Davis Furniture proudly announces its recent sponsorship of the Furniture Design Build Studio at the University of Oklahoma, a hands-on course inspiring the next generation of designers through experiential learning. Held during the Fall 2024 semester at the University’s Gibbs College of Architecture, the studio brought together 17 senior Interior Design students who designed, constructed, and showcased original furniture pieces. This year’s course also featured a competition challenging students to craft complementary designs for Davis Furniture’s Elements line of interior accessories, which includes coat hooks, planters, lighting, and more. The goal of this competition was to challenge students’ creativity and technical skills within a real-world design framework rather than to generate market-ready products; therefore, these student-designed prototypes will remain conceptual and will not be produced or added to Davis Furniture’s commercial offerings.
Through this studio, led by Chelsea Holcomb, Associate Professor in Interior Design, students gained a comprehensive understanding of the design process—from concept development to full-scale fabrication. The course also benefited from the involvement of Joseph Namyst, Creative Director of Davis Furniture and a member of the University of Oklahoma’s Interior Design Program’s Professional Advisory Board. Namyst provided expert mentorship through critiques, lectures, and one-on-one sessions, helping students align their work with Davis Furniture’s product offering and brand identity.
Exploring Creativity, Craftsmanship, and Client Collaboration
This studio course not only introduced students to furniture design and fabrication but also gave them the opportunity to collaborate with a real-world company. Working with Davis Furniture allowed students to develop designs that aligned with an established brand, balancing creativity with strategic thinking.
“Having Davis Furniture as the client for this course provided our students with an invaluable opportunity to learn how to design within the parameters of an established brand,” said Elizabeth Pober, Director of the Division of Interior Design and Associate Professor. “This experience enhanced their design skills while teaching them to think strategically about aligning their creativity with real-world business goals. Collaborating with a company of Davis Furniture’s caliber prepares our students to meet the challenges of professional design settings and equips them with the confidence to succeed in their future careers.”
Hands-On Learning and Technical Skill Development
Students worked through multiple phases of development, starting with sketches and scale models and progressing to full-size cardboard prototypes. Final pieces were constructed at the university’s Creating Making Lab, where students used tools like CNC machines, laser cutters, and welding equipment to bring their designs to life.
“This course empowers students by giving them a tangible understanding of construction and design,” said Holcomb. “They leave with the confidence to collaborate with vendors and contractors, understand how designs come to life, and communicate effectively with clients.”
A Celebration of Innovation and Excellence
The semester concluded with the “Art in Function” Furniture Design Exhibition at MAINSITE Contemporary Art Gallery, where students showcased their final pieces alongside catalogs documenting their design journeys.
Two designs were recognized for their exceptional quality and alignment with Davis Furniture’s Elements line:
• Mable Hu received the Best Design Award for her aesthetically striking and functional piece that seamlessly integrated into the Elements collection.
• Avery Eggers earned the Best Marketing Catalogue Award for her visually engaging catalog, effectively telling the story behind her design.
“These students exemplified the ability to merge creativity and functionality while aligning their work with real-world branding and storytelling,” said Namyst.
Building Skills for the Future
For many students, this studio was their first opportunity to bridge the gap between digital design and hands-on fabrication while working with a client. Davis Furniture’s sponsorship of the program reflects its commitment to fostering future design talent and advancing the field of furniture design through innovation, craftsmanship, and real-world collaboration.
“Our commitment to supporting emerging talent aligns with Davis Furniture’s legacy of fostering innovation and craftsmanship,” said Namyst. “Collaborating with these students was an inspiring experience, as they transformed their concepts into tangible, functional designs while embracing the principles of materiality, storytelling, and designer-client relationships.”
Through its sponsorship, Davis Furniture reaffirms its dedication to empowering future designers and advancing the field of furniture design. By fostering creativity, craftsmanship, and real-world collaboration, this partnership lays the foundation for a dynamic and sustainable future in design.
About Davis Furniture
Founded in 1944, Davis Furniture is a leading voice in the contract furniture industry focused on placing Design at the center of every initiative while looking to the future of the workplace. Davis offers cutting-edge, innovative and aesthetically pleasing products designed and manufactured to benefit the functionality of the user and the interior. This fourth-generation, family-operated company continues to maintain the highest corporate integrity, a devoted loyalty to its customers and a never-ending dedication to design. www.davisfurniture.com
About University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. For more information about the university, visit www.ou.edu.
The Gibbs College of Architecture is recognized for its high-performing alumni, award-winning teaching, and significant research in planning, design and construction. Together, we imagine a future in which all communities are designed for resiliency and empowered to maximize their social, economic and environmental well-being.
The Division of Interior Design provides a student-centric learning environment with diverse faculty who emphasize excellence in design education, innovative research, and service to the community while preparing students to join the professional practice of interior design.