MassArt Senior Wins National Merit Award for Industrial Design

On Saturday, April 5, the Industrial Design Society of America (IDSA) presented its Student Merit Award to Paul Sukphisit, a senior at Massachusetts College of Art and Design. The presentation was the highlight of the 2008 IDSA Northeast District Conference, which was held in Philadelphia.

One of Sukphisit’s projects is a fully reconceived tea infuser. His prototype addresses a number of problems with infusers currently on the market, such as water dripping from the infuser onto the counter and surrounding surfaces; the infuser falling into the cup while brewing; and multiple parts that require regular cleaning.

“My final direction is ultimately an enhancement on the current infuser, which blends a coherent aesthetic and functional appeal” Sukphisit says. “The drip-catching clip functions as a stand and graphic brand identifier. The overall form is marriage of functionality and elegance.”

Originally from Bangkok, Thailand, Paul Sukphisit grew up in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where he attended school at Nova High School. After graduating, he took a break from school and moved to Massachusetts to work full time. He eventually enrolled at Bunker Hill Community College, where he received an associate’s degree in graphic design. He will graduate from MassArt in May with a bachelor of fine arts degree in industrial design.

Sukphisit was selected on March 20 by a jury of professional designers—members of the Boston chapter of IDSA—to represent MassArt at the district conference. Students from Rhode Island School of Design, Pratt Institute, the University of the Arts, the Art Institute of Philadelphia, Carleton University, Kean University, Philadelphia University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Syracuse University, the University of Bridgeport, and Wentworth Institute of Technology also attended the conference and competed for the award.

Sukphisit, along with national award winners from four other districts, will present his work at the IDSA’s national conference this September in Phoenix.