Rachel Whitaker believes that good design is for everyone, and the best work comes from refining ideas through various lenses and perspectives. Her curiosity fuels a holistic design approach that carefully balances functionality and aesthetics.
With over a decade of experience, Rachel Whitaker approaches design with a curiosity-driven, functionalist perspective, creating at the intersection of furniture design, space planning, and interiors. Her early career as a space planner for Knoll dealerships sparked a passion for furniture that led her to North Carolina State University, where she earned a master’s degree in industrial design. Recognized as a “Rising Star” by IFDA Carolinas, Rachel developed a nuanced design approach about exploring the possibilities, while embracing the constraints of project. At Sauder Woodworking, she helped shape over 250 residential products, advancing to Principal Designer and championing the belief that thoughtful design should be both accessible and elevating.
At Watson, she has refined iconic collections, including award-winning additions to the Tonic Collection, and led the design of the Edison Workbench, recipient of the prestigious 2024 NeoCon Business Impact Award. Rachel works closely with a multidisciplinary team to develop and launch intuitive, well-built and function-forward products that positively impact people’s lives. She is excited by the design challenges prompted by an ever-evolving office environment and endeavors to contribute compelling solutions to the future of the workplace.
"Design, for me, starts with curiosity—a drive to understand the need beneath the surface and uncover the hidden opportunities. I see constraints not as limitations but as invitations to innovate, a chance to explore what can be achieved when function and form are woven together. I’m a functionalist at heart, but I believe in a design that resonates, where purpose is enhanced by beauty. The most compelling creations live at this intersection, where the practical and the aesthetic meet and elevate each other."
Rachel Whitaker, Design Manager