(Chicago, October 10, 2005) - - Six students from Harrington College of Design will join Chicago’s top designers to create and display a tabletop for ELLE DECOR’s fourth annual Dining by Design showcase, presented by GE, from November 3-5 at the Merchandise Mart. The showcase benefits DIFFA/Chicago: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS.

Harrington College of Design was exclusively chosen to take part in the showcase.

"Harrington’s reputation speaks for itself," says Michele Rust, DIFFA/Chicago Board Member and Dining by Design sponsorship chair. "We are honored to have them participate."

The Harrington students participating are Gallagher Bishop of the Philippines; Amy Calvanese of Oak Brook; Amanda Lao of Chicago; Betsy Leto of Grosse Pointe, Mich; Rebecca Otto, of Plainfield; and Angie Wang of San Diego, Calif. Juniors and seniors at Harrington, these students will create a table design that must accommodate ten guests within an 11’x 11’ space.

"This is a great opportunity for our students," says Patrick Comstock, president of Harrington College of Design. "Not only do they get to show off their talents, they also get to network with some of Chicago’s top designers."

ELLE DECOR’s Dining by Design will showcase the tables at three separate events:

• Brizzo Bubble Blast cocktail reception on Thursday, November 3 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $50.
• Open House on Friday, November 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door. Guests also will be treated with a GE Design School seminar at 2 p.m.
• Dining by Design Gala on Saturday, November 5 from 7 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are $275 per person. The evening features a cocktail reception, dinner at the designed tables, dancing and a silent auction.

For more infromation or to purchase tickets to any of the Dining by Design events, call DIFFA/Chicago at 312.644.6412.

DIFFA/Chicago chapter distributes funds to Chicago-area AIDS service agencies that assist men, women and children affected by AIDS and HIV-related illnesses. Since 1987, DIFFA/Chicago has presented Excellence in Care Awards in excess of $2 million. In Chicago, the funding has supported those agencies that demonstrate extraordinary effectiveness in fulfilling their chosen missions in the HIV/AIDS arena.

Founded in Chicago in 1931, Harrington College of Design is a four-year college that offers flexible scheduling for a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in interior design, an Associate of Applied Science degree in interior design or digital photography, a professional interior design diploma and a kitchen and bath certificate program.

Harrington seeks to foster an environment that maximizes students’ intellectual and artistic potential. The majority of its faculty are practicing interior designers, architects, photographers and fine art professionals. Harrington College of Design is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). The Bachelor of Fine Arts in interior design program is accredited by the Foundation for Interior Designer Education Research (FIDER). Harrington College of Design is an independent institution of higher learning serving the profession of interior design and digital photography and is recognized as a private college by the Illinois Board of Higher Education. Harrington College of Design is an accredited institutional member of NASAD.

Harrington College of Design is located at 200 W. Madison St. in Chicago. For more information, call 312.939.4975 or visit www.interiordesign.edu