Furniture designers balance aesthetic and conceptual concerns with practical and functional requirements to create large-scale objects and furnishings society uses to organize and enhance environments.
At SCAD, furniture design students master the fundamentals and learn the design processes through which products are conceived, developed, fabricated and marketed. Student designs are evaluated for style, comfort, utility and durability through the creation of computer renderings, scale models or prototypes.
At SCAD, furniture design students master the fundamentals and learn the design processes through which products are conceived, developed, fabricated and marketed. Student designs are evaluated for style, comfort, utility and durability through the creation of computer renderings, scale models or prototypes.
SCAD is the only academic member of the Sustainable Furnishings Council, a nonprofit group that promotes sustainable practices among manufacturers, retailers and consumers. Furniture design students are encouraged to seek new applications for traditional practices and consider issues of sustainability in materials, process and practice.
Opportunities for industry collaboration and domestic and international exhibitions of student work form a valuable aspect of the program at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Students have participated in industry-sponsored projects with the Italian Trade Commission, 220 Elm and High Point Market in North Carolina, Natuzzi, DeRose Design, Urban Outfitters, Impact Consulting Services, Pinnacle Design, Steelcase, Wilsonart International, Eastman Chemical Company, Corian, Hickory Business Furniture, and The Merchandise Mart.
Students may exhibit their work at national and international furniture trade shows including the Architectural Digest Home Show, High Point Market, the International Contemporary Furniture Fair, the NeoCon World's Trade Fair, the Milan Furniture Fair and Salon du Mueble Paris.
The Gulfstream Center for Design in Savannah is a 44,000-square-foot facility with extensive woodworking and metal fabrication studios, bench rooms, a plastics working laboratory, welding facility, painting booth and advanced technology lab.
The advanced technology lab includes five-axis computer numerically-controlled equipment for rapid prototyping and production. Computer resources, including AutoCAD, Autodesk Studio, Adobe CS5 Master Collection, SolidWorks and Rhino 3-D, complement computer-aided fabrication equipment, a laser cutter and 3-D printers, offering vital instruction in the use of industry-standard technology.
The SCAD furniture design department received the 2009 award for Best International Furniture Design Program the Young & Design competition, celebrated at the Milan Furniture Fair.
River Club, 3 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Savannah, Georgia
The SCAD furniture design department presents the first summit uniting designers and manufacturers. This forum will focus on the past, present and future of the American furniture industry.
The Savannah furniture and architectural tour is sponsored by ASFD.
Registration
Opportunities for industry collaboration and domestic and international exhibitions of student work form a valuable aspect of the program at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Students have participated in industry-sponsored projects with the Italian Trade Commission, 220 Elm and High Point Market in North Carolina, Natuzzi, DeRose Design, Urban Outfitters, Impact Consulting Services, Pinnacle Design, Steelcase, Wilsonart International, Eastman Chemical Company, Corian, Hickory Business Furniture, and The Merchandise Mart.
Students may exhibit their work at national and international furniture trade shows including the Architectural Digest Home Show, High Point Market, the International Contemporary Furniture Fair, the NeoCon World's Trade Fair, the Milan Furniture Fair and Salon du Mueble Paris.
The Gulfstream Center for Design in Savannah is a 44,000-square-foot facility with extensive woodworking and metal fabrication studios, bench rooms, a plastics working laboratory, welding facility, painting booth and advanced technology lab.
The advanced technology lab includes five-axis computer numerically-controlled equipment for rapid prototyping and production. Computer resources, including AutoCAD, Autodesk Studio, Adobe CS5 Master Collection, SolidWorks and Rhino 3-D, complement computer-aided fabrication equipment, a laser cutter and 3-D printers, offering vital instruction in the use of industry-standard technology.
The SCAD furniture design department received the 2009 award for Best International Furniture Design Program the Young & Design competition, celebrated at the Milan Furniture Fair.
