Pete Oyler is a versatile designer whose work explores the intersections of design, craft, contemporary culture and history. His studio practice emphasizes both traditional and experimental approaches to a wide range of materials and methods of production. Oyler designs for a broad range of contexts including exhibition, mass market and commission. Current clients include Areaware, Tetra and Umbra.
Oyler holds a BA in American Studies from Smith College and an MFA in Furniture Design from RISD. His design work has been exhibited in Chicago, New York, London, Milan, Oslo and Paris, and he has received numerous awards including Forbes’ 30 Under 30 for Art & Design, the Metropolis Likes Award for Innovation in Design, Sight Unseen’s American Design Hot List and New City’s Design 50: Who Shapes Chicago. His work has been featured in various publications including The New York Times, Wallpaper, Surface, Metropolis, Elle Décor and World of Interiors.
In addition to object and furniture design, Oyler also writes about design and culture. He co-founded and served as creative director and co-editor of Outpost Journal, a print publication that featured art, design and community-based arts activism from smaller urban areas. Illuminating the hyper-local arts ecology via photography, design and creative additions, Outpost also worked with local artists, students and small business owners to create a collaborative, temporary public installation in each city featured. Outpost was made possible through widespread support from individuals, community organizations and cultural institutions including the Warhol Museum, the Mattress Factory, the RISD Museum, The Studios Inc. and the Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City. The last issue of Outpost, released in fall 2014, featured Providence, RI.
Courses
Fall 2024 Courses
FD 248G-01 - FURNITURE DESIGN THESIS SEMINAR
LevelGraduate
UnitFurniture Design
Subject Furniture Design
Period Fall 2024
Credits 3
FormatSeminar
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date
FD 248G-01
FURNITURE DESIGN THESIS SEMINAR
LevelGraduate
UnitFurniture Design
Subject Furniture Design
PeriodFall 2024
Credits3
FormatSeminar
ModeIn-Person
Start and End2024-09-04 to 2024-12-11
Times: W | 1:10 PM - 4:10 PMInstructor(s): Pete OylerLocation(s): Washington Place, Room 315Enrolled / Capacity: 10Status: Open
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This graduate seminar is organized in parallel with the Graduate Furniture Design Thesis studio for the purpose of guiding the written thesis document. The goal is to provide students with a focused opportunity to map their thesis projects and to create the document that supports their studio practice and body of work known as the thesis.
Majors are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Graduate Furniture Design Students.
Major Requirement | MFA Furniture Design
FD 2580-01 - ADVANCED FURNITURE STUDIO
LevelUndergraduate
UnitFurniture Design
Subject Furniture Design
Period Fall 2024
Credits 6
FormatStudio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date
FD 2580-01
ADVANCED FURNITURE STUDIO
LevelUndergraduate
UnitFurniture Design
Subject Furniture Design
PeriodFall 2024
Credits6
FormatStudio
ModeIn-Person
Start and End2024-09-04 to 2024-12-11
Times: TTH | 1:10 PM - 6:10 PMInstructor(s): Pete Oyler, Sara OssanaLocation(s): Washington Place, Room 237Enrolled / Capacity: 14Status: Open
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This is a required studio for seniors that develops advanced theory and practice in furniture design. Projects include experimental seating design and an introduction to upholstery techniques. Seniors develop a Degree Project Proposal along with a project that explores and tests the proposal.
Prerequisite: FD-2521
Major Requirement | BFA Furniture Design
FD 2580-02 - ADVANCED FURNITURE STUDIO
LevelUndergraduate
UnitFurniture Design
Subject Furniture Design
Period Fall 2024
Credits 6
FormatStudio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date
FD 2580-02
ADVANCED FURNITURE STUDIO
LevelUndergraduate
UnitFurniture Design
Subject Furniture Design
PeriodFall 2024
Credits6
FormatStudio
ModeIn-Person
Start and End2024-09-04 to 2024-12-11
Times: TTH | 1:10 PM - 6:10 PMInstructor(s): Pete Oyler, Sara OssanaLocation(s): Washington Place, Room 237Enrolled / Capacity: 14Status: Open
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This is a required studio for seniors that develops advanced theory and practice in furniture design. Projects include experimental seating design and an introduction to upholstery techniques. Seniors develop a Degree Project Proposal along with a project that explores and tests the proposal.
Prerequisite: FD-2521
Major Requirement | BFA Furniture Design
Spring 2025 Courses
FD 245G-01 - GRADUATE FURNITURE DESIGN II
LevelGraduate
UnitFurniture Design
Subject Furniture Design
Period Spring 2025
Credits 9
FormatStudio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date
FD 245G-01
GRADUATE FURNITURE DESIGN II
LevelGraduate
UnitFurniture Design
Subject Furniture Design
PeriodSpring 2025
Credits9
FormatStudio
ModeIn-Person
Start and End2025-02-13 to 2025-05-23
Times: TTH | 1:10 PM - 6:10 PMInstructor(s): Jonah Takagi, Pete OylerLocation(s): Washington Place, Room 315; Metcalf Building, Wood ShopEnrolled / Capacity: 10Status: Open
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This course explores advanced design processes and methods of construction. The evolution of a project through a complete design process is required including conceptual and design development phases.
Majors are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Graduate Furniture Design Students.
Major Requirement | MFA Furniture Design
FD 249G-01 - GRADUATE FURNITURE DESIGN THESIS
LevelGraduate
UnitFurniture Design
Subject Furniture Design
Period Spring 2025
Credits 9
FormatStudio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date
FD 249G-01
GRADUATE FURNITURE DESIGN THESIS
LevelGraduate
UnitFurniture Design
Subject Furniture Design
PeriodSpring 2025
Credits9
FormatStudio
ModeIn-Person
Start and End2025-02-13 to 2025-05-23
Times: TTH | 1:10 PM - 6:10 PMInstructor(s): Amy Devers, Pete OylerLocation(s): Washington Place, Room 315; Metcalf Building, Wood ShopEnrolled / Capacity: 10Status: Open
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This course culminates the completion of the thesis body of works and accompanying written document.
Majors are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Graduate Furniture Design Students.
