Home furnishings manufacturer Groovystuff has announced the winners of its Las Vegas Winter Market Groovystuff by Design: Connecting Education with Industry Challenge. Mike Herbert from Columbia College and Eric Sia from Southern Illinois University- Carbondale placed first in the Popular Vote At Market during the event from January 28 to February 1. The two won for environmentally friendly product designs and innovative contributions to the home furnishings industry.

Herbert and Sia competed against undergraduates from their respective schools to design an environmentally friendly product reflective of the celebrity Dick Idol Legends brand, one produced using sustainable manufacturing practices. Students created miniature models and product display boards to present their ideas. Based on the presentation, attendees could vote during the market period.

Herbert’s Vail Chair and Sia’s Savanna Magazine Rack won the citation as “most marketable and most likely to show a profit” among product concepts considered by market-going retailers, interior designers and other trade professionals.

Each student won a $250 cash prize along with permanent royalties on respective product designed.