Watch Ellen's Design Challenge

Ellen's Design Challenge is a reality competition show on HGTV that premiered in January 2015. It is hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, a widely popular TV personality, and features six furniture designers who compete against each other in a series of challenges to create unique and innovative furniture pieces. The show is produced by A. Smith & Co. Productions and distributed by Relativity Television.

The contestants on Ellen's Design Challenge are selected from different parts of the United States, and they have different design backgrounds and levels of expertise. They come from a range of fields, including interior design, architecture, carpentry, and furniture making. Each contestant participates in individual and team-based challenges that test their design skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.

To help them with their designs, the contestants are provided access to a tool shop, a paint shop, a design studio, and a woodworking shop. They work under strict time constraints to create their pieces, and their designs are judged by a panel of experts, which includes Christiane Lemieux, the founder of DwellStudio, and Chip Wade, a celebrity contractor.

Throughout the show, the contestants face different design challenges, such as creating pieces for a celebrity client, designing outdoor furniture, or making a piece that can transform into different configurations. They have to use their skills and creativity to come up with designs that are not only visually appealing but also functional and practical.

The show's format is a mixture of reality TV drama, creative design, and friendly competition. The contestants live together in a loft during the competition, which creates a natural environment for interpersonal dynamics and conflicts. The judges provide constructive feedback and guidance, while Ellen adds humor and entertainment value to the show with her light-hearted jokes and interactions with the contestants.

The show also offers viewers a glimpse into the design world and what goes into creating functional yet stylish pieces. It highlights the importance of form, function, and craftsmanship in furniture design and delves into the creative process behind designing pieces that stand out in the market.

The show's first season consists of six episodes, and the second season has ten episodes. Each episode is roughly an hour long and follows a theme, such as creating a piece inspired by nature, or designing a piece for a luxury hotel.

Overall, Ellen's Design Challenge is a fun and engaging show that appeals to design enthusiasts and talent show aficionados alike. Its unique blend of design, competition, and entertainment makes it a must-watch for anyone interested in furniture design and creative problem-solving.