by HIGH POINT — Scott Coley, author, lead furniture designer and owner of D. Scott Coley Designs, is returning as executive board president of the International Society of Furniture Designers, succeeding Steve Wilcox.
Coley brings deep experience to the role, including 34 years as a member of ISFD, prior service as president from 1997 to 1999, and twice having served as board chairman. He also served on the membership and Pinnacle Awards committees, including the vote to create the Pinnacle Awards program.
“I want to extend my sincere appreciation to furniture designer Steve Wilcox, principal/president of Furnishings Design Inc., who has diligently served as the ISFD executive board president for the past four years,” said David Blair, ISFD executive director. “He has done
an admirable job of promoting and helping to grow ISFD in the eyes of the industry and beyond. We are also looking forward to working with Scott again as president.”
An award-winning furniture designer and author of Elements of Furniture Design, Coley is a graduate of Kendall College of Art and Design with a BFA in furniture design. He has judged the Bienenstock Furniture Library Dudley Moore Sr. student furniture design competition for more than a decade.
During his 30-plus-year career, Coley has designed furniture for many of the largest furniture makers in the United States, worked with historical associations and celebrities and holds 66 U.S. design patents. He has also received the SIT Furniture Design Award and six ISFD Pinnacle Awards. His family has deep roots in the home furnishings industry, and he loves continually learning about furniture history.
Coley acknowledged that he is “honored to serve as president of ISFD once again. This organization has a rich history and strong traditions, and I look forward to preserving those while also creating new opportunities and traditions that will carry ISFD forward. I hope to foster an organization that remains vibrant, relevant and inspiring for the next generation of furniture designers.”
As president, Coley’s primary goal is to help create a clear vision and strategic plan for ISFD’s future, one that reflects the evolving needs of furniture designers and the broader furniture industry. His vision for ISFD is to “continue growing as an organization that understands, supports and advocates for furniture designers both today and in the future. The industry is changing rapidly, and ISFD plays a crucial role in helping designers stay connected, inspired and professionally supported.”
When asked about the benefits of joining ISFD, Coley said, “The greatest benefit is the connection to other furniture designers. Our profession is unique, and it’s valuable to be part of a community that understands both the creative aspects of our work and the challenges it entails. ISFD provides a space for designers to share ideas and experiences and to receive support through the ups and downs of a career in furniture design. The Pinnacle Awards are also incredibly important because they recognize designers’ work and elevate the value of design within the furniture industry.”
Those interested in joining ISFD can visit Join ISFD | International Society of Furniture Designers to learn more.
