Who says scientists can’t be creative artists? Not Christian Oleksiak of Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood.

The 38-year-old physical chemist for Kraft Foods North America, and a part-time student and the Harrington College of Design, Oleksiak recently was named one of 17 winners in "Future Furniture," an international juried competition of original furniture designs sponsored by Interior Design magazine. The competition drew more than 800 participants.

Oleksiak holds a Ph.D. in physical chemistry and has worked for Kraft for nine years, most recently managing a team of scientists in the Glenview based Global Research Division. However, he has always been fascinated with furniture design.

"I remember when I was seven or eight, I would save my allowance to redesign my room. I’m always in the process of designing a piece, whether it’s a light fixture, coffee table or art display, even if it’s only in my head as I drive to work," Oleksiak said.

It is that creative passion that prompted Oleksiak to pursue a B.F.A. in interior design at Harrington. A part-time student, he hopes to graduate in 2006.

Oleksiak’s winning design – a doubly functional piece that works as a side table and an ambient light source – will be featured in an upcoming issue of Interior Design and was showcased at a special exhibition held May 15-17 in New York in conjunction with the International Contemporary Furniture Fair.

The "Future Furniture" competition, which highlights fresh work by emerging architects and designers, called for applicants to create and submit new furniture designs that are not yet in production. Winners were selected by the editors of Interior Design.

Oleksiak intends to continue combining furniture design and science after completing his studies at Harrington. He has already founded his own interior design business, working primarily for friends and acquaintances.

"Juggling a full-time career, school and a new business can be difficult," Oleksiak concedes, but for now he finds that blend of art and science an intoxicating mix.

Located at 200 W. Madison St., Harrington is a four-year college that offers a bachelor of fine arts degree in interior design, an associate of applied science degree in interior design or digital photography, a professional diploma in interior design and a kitchen and bath certificate program.

Founded in Chicago in 1931, Harrington seeks to foster an environment that maximizes students' intellectual and artistic potentials. The majority of the faculty are practicing interior designers, architects and fine art and photography professionals. Harrington is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design and the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). The BFA program is accredited by the Foundation for Interior Designer Education Research (FIDER). Harrington is also recognized by the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

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