WD WESTERN DESIGNERS FURNISHINGS - Key Persons

Born in Calgary, Alberta, Allan Switzer is an award-winning designer, painter, and visual artist whose career in furniture began in 1968 when he joined William Switzer and Associates in Vancouver. He would continue to expand his knowledge of timbers at the Titchmarsh & Goodwin firm in Ipswich, Suffolk, England. In 1970, he travelled to Sonseca, Spain, to supervise the creation of the first William Switzer factory. Allan developed different collections for the company before acquiring Western Designers in 1980. Allan Switzer holds a degree in Philosophy from York University in Toronto (B.A. Philosophy 1977) and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design in Vancouver (1990). Additionally, he completed his Master's degree in Fine Art at Concordia University in Montreal in 1992. His work has been showcased in various solo and group exhibitions across Canada and the United States and has featured prominently in numerous publications over the years.