Kimball International Hosts Third Annual Prelude Student Design Competition
JASPER, IN., October 16, 2025 – Kimball International recently hosted its third annual student design competition, Prelude. Held in select showrooms, nationwide, this one day event is the pinnacle of their student-driven design outreach. Kimball International partners with university professors affiliated with Interior Design schools in their showroom markets and asks them to nominate students to participate.
On October 3rd, each of Kimball International’s showrooms in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, and Dallas hosted a group of student participants and professors. During this all-day event, students are grouped into teams where they learn of a hypothetical design problem that needs a solution. They are given specific design requirements, spatial information, and considerations for the final design.
Throughout the day, they create a design concept that meets the goals and necessities of the design problem and then present their solution to a panel of judges. Teams use a variety of skills, specification tools, and Kimball International’s surface materials to design and present their concept. The teams are judged based on their problem-solving, creativity, teamwork, and presentation skills.
“We are incredibly proud of the Prelude Student Design Competition and that we can play a role in shaping the next generation of interior designers,” said Michelle Boolton, Vice President A&D, Design Services, eTools, & Showroom Strategy Kimball International. “Prelude is more than a competition, it’s an opportunity for students to engage in real-world design challenges, collaborate with peers, and gain insight into the industry. Supporting emerging talent and building strong connections with future professionals is a vital part of our commitment to design and innovation.”
The Prelude Student Design Competition, named to honor Kimball International’s piano-making heritage, symbolizes an introduction to something greater for emerging students of interior design. Prelude aims to inspire and foster innovation, advance the skills of the student community, and build deep partnerships with faculty at leading Interior Design institutions.
Learn more about Kimball International’s Prelude Competition
About Kimball International
Kimball International is a leading commercial furnishings company with deep expertise in the Workplace, Health, and Hospitality markets. We combine our bold entrepreneurial spirit, a history of craftsmanship, and today’s design-driven thinking alongside a commitment to our culture of caring and lasting connections with our customers, employees, and communities. Since 1950, our brands have seized opportunities to customize solutions into personalized experiences, turning ordinary spaces into meaningful places. Our family of brands includes Kimball, National, Etc., Interwoven, David Edward, Kimball Hospitality, and D’style. Kimball International, based in Jasper, Indiana, is a business unit of HNI Corporation.