INDIANAPOLIS - Through a partnership with Herron School of Art and Design on the campus of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Brunswick Billiards challenged graduate furniture design students to reimagine the Gold Crown pool table while holding true to its core attribute of superior playability.

The students studied Brunswick’s rich history -- including its emphasis on exceptional craftsmanship -- played a little pool and embarked on an eight-week journey to define the new look of billiards. Three finalists -- Shelley Spicuzza, a master of fine arts candidate from Indianapolis; and new M.F.A. graduates Sam Ladwig from Oklahoma and Colin Tury from Detroit -- modernized the Gold Crown to appeal to consumers today who are attached to technology, attracted to clean lines and looking for a way to reconnect with family in the home.

The three presented their designs to Brunswick’s leadership in June. A winning design will be selected this fall. The student whose design is selected will win a $2,500 award and the professional credit for creating the Gold Crown VI. The two honorable mention designers will receive $500 each. The company plans for the new table to hit the market in the latter part of 2015.

Billiards is one of the nation’s oldest, most enduring pastimes, and Brunswick Billiards has been the game’s gold standard name since 1845. The most iconic of Brunswick’s tables is the Gold Crown, preferred for professional tournaments and central to such classic movies as "The Color of Money" and "The Hustler." To evolve the design of this table -- the bestselling in Brunswick history -- the brand’s product team tapped into new thinking to come away with the most approachable table yet, for a younger generation.

"We are always looking at ways to blend craftsmanship and functionality in our tables," said Brent Hutton, president of Brunswick Billiards. "I've seen the excellence of Herron students for years and knew they would be able to take our beloved Gold Crown into its sixth edition while maintaining the iconic attributes."

Cory Robinson, chairman of the fine arts department and associate professor of furniture design at Herron, said "This project has allowed furniture design to expand an already well established reputation. Although digital design tools are driving more of the classroom experience, Herron is still rooted in its identity as a program that teaches an artist the skills necessary to design and build what they envision.

"This project elevated the expectations of our students. I was extremely happy with how they all applied their knowledge of materials, fabrication methods and design sensibilities to imagine and shape their presentations for the next generation of the Brunswick Gold Crown series pool table. I think Herron students again have proved that they are well positioned to solve this type of challenge with the perspectives of being able to ideate, design, problem solve and render their solutions to a real world, client-driven problem."

About Herron School of Art and Design

Established in 1902, Herron School of Art and Design was an independent art institute until 1967, when it merged with Indiana University. Two years later it became a school of the newly-formed Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis campus, now known as Indiana's premier urban research and health sciences campus. Herron is accredited, top-ranked nationally, and offers a variety of professional fine art and design degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

About Brunswick Billiards

Connecting generations through superior craftsmanship and innovation since 1845, Brunswick Billiards has been the leader in designing the highest-quality billiards and pool tables and game room furnishings preferred by experts around the world. Based in Bristol, Wis., the billiards division of Brunswick Corporation has more than 300 retail dealer locations across the United States and international distributors in more than 40 countries. For more information about Brunswick Billiards and its product line, visit www.BrunswickBilliards.com.

About Brunswick

Headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., Brunswick Corporation endeavors to instill "Genuine Ingenuity"(TM) in all its leading consumer brands, including Mercury and Princecraft, Quicksilver, Rayglass, Sea Ray, Uttern and Valiant boats; Life Fitness and Hammer Strength fitness equipment; Brunswick bowling centers, equipment and consumer products; Brunswick billiards tables and foosball tables. For more information, visit http://www.brunswick.com.

Source: Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis