Design students earn top spots in design competition

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

(Stillwater, OK   September 16, 2009) - Oklahoma State University College of Human Environmental Sciences students Rebekah Thompsen and Kristin Grant earned top spots in the 2009 Dallas Regional Teknion Student Design Competition last spring. 

Students from numerous universities submitted proposals to redesign the office of Paul Rosowski, Teknion's Central Region Vice President.  The winners were announced Aug. 27 at MetroCon, a furnishing and office design conference in Dallas.

Thompsen, a design, housing and merchandising junior with option in interior design from Ponca City, Okla., received second place with her design.  She was awarded the chair of her choice from Teknion's seating product lines.

"In redesigning the office of Teknion's Central Region Vice President, my goal was to enhance the existing layout while creating something new and stimulating. The overall feeling of the space is one of light and refreshment so that guests/clients will feel welcome and at home while the primary occupant will feel energized and productive."

Grant, also a junior in design, housing and merchandising with option in interior design from Winfield, Kan., placed third with her design and received an iPod Nano.

"The style of the space created for Paul Rosowski's private office at Teknion's Dallas Showroom was meant to be a tranquil but professional work environment. The space was designed to bring together these two concepts into a unique harmony that would make an updated office space for the client."

Stephen Walsh, from the University of North Texas, won the competition and will be taking a two-day trip to Toronto, Canada to discuss his design with Teknion’s product developers.

“I was exceptionally proud of our students to place in two of the three awards categories from design schools within the Texas and Oklahoma region,” said Rick Bartholomew, visiting assistant professor of interior design at OSU. “These types of recognition will definitely benefit the students’ career opportunities as well as our interior design program, department, college and the university.”

The judges for the contest included Teknion’s World Market President and Product Developers from Canada, officials from the U.S. Headquarters in New Jersey, and a number of interior designers within the industry.

Thompsen and Grant participated in the competition as part of Design, Housing and Merchandising 2243 – Studio II, Design of Interior Components during the spring 2009 semester.

To learn more about the College of Human Environmental Sciences visit http://www.ches.okstate.edu.