Student

Chairing Styles Students Visit Two Local Furniture Manufacturers

Chairing Styles student participants recently visited two L.A.-based furniture manufacturers, Wise Living Inc. and Cisco Brothers. Both companies will be manufacturing chairs based on the collaborative designs of FIDM Students and shown at DEBUT 2020. In this unique Chairing Styles program, Textile Design students create a printed fabric that is in turn utilized by a Fashion Design student to create an original garment, and an Interior Design student in the design of a chair.

Jose "Pepe" Pinedo, the owner of Wise Living, Inc. (pictured above), toured the students around the manufacturing facility, showing them the intricacies of the manufacturing process. Students were able to view different types of woods and how reclaimed materials are processed into actual furniture pieces. 

"Many times, the students have never been to a manufacturer’s facility," said Celeste Day-Drake, Chairing Styles Coordinator. "It is important for the students to see how furniture is constructed and to be able to ask questions." At Cisco Brothers, Industrial Designer Jorge Gonzalez showed students the upholstery side of the process, allowing students to see and touch all areas of the facility. 

"This type of a field trip was extra special in that the students were able to connect with multiple levels of personnel and see how the two companies are connected, both physically, as they are literally around the corner from each other, and professionally since Wise Living builds the frames and Cisco Brothers does the upholstery," she added. 

This is Wise Living, Inc.'s second year participating in Chairing Styles, while Cisco Brothers has been involved with FIDM for more than five years. Throughout the year, Chairing Styles students will hear from other manufacturers as guest speakers on campus.

Categories:  Interior Design Student