where Appalachian is and where it is headed,” said
Sutton, president of Sutton House Furniture. “It is remarkable
how talented these students have become.” ###
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