Parker Smith | Designer

“I started my college career at Iowa State, majoring in Aerospace Engineering, but that meant I was solving existing problems. I wanted to create problems!,” Parker says with a laugh. “I was lucky to have an advisor who suggested architecture, and right away I knew this was it. Looking back, I grew up running around my mom’s interior design office and I loved it there. I realized architecture was pretty much woven into my entire childhood,” he adds.

After a switch to the University of Minnesota’s architecture program, Parker gained an interest in “Gesamskunstwerk,” the German artistic ideal of designing total systems that fluidly connect the building, its spaces, and its furniture and other pieces.

Eventually, Parker focused on furniture design and even started his own furniture line. “NewStudio has given me an opportunity to expand my thinking about design, especially structure and overall form,” Parker says. “NewStudio has also given me a new appreciation for workspace community—there’s no sitting back in a corner by yourself here.”

Favorite Office Supply: Printer paper (both for printing and drawing)

Someday, I Will… Learn to play polo

What Most People Don’t Know About Me: I’ve worked as a model

If I Could Have Dinner With Anyone, It Would Be: Frank Lloyd Wright – nuff said

My Favorite Vegetable: Onions – they are in everything, man

Education:

B.A. Design and Architecture, University of Minnesota

CE in Furniture Design, Minneapolis College of Art and Design