Brand Spotlight: Haworth’s Educational Initiatives

A major player in the office furniture sector, Haworth has long committed itself to nurturing young designers. For the students at various U.S. schools where the brand sponsors different types of programming, this level of dynamic support is vital in learning how to meet the industry’s demands. 

The company’s level of engagement in this regard—at institutions like the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and ArtCenter College of Design—goes far beyond sponsorship. By providing the resources for specialized courses that more closely reflect industry needs, Haworth equips students with the hard and soft skills to thrive. Carefully programmed workshops, seminars, and guest lectures allow for the free exchange of expertise and insight. These less prescriptive interactions foster a more thorough understanding of the design process and help all involved ideate new concepts without the conventional constraints. 

(Image above courtesy of Haworth)

Haworth’s internship program offers students the chance to work alongside its team on real projects. The hands-on experience is a crucial part of their formation and allows them to enter the industry with a more well-rounded comprehension of its day-to-day inner workings. 

Unfettered by real world road blocks, students and faculty bring a refreshing perspective to the table. They challenge the status quo, push boundaries, and inspire new ways of thinking. Balancing this with practical thinking is essential. 

A select group of promising talents from both aforementioned schools have recently benefited from in-depth reviews with leading designers brought in by Haworth. Recently conducting multiple intensive sessions at RISD were Patricia Urquiola and longtime staffer Karen Bray—who not only professionally collaborates with the program and backs an established scholarship named for her late husband, a graduate of the school. 

The former was drawn to up-and-comer Bill Carroll’s use of material and selected him for Haworth’s DesignLab initiative. Through her mentorship, Carroll—along with Sam Klemick, Fernando Ramirez and Justin Beitzel from Common Object (no longer students per se but still getting started)—were able to fine tune their initially proposed format defying designs. These concepts loosely reassess what the proverbial workshops should look and feel like. 

“The generations now coming into the workforce have a completely different concept of where and how work gets done,” said Michael Warsaw, Haworth Vice President and Officer of Global Design, Innovation and Sustainability. “When you couple this with the fact that today’s offices often struggle to support occupant performance, we see an opportunity. The project with ArtCenter explores not just product circular design – extending to focus on the health and wellbeing of office dwellers. By supporting physical, emotional and cognitive needs, we are supporting creativity and innovation.” 

Adding to this already impressive roster of programs, Haworth is ICFF’s 2025 Design Education Sponsor. For the company, the fair is an important opportunity for the many students and early-career talents it’s supported over the years meet the market. The event brings together the best and brightest in the design world, providing a platform for students and professionals to showcase their work, exchange ideas, and build valuable connections. This sponsorship underscores their commitment to nurturing the next generation of designers and ensuring they have the support they need to succeed.

If you are curious to discover more about Haworth, check out their website, HERE

Follow Haworth on Instagram, and if you wish to meet the team, make sure to connect with them at ICFF, May 18-20, 2025. Register now >>>

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