A design studio run by a trio of ECU alums has been named Western Living’s Industrial Designer of the Year.

Designers Pamela Goddard (BFA 1996), Nik Rust (BFA 1996) and Toby Barratt (BFA 1996) are the collective engine behind Propellor, an independent, multi-disciplinary design studio based in Vancouver.

“We consider ourselves very lucky indeed to live and work amongst such a talented and growing art and design community here in Western Canada and we are hugely honoured by the award,” the team says of the recognition.

Speaking with Western Living, Propellor partly attributes their success to the broad scope of their design education.

“Our training was always interdisciplinary in nature, with us crossing back between design and art rather seamlessly,” says Toby.

The magazine writes glowingly of their lighting designs, singling out their Stria series for pulling off “that most high-wire-y of modern tasks: combining clean, contemporary lines with the warmth of wood grain and the touch of an artisan’s hand.”

Among Propellor’s many other laudable creations is their Rift project, which the magazine cites as another standout effort. The pair of 30-foot-tall architectural screens “brings all of their talents to the forefront: there’s the sensitive use of wood in the white oak rails and the fabrication of the 4,200 bronze louvres attached to said rails, and then there is the overarching understanding of the interplay of light in our lives that shows in the way natural light is channelled into a never-ending series of daily combinations.”

Western Living design award judge Simone Vingerhoets-Ziesmann of Ligne Roset sums up the jury’s sentiments, writing: “Years of experience are visible in the execution. The projects and products are stunning and mesmerizing. They attract and become the centre of attention in the room.”

Visit Propellor’s website and follow them on Instagram to learn more about their exceptional work.

Visit ECU online today to learn about studying Industrial Design at Emily Carr.