The company launched its inaugural Distinction in Design program in 2010, searching three continents for one or more premiere senior-level design students to become part of the company’s design team. The program offers an opportunity to recognize young, passionate furniture designers and offer them once-in-a-lifetime employment opportunities.

The company contacted the leading design schools in the U.S., Europe and Australia and invited their students to submit a design brief and product renderings for consideration.

“The goal of our Distinction in Design program is to recognize the finest young furniture designers across the globe and to have them join us in defining and redefining today’s living spaces,” said Harvey Dondero, CEO at Theodore Alexander. “We’re looking forward to having Golombisky join our team.”

Golombisky was required to prepare a furniture design inspired by one of three historical references along with a specification for the designer’s use. The submissions were presented to a jury of renowned furniture experts representing the fields of product design, interior design, retail, marketing and manufacturing.

Golombisky, who also is a Celia Moh Scholarship winner, will graduate in December with a degree in furniture design. As the winner, he will travel to the Theodore Alexander facility in Vietnam to oversee the sampling and finishing of his design. Theodore Alexander and Kendall worked together to create an independent study abroad and internship program for Golombisky so he can begin working with Theodore Alexander in the fall as an intern and transition to a full-time designer-in-residence upon his graduation.

A longtime Pine Rest employee, LaRue’s exhibition kicks off a yearlong centennial celebration by the Pine Rest Leep Art Gallery focusing on staff members and their artistic work. His show signifies the restorative and comforting aspects of the everyday places in everyday environments. LaRue says, “I tried to make compositions that provide greater meaning than what one would expect from a mere transcription of a scene into paint. ‘Everyday Sanctuaries’ demonstrates that the sense of wonder and the profound can be experienced not only through a religious service, but also in the most humble settings.”

After graduation, LaRue straddled the commercial and fine arts fence, working in both approaches and garnering many competition awards. His work has been featured in numerous galleries and has travelled to various parts of the globe where it is in private, corporate and public collections.

From Midland, MI, Brown works at IDEO in Boston. He got his Masters in Interaction Design from the Umeå Institute of Design in Umeå, Sweden. Matt's work can be seen on his website, and on his blog.

Since 1995, Core77.com has served a devoted global audience of industrial designers ranging from students through seasoned professionals. Core77 publishes articles, discussion forums, an extensive event calendar, hosts portfolios, job listings, a database of design firms, schools, vendors and services. Core77 provides a gathering point for designers and enthusiasts alike by producing design competitions, lecture series, parties, and exhibits.

In late July, Renato will be in England with jeweler Courtney Starrett, presenting a lecture called “Remote Resources: Contemporary Collaboration & Production in a Post-Studio Age” at the Association for Contemporary Jewellery summer conference as well as scouting for a Summer 2011 travel abroad program. In September he will travel with a delegation of professional jewelers to China with artist Mary Lee Hu.

Indonesia Internet users are familiar with the kaskus.us community forum, which is an online forum for the exchange of information as well as a market for users from various communities based on mutual interests and hobbies.

Wirianto is chief marketing officer of PT Darta Media Indonesia and one of the key people behind its online community forum, which is the sixth most frequently accessed site among Indonesian Internet users. Oei Wirianto returned to his native Indonesia in 2003, and joined the company in March 2008.

Cadwallader has an upcoming exhibition at the Button-Petter Gallery in Saugatuck, MI, running July 11 through July 24. Beginning July 19, he will be participating in Plein Air 2010 at the Door County Festival in Wisconsin. Forty artists have six days to paint the area’s magical shore front, fields and architecture. The event is sponsored by the Peninsula School of Art.

Ruiter’s portfolio of work ranges from marine craft and office furniture to birdhouses, dental tools and religious book publishing. Already a major influence on today’s new direction in human-centric workplace and educational products, he has earned best-in-class recognition for his work in several regions of the world. His signature is design that meets everyday needs in surprising ways, pushing the limits of manufacturing and confronting established expectations.