Kirt Martin

Appointed to his role in 2004, Kirt leads and directs all industrial design activities at Turnstone. He sets the direction for the look and feel of the Turnstone product portfolio and manages internal and external designers. Kirt also designs and develops many new products including Tour™ workspace, Currency® and storage, Scoop seating, Alight™ ottomans and tables, Burton™ executive chair and Sawyer™ wood side chair. Kirt also leads the design effort of all Turnstone showrooms and is involved in establishing the look & feel of the Turnstone brand. Kirt has also been a featured speaker for a number of design organizations and universities.

Kirt joined Steelcase in 1995 as a contract industrial designer. In 1997 he was hired with the company as a senior industrial designer for Steelcase Wood furniture.

Kirt also served as an adjunct design instructor at Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids in 2001.

Born in Grand Rapids in 1970, Kirt earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in industrial design from Kendall College of Art and Design. He also studied industrial design and design history at the Royal College of Art in London, England.

Kirt is a member of AIGA (the professional association for design) IDSA (Industrial Designers Society of America) and has earned numerous awards. Kirt was awarded the 2002 Recent Graduate Achievement Award, which honors a Ferris University/ Kendall College grad that has made a significant achievement or contribution in his or her field, as well as a 2001 IDEA Award, several Good Design Awards and Neocon Awards including Best of Neocon Silver award in 2007 for Tour™ workspace. Kirt's work has been featured in numerous publications including Metropolis Magazine, I.D. Magazine, & Interior Design Magazine.