Furniture Design Summit:
"Re-defining American Design"
River Club, 3 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Savannah, Georgia
The SCAD furniture design department presents the first summit uniting designers and manufacturers. This forum will focus on the past, present and future of the American furniture industry.
The Savannah furniture and architectural tour is sponsored by ASFD.
Registration
- SCAD furniture design students - Free
- SCAD students in other programs - Free
- SCAD faculty and staff - Free
- Academic or professional - $80
- ASFD member - $70
Sunday, May 8: ASFD Member Day
- 2-3 p.m.: Conference check-in for ASFD members (name badge and program information), Avia Hotel.
- 3-5 p.m.: Savannah furniture and architectural tour led by SCAD professors. Tour bus will depart from the Avia Hotel. Limited to 30 guests.
- 7 p.m.: Member Dinner, Vic's on the River.
Monday, May 9: U.S. Furniture Industry: Present and Future
- 8 a.m. Registration
- 9 a.m. Welcome by Herbert Brito, dean of the School of Building Arts and Colin Jones, president, SCAD Furniture Design Club
- 9-10 a.m. Presentations by SCAD B.F.A. furniture design students Colin Jones, Jacquelyn Springer and Joseph Willet
- 10 a.m. Introduction by George Perez, professor of furniture design | Presentation by Gregg Buchbinder of Emeco, The Importance of Design at Emeco
- 11 a.m. Break
- 11:15 a.m. Introduction by Bob Bazemore, professor of furniture design | Presentation by Jay Reardon of Hickory Chair, Hickory Chair from Concept to Production
- 12:15 a.m. Break for lunch (on your own)
- 2 p.m. Introduction by Shelia Edwards, professor of furniture design | Presentation by Alan Heller of Heller Inc., Innovations in Furniture Design
- Break
- 3:30 p.m. Panel discussion - The Business of Design Introduction by Herbert Brito, dean of the School of Building Arts | Panel: Alan Heller of Heller Inc., Jay Reardon of Hickory Chair and Bob Bazemore, professor of furniture design
- 5 p.m. Q&A moderated by Susan Szenasy of Metropolis
- 5:30 p.m. Student mentoring session with Jay Reardon of Hickory Chair
Tuesday, May 10: Where Are the American Furniture Designers?
- 9 a.m. Introduction by George Perez, professor of furniture design | Presentations by SCAD M.F.A. furniture design students Katy Skelton, Mark Leveno and Ryan Osborne
- 10 a.m.. Introduction by Jason Wech, professor of furniture design | Presentation by Eames Demetrios, designer, author and filmmaker, Icons of Furniture Design
- 11 a.m. Break
- 11:15 a.m. Introduction by John Pierson, professor of furniture design | Presentation by Susan Szenasy of Metropolis, Rising Stars of American Design
- 12:15 p.m. Break for lunch | SCAD tour with box lunch option: preregistration required
- 3 p.m. Break
- 3:30 p.m. Panel discussion - Past, Present and Future of American Furniture Design Introduction. Introduction by Jason Wech, professor of furniture design | Panel: Eames Demetrios and Jenny Heizen York of Furniture Today Moderator: Susan Szenasy of Metropolis
- 5 p.m. Q&A moderated by Susan Szenasy of Metropolis
- 5:30 p.m. Conclusion by Susan Szenasy of Metropolis
- 5:45 p.m. Student mentoring session with Eames Demetrios, designer, author and filmmaker
Accommodations
SCAD reserved a limited block of rooms at the hotels below. Please mention the furniture design summit when making your reservation. Special rates will expire on April 15.
SCAD reserved a limited block of rooms at the hotels below. Please mention the furniture design summit when making your reservation. Special rates will expire on April 15.
- Avia Hotel, 14 Barnard St., Savannah, GA 31401. 912.233.2116. $139 per night.
- Inn at Ellis Square, 201 W. Bay St., Savannah, GA 31401. 912.236.4440. $119 per night.
