ece furnishing 
Overview
Designing for ECE means furniture must invite young children to engage while meeting the daily realities of educators: fast transitions, limited space, and heavy use. The goal was to deliver warm, approachable design and educator-focused functionality at a lower price point without sacrificing quality. The collection combines a soft modern aesthetic with practical functionality to support play, learning, and classroom flow.
Role: Lead Designer
Timeline: April 2025 - January 2026
Team: Design
Context
Create a furniture line which feel safe and playful for children (soft edges, friendly silhouettes) and deliver high utility for teachers (space-saving, dual use, easy to move and clean). In parallel, I needed to master CNC-based production and balance labour versus material costs to hit competitive pricing while maintaining Canadian manufacturing standards. We were also excited to experiment with adding acoustic felt panels into the designs as both decorative and structural elements.
Challenge
Develop versatile, consistent design features that unify a diverse range of products into a single cohesive furniture line
Child engagement through approachable, modern design
Teacher usability through multifunctional, space-saving features
Adaptability for different classroom configurations
Comply with ASTM and consulted CSA standards
Manufacturing efficiency through CNC processes
Cost optimization while maintaining quality standards
Outcome
We launched below benchmark competitor pricing without taking a single hit on durability, safety, or design. The collection established a distinct, approachable look that secured immediate placement in Canadian ECE dealer programs—proving out both our design direction and manufacturing strategy. Standout pieces like our cozy spaces and soft-touch seating quickly became hero products, driving strong early buzz and engagement from both dealers and users at launch.
