Chippewa Valley Times

For the past nine years, Room & Board has collaborated exclusively with the University of Wisconsin-Stout's Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) industrial and product design program for its annual student design competition.

Each spring, senior industrial design students are tasked with developing a piece of furniture that integrates into Room & Board’s existing aesthetic and brand. This year's project focused on storage solutions, encompassing various categories such as media, dining, living, entry, bathroom, and kitchen systems.

Brian Linehan, a UW-Stout alum and Room & Board's merchandise and design manager who initiated the competition, commented, “The project has been a wonderful yearly event and has allowed us to create a meaningful connection with the industrial design community while exposing us to some great talent.”

After an intense three-week project, students presented their final designs at Room & Board's corporate headquarters in Minneapolis, with 1/8-scale 3D-printed models on display.

Three winners were awarded a cash prize for their designs, which they have the rights to produce if desired. The designs were judged on their practicality for manufacturing and cost-effectiveness. The 2025 winners are:

- First place, $1,500: Sadie Sroga, of Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota, with design "Vera"

- Second place, $1,000: Moc Chau Nguyen, of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, with design "Ravi"

- Third place, $500: Bailey Gilbertson, of Elk Mound, with design "Ingrid"

Sroga expressed that the project provided valuable experience, stating, “The project gave me a real sense of what it’s like to design for production in a professional setting.” She appreciated the opportunity to work with Room & Board, noting the company’s commitment to sustainability and craftsmanship.

Room & Board is known for its modern furnishings crafted by 12,000 artisans across the U.S. The company makes annual donations to support UW-Stout’s industrial design program. Jennifer Astwood, Program Director, expressed gratitude for the opportunity provided to senior design students through this collaboration with Room & Board.

"Storage inspired by simplicity" was a theme for both Sroga and Gilbertson, as they would soon graduate. Their designs followed Scandinavian principles, focusing on simplicity, functionality, natural materials, and visual harmony.

Gilbertson elaborated on her design "Ingrid," saying, “The name ‘Ingrid’ is derived from the word ‘integrated,’ reflecting how the center shelf and legs are seamlessly incorporated into the overall design.”

Students began their creative process by studying Room & Board’s design language, brand values, and material usage. After initial research, they explored ideas through sketches and small-scale models, eventually selecting a final concept for full-scale cardboard prototypes.

Room & Board's merchandising and design team members, all UW-Stout alumni, mentored students throughout the project, offering feedback prior to the final presentations.

The industrial and product design program is part of UW-Stout’s School of Art and Design, one of the largest public art schools in the Midwest. The school offers bachelor's degrees in various fields, including animation and digital media, fashion design and development, game design, and others. Additionally, a new program in game and media studies has been introduced.