A future furnished with success for Sharbel

Kangan Institute's 25-year-old furnishing graduate Sharbel Nemer may just be the next big thing in furnishing with his recent win at the 2013 Australian Furniture of the Year Awards on Friday 23rd August. Sharbel's design 'The Ultimate DJ Booth' beat out three other finalists in the Excellence in Student Design category. He was also the state winner in the 2013 Victorian and Tasmania Furniture of the Year Awards. The idea for 'The Ultimate DJ Booth' began when Sharbel worked as a mobile DJ at birthday parties as a side gig. "I wanted to have the best looking DJ booth out there. So back in 2011, I started researching what the ultimate DJ booth should look like and i spent about two and half years in researching different materials and designs. After two mock ups, I built my piece which simply came together like a series of steps," said Sharbel. "I am very happy with my piece as it has everything that I planned out in the prototype. Everything is at arms' reach I do not have to move from the centre to control any of the four CD players or two turntables. I even elevated the mixer in the centre to make it comfortable to use. I would love to see my DJ booth featured on the main stage of a music festival being used by some of the well-known DJs." The Certificate III in Furnishing (Cabinetmaking) graduate was nominated by his teacher Brett Macdonald who praised Sharbel for his top performance which also earned him numerous Outstanding Achievement awards at Kangan Institute. "Sharbel has always taken the initiative with his training, always keen to learn and prepared to challenge both himself and stretch his teachers, pushing the boundaries with his thirst for technology and the industry," said Brett. "His ability to grasp concepts and understand processes in manufacturing and design was outstanding. He was always very willing to help out other students in the prac shop and aid with their understanding of CAD and theory based learning." Sharbel of Coburg currently works with his family's businesses based in Campbellfield and West Brunswick. He thanks his teachers for guiding him through his course. "The best thing about studying at Kangan Institute would have to be teachers. Week in, week out, I would come to class with different ideas, section mock ups and auto-cad drawings to present to my teachers. I would tell them why i have done what i have done in this sample and then ask for their advice," said Sharbel. "A big thanks to Brett, Frank, Phil, Beau and Mary for guiding me through this." Kangan Institute congratulates Sharbel and wishes him the very best in future endeavours.