ISFD Names the 2024 Recipient of the Tom Conley Student Scholarship

Furniture World News Desk on 11/18/2024

After careful review, a panel of professional product designers selected Lindsey Molitor from Kansas State University as the recipient of the International Society of Furniture Designers® (ISFD) 2024 Tom Conley Student Scholarship. Molitor will earn her Master of Industrial Design degree in May 2025.

“We would like to thank all of the brilliant and highly talented students who applied for this year’s scholarship,” stated David Blair, executive director of ISFD. “It is rewarding to see the developing talent which is the future of our industry. Lindsey’s work stood out because she showed the process of her design from the beginning sketches to the final building of the piece. This is important because there is a world of difference between drawing a beautiful piece of furniture and making one. To thrive as a professional product designer, you must be able to create pieces that can be manufactured. Showing the process of building the piece will be one of our judge’s criteria.”

The judges commented that Molitor’s “Indoor Garden project was not only well researched and thought out but showed the progress of her design; she exhibited innovation throughout her work.” To that another judge added that she “appreciated Lindsey’s curiosity and exploration of specific problem solving. Seeing and hearing about her process helped us understand her point of view. Lindsey shows much promise.” A third judge stated, “I selected Lindsey’s work for the combination of function, style, and follow-up detailing. In commercial work, both understanding materials and methods go a long way to successfully contributing to product development departments.”

Molitor said she is looking forward to establishing her own furniture business where she can channel her own “creativity and craftsmanship into designing bespoke pieces that resonate with clients on a deeply personal level. Whether crafting custom furniture or launching a signature furniture line, I aspire to leave an indelible mark on the industry while fostering a fulfilling career.”

The award namesake, Tom Conley, is the past president and chief executive officer of the High Point Market Authority and a longtime board member and tireless advocate of ISFD. For over a decade, he supported professional home furnishings product designers and students who wanted to make a career in furnishings design. He always made facilitating student interaction a priority, knowing their experiences at Market and with other industry notables could be an important launchpad for their careers.

The ISFD Scholarship was established in 2010 by the organization’s Board of Directors with the instrumental help of long-time members Richard and Catherine Frinier. Founded to support gifted student designers from schools nationwide, the scholarship pays a financial award in the fall semester.

About ISFD
 The International Society of Furniture Designers (ISFD) is an association of professional and student furniture designers in residential and contract furnishings and accessories. Its mission is to promote and advance outstanding design and to elevate and support the furniture designer through networking, mentorship, and professional development opportunities. Its Pinnacle Awards® recognize the very best in furniture design each year, and its INNOVATION + DESIGN awards promote the outstanding work of designer-makers. Visit ISFD.org for more information about the organization and its programs, or follow its activities on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and Twitter.