Groovystuff reported that Yue Dai from the Industrial Design Department at Purdue University has been recognized for her innovative contribution to the home furnishings industry by placing first in the ''By Design: Connecting Education and Industry, Popular Vote at Market'' design challenge at the Las Vegas World Market July 31 – August 3, 2012.
Yue competed against seventeen 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 Ms. Dai, the ''RiSe'' table lamp is a growing looking wall lamp which 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 of your room, "RiSe" decorates your wall or table with its vivacious look, and creates a warm and lively atmosphere for your home.''
According Ms. Dai, ''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. "
Ms. Dai will receive a $250 cash prize for her popular vote design, and will be one of the finalists at the Winter Las Vegas Furniture market, January 28 – February 1, 2013, 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 Market, Groovystuff along with co-sponsor IMC properties 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.
About Groovystuff: Founded in 1998 by Chris Bruning, Groovystuff designs, produces, and distributes unique reclaimed teakwood home furnishings at upper-medium and high-end price points. Based in Dallas, it has permanent showrooms in High Point, NC (The Suites at Market Square, G-1025), Las Vegas (World Market Center, B-146), Dallas, TX (Dallas World Trade Center, 6th Floor, Showroom 6684), and once a year at the International Casual Furniture Market in Chicago, IL (The Merchandise Mart, No. 8-4046). For more information, please visit www.groovystuff.com or www.facebook.com/groovystuff.
Committed to sustainable manufacturing and environmental accountability, Groovystuff's vision is to assist its retail customers in growing their businesses sustainably. Designed for today's lifestyles and inspired by yesterday's antiquities, Groovystuff now offers Seven unique residential collections: Prairie, Iron Horse, Adirondack, Back to the Roots, Kodiak, Rocky Mountain, and the recently launched Antares Lighting Collection. Each group features pieces designed with the foundation of style, value, longevity and preservation of natural resources.
