MIAD students recently presented Therma-Tru with innovative new entryway designs incorporating decorative glass as part of a new project for industrial design and interior architecture + design students.
During the fall semester, 40 students on 12 teams researched design and architecture styles such as Arts & Crafts, Art Nouveau, Art Déco, Victorian and Modern and then developed door design concepts based on the elements of that particular style. They also learned about the door manufacturing process and target audiences.
“This assignment really was a win-win for both the students and Therma-Tru,” said Pascal Malassigné, FIDSA, who served as project instructor with Bill O’Dell, IDSA, and Robert Lynch, AIA. “Our students gained real-world experience and several samples for their portfolios, while Therma-Tru gained new innovative door designs that could potentially go to market.”
In addition, Therma-Tru rewarded each team with a monetary reward based on their research, creative design concepts, relevance to market and consumer needs, team collaboration and members’ presentation skills.
“The money wasn’t much of a motivator for us,” said a student from an Art Deco team. “This was a great opportunity to address a real challenge with design solutions based on established architectural styles and actual consumer desires.”
Therma-Tru plans to test some of the designs with consumers. If received well, they will then develop business plans for potential release into the market as new products or line extensions.
Fortune Brands’ sister companies Master Lock and MasterBrand Cabinets have also engaged MIAD for design ideas, which led to the project with Therma-Tru. Based on the success of the first assignment, Therma-Tru plans to use the MIAD design students for future projects.
