University of Houston industrial design student Ruaraidh Ferrier claimed second place in the prestigious 2025 Bienenstock Furniture Competition, marking another success for the Hines College in one of the nation’s most competitive student furniture design contests. Ferrier’s chair design, Arthur’s Seat, draws inspiration from an extinct volcano in Edinburgh, Scotland, known for its sweeping views and undulating slopes.

At the Hines College, resilience is a defining trait of who we are. This past year, our community demonstrated that spirit firsthand, adapting and working collaboratively through limited space and ongoing repairs to our building following Hurricane Beryl. Even amid challenges, our students and faculty continued to lead with purpose, designing solutions that strengthen, uplift, and prepare vulnerable communities for an uncertain future. Explore this issue of DIMENSION to see just how resilient the Hines College truly is.

Mariana Marquez Keymolen (B.S. '21) started her Hines College journey through a summer course that introduced her to architecture and industrial design. "Although I studied industrial design, I sought out opportunities to engage in these types of projects whenever I could," she said, now working as a UX/UI designer and taking on projects like the "Better Block" mural project which recently won a Grassroots Initiative Silver Award from APA Houston.