Gates Andrews

About Gates Andrews

Hey! I am Gates Andrews, an artist and designer from East Aurora, New York, and an alumnus from RIT’s Industrial Design program. At the intersection of art, craft, and design, I strive to create fun yet resilient objects that are as useful as they are beloved and iconic. Growing up in an epicenter of the American Arts and Crafts Movement, I found myself considering nature and the environment at the core of my design practice at a young age, prioritizing sustainability, as well as natural and local materials. My design style combines calm and tense moments, creating a striking yet elegant visual signature, and by using natural materials, I inspire an ancient and contemporary need for well-made things. I carefully consider each step and moment of the design process, taking care to create a positive relationship between the user, the environment, and the object.

Experience

1. Merchandise Processor

   Savers | Value Village

   Apr 2025 — Present · Hamburg, NY, US

   Processing and pricing donations in the FOLI (Furniture & Other Large Items) department with the production team at Savers, including furniture, TVs, stereos, small electrical appliances, lamps, sporting goods, and seasonal goods. Responsible for rotating merchandise and maintaining a shop-able furniture department. Assisting shoppers with moving large items and writing furniture slips.

Education

• East Aurora High School

  Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation with Honors, STEM Program 2016-2019

• Rochester Institute of Technology

  Bachelor of Fine Arts - BFA, Industrial Design