Pratt's Department of Industrial Design has partnered with the Folkwang Academy, a college of art and design in Germany, to exhibit chair designs as part of the renowned international furniture and interior design fair imm cologne in Cologne, Germany from January 19-24, 2010.

A total of 18 students from Pratt Institute and Folkwang will show chair designs in an exhibition titled "Take A Seat" that will display the best in chair design from each institution. Mark Goetz, a Pratt alumnus and professor who is serving as faculty advisor on the project, selected the nine most innovative and stunning chair designs from the Institute's undergraduate and graduate programs for exhibition in the fair. The students and recent graduates from Pratt whose work will be represented include Michael Chuapoco, Binh Dang, Evan Dewhirst, Sara Ebert, Christina Fesmire, Ingrid Fetell, Michael Roopenian, Thomas Stern, and Tawny Hixson. Designs include a wide variety of seating made of wood, metal, and recycled materials.

Goetz will be representing Pratt at the "Take a Seat" booth in Cologne. Folkwang Academy has offered to house the nine selected Pratt students for two weeks around the time of the fair. "We are excited for our students to meet and exchange ideas with the fine students at the Folkwang Academy," said Goetz. "The Cologne Fair has grown to become one of the world's most important venues to view new ideas in furniture. This opportunity is a testament to Pratt's growing reputation in the international design community."