MakeIT! Furniture design comes to life
On Tuesday 15th November Oliver visited Rycotewood Furniture Centre to see how his design which won the prize for best solid wood design in the MakeIT! Furniture 2010 competition was being made.
Led by Proskills, the sector skills council for the process and manufacturing sector, the MakeIT! Furniture programme aims to encourage students to consider a career in the Furniture, Furnishings and Interiors industry and is designed to reflect the wider challenges faced by the industry, chief among them minimising its impact on the environment and ensuring its long-term sustainability.
As part of the MakeIT! Furniture 2010 competition the winner for best solid wood design also won the chance to have their design produced from a locally sourced, sustainable tree as part of the One Oak Project, an initiative run by the Sylva foundation to follow the life story of a single oak tree.
Oliver with 20 of his class mates from Arden School, Solihull went to see the design produced. They had a tour, did some activities and then were also able to make some components for the seat with Geoff Carter the Woodmill Technican at Rycotewood Furniture Centre.
Gregg Moreton, Furniture industry lead at Proskills who advocates MakeIT! Furniture as fantastic initiative to inspire and educate the next generation about the furniture industry said there is nothing like hands on experience. “Oliver’s design of an intricate chair was original and creative yet showed technical understanding and this was what stood out for the judges. For Oliver to see his design being created is a fantastic opportunity. What an experience to see something you have created being built. I hope this experience for Oliver and his class mates has enthused their interest in the industry.”