Stoneham Kitchens Inspires Local Schoolboy to Pursue Career in Furniture Design
Work experience student designs and creates bespoke furniture item for prestigious furniture manufacturing company, Stoneham Kitchens, inspiring him to pursue a design internship in the industry.
Online, August 4, 2013 (Newswire.com) - As part of his A-Level Product Design project, local school boy Thomas Paton, 18, has created a bespoke, bed-side table at prestigious furniture manufacturing company Stoneham Kitchens. The experience has inspired Thomas, from St John's Catholic Comprehensive in Gravesend, to seek a career in this field and apply for a design internship.
"Designing a bedside table with the advice of top designers has been a great experience," enthuses Thomas who lives in Hartley, Kent. "I've really enjoyed my Product Design A-Level and being able to attend the different stages of the process at Stoneham's plant and find solutions, has showed me I would really like to work in the furniture industry."
Royal Warrant Holders, Stoneham Kitchens, are entering their 150th year of expertise as bespoke furniture manufacturers. The company regularly accept work experience pupils at its plant in Footscray, Sidcup. "It's important to give young budding designers the opportunity to learn more about the industry and what we do," says managing director, Adrian Stoneham. "As a family-run business we are committed to giving back to the local community and allowing students to pursue their passion."
The Stoneham staff played a significant role in helping Thomas construct the final product, a natural veneered walnut and solid maple drawer set; with the curved cabinet drawer front, for which Stoneham has become renowned. Thomas reflects: "I'm really pleased with how the project turned out. I enjoyed the entire process and would be happy working in any of the manufacturing stages, but I favoured the drawing process most - that's what I'd like to pursue."
Thomas' ambition to undertake an apprenticeship in product design couldn't come at a better time, as the government pledged last month to provide greater support to apprentices, with business secretary Vince Cable highlighting the skills gap in engineering and manufacturing.
Thomas will have to wait until 15th August to find out his results.