Kansas State University

January 27, 2015

Department Head Notes

This semester we have a wonderful opportunity brought to us through our IAPD Advisory Board and through the leadership of Adam Stover, Amie Keener, and Erin Hurd. We have 6-5th year students involved in a course titled Production Furniture for the Contract Market - working in teams to develop design proposals for a family of contract furniture. Through an incredible display of coordination, agility, and cooperation; we are enjoying the knowledge and hospitality of Doug Shapiro with OFS Brands as we tour their facilities, hear the story and business acumen of the owners, and witness the family spirit and quality of the process and product. This morning we will meet with product engineers, product development, and marketing strategists to learn about the entire process of product development. Yesterday, not only did we tour each of the facilities (think of our shops magnified by 100!), but we learned about their sustainable forestry techniques. Truly a magnificent experience and tremendous learning opportunity.

I trust you each learned about the new Seaton in the all-college forum last Friday and if you have particular comments please let me know. We have much in store during the coming weeks! 

5th Year Reviews 

If you have a chance, stop by the IAPD Crit Space and McGraw Room on Friday, January 30th to see the 5th year's Generative Intention displays. The displays will be up from 8:30 - 12 pm for you to review. This is a great way for you to see what each 5th year will be focusing on for their final project. 

IAPD Student in the Press

Congratulations once again to Emma Montgomery. She is being featured on the Interior Design magazine website for her Steelcase Design competition win. Read their article about her here!

Visiting Scholar

Welcome to Professor Li Lin who is a visiting scholar from China. She arrived in Manhattan last week with her family and is excited to join us for 2015. 

Professor Li Lin comes to us with a background in Industrial Design as well as a knowledge of traditional Chinese furniture. We are looking forward to all the knowledge she has to bring to our department and hope you all welcome her and her family. 

Upcoming Lecture

Matt Urbanski will be giving the 2015 Ekdahl Lecture this Thursday, January 29th at 4pm. Please try to attend in the Little Theater at this time.

Matthew is a Principal of MVVA where he has worked for over two decades. Along with Michael and Laura, he has been part of the project leadership for almost every major project the firm has completed. He has planned and designed landscapes in the United States, Canada, and France, including waterfronts, parks, college campuses, sculpture gardens, and private gardens.

5th Year Announcement 

Don't forget the Graduate works page is due FEBRUARY 9th.

We will be at the top of Pierce Commons between 10:00am and 1:00pm to collect your files and any book orders. Please send any questions to Rebecca Roberts rrob1992@ksu.edu, Sarah Swaim smswain@ksu.edu, or Ashley Brewster ambrust@ksu.edu.

It is our goal to have every 5th year represented in this book that will be distributed to firms at the Design Expo! For an example of a page, click here. 

Scholarship Deadline

Are you interested in a chance for one of APDesign or KSU's many scholarship opportunities? Make sure you fill out theApplication for K-State Scholarship by February 1st! 

Design Competition

The 2015 Shermin-Williams Stir Student Design Challenge is coming up soon! The contest has two categories: residential design and commercial design. The top winner from each category will receive a $2,500 cash prize. Second-place winners will win a $1,000 cash prize, and third-place winners will win a $500 cash prize. 


For more information about this challenge, click here. 

For information about other design competitions, click here. 

Internships and Employment