Three students won the most votes from High Point Market attendees to take the top spots in the Groovystuff by Design: Connecting Education with Industry Challenge at the market.

Xin Li from Auburn University, David Roan from Florida State University and Megan Ziesmer from the University of Minnesota showed drawings of their designs in a space at the market.

They competed with more than 60 classmates in a challenge to develop a residential home furnishings product utilizing the reclaimed materials found in the Groovystuff product line. As they were working on their designs, the students received guidance from the Groovystuff staff via Facebook.

At the market, students interacted with trade professionals and gathered feedback on their designs.

Each of the winners will receive a cash prize, and Groovystuff will put his or her design into production.

“To be able to correspond with a real company and go beyond the conceptual into thinking practicality and marketability was an invaluable experience,” Roan said. “Every designer needs to have their ideas put through the wringer at some point to experience the challenge of designing for other users and tastes. I’m thankful to have been a part of this.”

Xin Li’s product board displays the different views of her coffee table.

Megan Ziesemer’s product board displays images that inspired the design of her Tangled Table Lamp.

David Roan’s product board features his design sketches for his Wingback chair.