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A mid-century-inspired chair designed by ���Ҵ�ý (UWTSD) student Lewis Parry has captured attention not only for its elegant craftsmanship but also for the remarkable story behind its creation, culminating in a presentation to Westminster Abbey itself.

Lewis, a BA Product and Furniture Design student at the University’s Swansea College of Art, didn’t arrive at university via the conventional route. After leaving school at 16 to study furniture and cabinetmaking, he spent several years honing his skills with various companies before realising that turning a passion into a profession wasn’t as simple as it seemed.

 “I loved cabinetmaking as a hobby,” says Lewis, “but as a job, it was a different ball game.” When COVID-19 disrupted his final year, Lewis pivoted into retail, but soon knew he wanted something more. “I didn’t want to spend my life there,” he adds. “I needed to do something meaningful to me.”

That decision led him to the ���Ҵ�ý, drawn by the friendly staff, strong design heritage, and, as he jokes, “the fact that I’d never lived by the sea.”

Fast-forward to his final year, and Lewis took on a bold self-directed project: to design a bespoke chair for an iconic location. He wrote to a range of British institutions including Westminster Abbey and waited. Eight months and over 2,500 design documents later, Lewis found himself standing before representatives of one of the UK’s most historic landmarks, presenting the chair that would become the culmination of his degree.

The chair, steeped in mid-century design influences, combines modernist simplicity with timeless form and tactile craftsmanship. Every curve and joint reflect not only Lewis’s technical ability, but his vision and sheer determination. 

“It’s very hard to design a chair without a location,” he says. “Westminster Abbey gave the project meaning and focus. Presenting it there was unforgettable.”

But Lewis’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. As someone with severe dyslexia, the written components of the course were daunting. 

“Writing was something I really struggled with,” he admits. “But I turned up every week, worked through the summer, and had great support from the student services team. By September, I had a solid draft of my dissertation.” His perseverance is emblematic of his entire approach to university life, treating it with the dedication of a full-time job, clocking in by 7.30am and often working late into the evening.

Among other course highlights was a second-year project with IKEA, which took Lewis to Sweden and Denmark. 

“We visited the IKEA Museum and explored Copenhagen. It was an intense 48 hours but incredibly inspiring.” These experiences helped deepen his understanding of form, function, and the global design landscape.

Lewis speaks highly of UWTSD’s supportive learning environment. “The staff are knowledgeable, patient, and encourage you to push boundaries. The small class sizes mean you get a lot of one-on-one time. Plus, all three years share a studio, which creates a strong, collaborative atmosphere.”

Having developed skills in CAD, model-making, and presenting, Lewis is now looking ahead. “My dream is to do a master’s in Milan in furniture design or business management,” he says. “But for now, I’m aiming to work for a few years, or maybe even start my own studio. Either way, I’ll be happy as long as I’m designing.”

Further Information

Rebecca Davies

Executive Press and Media Relations Officer    
Corporate Communications and PR    
Email: rebecca.davies@uwtsd.ac.uk    
Phone: 07384 467071