Purdue student wins latest Groovystuff design challenge

Alex Lemonde-Gray -- Furniture Today, August 22, 2012

DALLAS — Yue Dai, a student in the Industrial Design Department at Purdue University, has won Groovystuff's By Design: Connecting Education and Industry design challenge at the summer Las Vegas Market by popular vote, the company announced.

Design challenge winner Yue Dai presented this product board along with a model of her design in the Groovystuff showroom at the summer Las Vegas Market.

Dai's RiSe table and wall lamp were voted Most Versatile and Most Likely to Show a Profit by retailers, interior designers and other trade professionals attending the market.

RiSe takes inspiration from a half wagon wheel, with curvy teak ornaments coming out from the body, meant to emulate the rising sun. Light bulbs are placed within the lamp's base, directing light out toward the sun ray ornaments.

Groovystuff, a producer of reclaimed teak home furnishings, said Dai will receive a $250 cash prize and will be a finalist in the ongoing Groovystuff Challenge. Her design will compete against other popular vote winning entries at the winter Las Vegas Market, Jan. 28-Feb. 1. The grand prize winner will receive a $500 cash prize and the design will be included in Groovystuff's Dick Idol Legends line, with the winning designer receiving royalties.

Dai competed against 17 other Industrial Design students at Purdue University, under the leadership of Professor Laura Drake, to design an environmentally friendly lighting product. The design had to reflect the Dick Idol brand and be produced using sustainable manufacturing practices.

Contestants created miniature models and product display boards, which were showcased in Groovystuff's showroom for market attendees to vote on.