National IFDA Educational Foundation Raymond Waites Design Competition Winner Announced

Furniture World News Desk on 9/2/2015

A junior at Iowa State University of Science and Technology, is the winner of the national 2015 Raymond Waites Design Competition. Joseph Danielsen entered his elegant vision of a traditional/eclectic Indoor Gourmet Kitchen with Attached Outdoor Entertainment Area and Pool, and will receive a $5000 cash prize and a trip to the High Point International Furniture Market in October.

As the winner, Joseph will be treated to exclusive tours of showrooms and events as well as be guest of honor at a reception on Monday, October 19, at the 200 Steele Building. It will be hosted by Raymond Waites and co-sponsored by the Educational Foundation of the International Furnishings and Design Association (IFDA) with the participation of the 200 Steele Building. The winning entry, along with others, will be on display at the reception.

The competition is the third and final Raymond Waites Design Competition to be sponsored by the Educational Foundation of IFDA. Joyce Poynton, FIFDA, Foundation Chair and one of the judges, commented, “It was an honor to judge such bright and imaginative entries. These students bring great promise to the home furnishings industry.” Other judges were trend-setting designer, Raymond Waites, and designer/professor, Dr. Wilma Hammett, FIFDA.

Raymond Waites commented, “All entries showed genuine merit. I applaud their efforts and congratulate Joseph Danielsen on being the top winner.”

Each entry had to fulfill criteria requirements which included an essay that mentioned future goals, an inspiration page, floor plan, elevations/perspectives, color renderings, specifications, and one original product design suitable for today’s manufacturing and marketing. All had to be assembled in a Presentation Portfolio.

Aspects of Danielsen’s creation included doric columns, Palladian windows and doors, relaxing pool and spa area, beautiful eating areas, and practical but stylish furniture. He included architectural details not only in the exterior but the interior as well, symmetrical balance, and modern conveniences combined with classic elegance.

Joseph always demonstrated a passion for drawing and residential architectural drafting and is fulfilling his hope of transforming his gift into a career. He uses advanced technologies and specialized rendering software as well as hand sketching and markers in his work.

He is the recipient of Iowa State University’s Academic Recognition Scholarship and the Department of Interior Design’s Janet Henrick Glaser Scholarship. Joseph recently presented another one of his interior design projects in the Symposium on Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression hosted by the university honors program to share his research and studio work with the rest of the university community. In 2012, he received national recognition as a gold medalist when he entered a self-portrait drawing into the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards competition. His work was on display for two years at the Parsons New School for Design in Manhattan.

Joseph comes from a large family and is one of triplets with a brother and sister who are also artistic. He says he will use the money to pursue study in Paris, France, in the spring semester as he has a strong interest in eighteenth century French history with a focus on the early neoclassical period of architecture and interior design. He wishes to pursue a career in high-end residential interior design.