David Ritch studied Urban Planning at the University of Cincinnati before receiving his BS in Industrial Design.
Mark Saffell attended at Ringling College of Art and Design, where he received a BFA in Interior Architecture.
David and Mark worked together at Donald Chadwick’s studio for nearly a decade, involved in various furniture projects including the Herman Miller Aeron Chair. In 1995, Ritch and Saffell left Donald Chadwick to form the 3D portion of 5d studio.
Over the past 2 decades their studio has focused on corporate, healthcare, educational and residential furniture. They have collaborated with a broad range of furniture clients, from large multifaceted corporations to small family owned businesses. Their experience spans highly developmental ergonomic task seating to more fashion driven soft seating products. They take pride in solving problems, understanding their client and providing the best possible solution for their needs.
Ritch and Saffell, as 5dstudio, have been recognized with numerous awards including Best of competition at Neocon, Best of Competition Nightingale Award, IDSA- Design of the Decade, ID Annual design Review, Officeinsight Most Excellent Award, IIDA Acclaim Award, IIDEX, Good Design Award and Interior Design Best of the Year. Their work has also been featured in exhibits at the Cooper Hewitt National Museum and the Pasadena Museum of California Design.
AWARDS
Interwoven, Embra
2020 Best of CFYC, Healthcare Furnishings
2021 Nightingale Award – Innovation Award in Seating: Guest Lounge
Interwoven, Ezzeri
2021 Nightingale Award – Silver Award for Patient Seating
Arcadia, Scenery
2020 Best of CFYC, Seating, Modular
Good Design Award, 2021
Encore, Faction
2020 Best of CYFC, Seating, Multi-Purpose
Arcadia, Flirt
2018 International Design Excellence Award, Gold IDEA award
Good Design Award, 2018
Herman Miller, Ava
2016 ID HIP Award for Health and Wellness Furniture
Best of Neocon 2016, Gold for Patient Seating
2015 Nightingale Award – Best of Competition
2015 Nightingale Award – Gold Award for Patient Seating
2017 German Design Award Special
2016 Good Design Award
2016 European Healthcare Design
2015 Interior Design, Best fo the Year Honoree
Tuohy, Prato
Best of Neocon 2010 Silver For Systems Furniture
Nemschoff, Cente’
2007 NWIIDA In Award
2007 Nightingale Award – The Center For Health Design
Nienkamper, Aya
IIDEX 2007, Gold Seating
Herman Miller RED, Grasshopper
IDSA, Industrial Design Excellence Award, Bronze
Herman Miller, Baskets
Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, National Design Triennial 2006
Vecta, Kart
Neocon 1998, Most Innovative
Neocon 1998, Gold for Seating Desk/Workstation
IIDA 1998, Gold Award Seating
IIDA 1999, Acclaim Award, Task Seating
IIDA 1999, Acclaim Award, Most Innovative
Good Design Award, 1998
Officeinsight, Most Excellent Award
ID Magazine 1999 Design Annual, Design Distinction
Industrial Design Excellence Award 1999, Gold IDEA
IDSA, Design Of The Decade 1999, Bronze
Vecta, Rocky
Neocon, 2004, Silver For Seating
Pasadena Museum of California Art, California Design Biennial 2007
Tuohy, Salone
Best of Neocon 2003, Gold For Tables (Conference and Training)
Best of Neocon 2003, Gold For Table (Electrified)
Best of Neocon 2002, Silver For Systems Furniture
Nienkamper, Satori
IIDEX 2001, Bronze Seating
Forms + Surfaces, Bantam
2000 Good Design Award
Arcadia, Milestone
Best Of LA Designweek, 1999
Haworth, Tas
Neocon 1997, Best Of Competition
Neocon 1997, Gold For Seating Desk/Workstation
Officeinsight, Most Excellent Award
Brayton, Umbrella
IIDA 1995, Acclaim Award
Metro, Viola
ID Magazine 1993, Annual Design Review