Situation:    design  a  piece  of  furniture  to  go  within  a  small  space.  i.e  conference  room,  bedroom,  kitchen.

Problem:    Design  a  piece  of  furniture  that  is  compactable  and  easy  to  store.  

Specifications:    

-­‐ The  product  must  incorporate  the  influence  and  style  of  a  fashion  designer.  -­‐ The  furniture  piece  must  be  easy  to  pull  apart  or  be  collapsible  to  fit  into  a  smaller  space.    -­‐ The  product  must  inlcude  a  moving  function  -­‐ The  product  must  not  exceed  3m  cubed  -­‐ Ensure  you  address  the  brief  in  terms  of  where  will  the  product  is  to  be  used  and  taking  into  consideration:    size,  

aesthetic,  construction,  and  how  can  you  make  it  ergonomic  and  user-­‐friendly  -­‐ Consider  elements  of  function  relating  to  this  type  of  product  (such  as  ergonomics,  shape,  movement,  maintenance,  

durability)  -­‐ Consider  elements  of  Aesthetics  relating  to  Product  Design  (such  as  style,  form,  shape,  and  colour)  

Design  Ideas:  

-­‐    indoor  chair,  outdoor  chair,  table,  Entertainment  table,  Storage  unit,  Computer  Desk,  Portable  product,  Campground  furniture    

 

 

FURNITURE DESIGN: compactable, collapsible, foldable

Design  Requirements:  

1. Design  Exploration  Designer  Research  –  Choose  2  Fashion  designers  and  research  into  their  inspiration,  influence  and  style  of  designing.  Designers  could  include  but  are  not  limited  to:  

-­‐            Issey  Miyake  -­‐            Alexander  Mcqueen  -­‐ Hussain  Chaylan  -­‐ Karen  walker  -­‐ Tord  Boontje  -­‐ Donatella  Versace  -­‐ John  Galliano  -­‐ Betsey  Johnson  -­‐ Vera  Wang  -­‐ Research  into  the  designer  and  discuss  the  style  ,  common  themes  through  their  garment  collections,  what  type  of  shapes  and  forms  are  seen  

through  their  work,  discuss  the  aesthetics  and  functions  of  fashion.  This  could  include  but  is  not  limited  to  form,  materials,  fitting,  shape,    -­‐ Research  a  collection  that  inspires  you  and  that  helps  shape  the  designer  into  the  man/woman  they  are  today.(  what  do  you  like,  don’t  you  like,  

what  works  aesthetically,  ergonomically,  functionally  and  what  doesn't,  how  can  you  show  these  ideas  in  your  designs?)    -­‐ How  could  you  explore  their  style,  functional  characteristics,  physical  attributes,  joinery/assembly  of  product  in  your  own  design  ideas?  

Draw  some  thumbnail  sketches  of  inspiration  of  shapes/style  that  could  be  developed  into  you  own  design  ideas    Product  Analysis  -­‐  Pick  one  type  of  furniture  piece  you  will  focus  on  and  research  into  5  existing  products  amongst  the  style  you  have  chosen.    

• Analyse  these  by  exploring  the  aesthetic  and  functional  characteristics  of  the  product.    • What  features  are  important  and  why?  • What  type  of  materials  are  used  and  how  do  they  affect/enhance  the  quality  and  workings  of  the  product?  • How  does  the  product  encompass  ergonomics  and  anthropometrics?  • Explain  specific  joins,  fittings,  assembly,  finishes,  fasteners  used  in  the  construction  of  the  product.  What  purpose  does  it  have?  • Has  sustainability  or  environmental  issues  been  taken  into  consideration?  • Explain  what  works  well  within  your  product  and  how  you  could  incorporate  parts  of  these  into  your  personal  design  ideas?.  

Research  into  aspects  of  furniture  design,  This  could  be  but  is  not  limited  to:  

-­‐ Joinery  -­‐ Materials  -­‐ Systems/mechanisims  -­‐ Assembly  -­‐ Sustainability  -­‐ Ergonomics  -­‐ Anthropometrics    -­‐ Explain  your  jusitifcation  of  including  specific  aspects  of  furniture  design  into  your  design  ideas.    

 2. Design  Refinement  

• Using  your  extensive  research  produce  quick  thumbnail  sketches  showing  different  shapes/ideas    you  could  explore  for  your  design.  How  do  these  thumbnail  sketches  show  links  back  to  your  designer  research?  (freehand)  

• From  these  sketches  begin  to  explore  the  shape  and  form  of  your  furniture  product  in  more  depth,  include  detail  or  fittings/joins.  Show  and  consider  ergonomics  and  anthropometric  when  designing.  (freehand  explorative  sketching).  Don’t  forget  about  page  layout.  

• Include  the  human  figure  (hands  /  head/body)  to  show  the  functions  of  the  product.  Explain  and  justify  your  design  decisions  in  regards  to  ergonomic  and  anthropometric  research.  

• Begin  to  develop  on  of  your  explorative  designs  thinking  about  the  details,  how  does  it  work,  move,  how  is  it  constructed/joined/assembled.  Take  into  consideration  ergonomics,  user-­‐friendly,  fitness  for  purpose,  aesthetics.  Push  your  idea  further  and  explore  with  purpose  in  mind.  Justify  all  design  decisions  and  explain  in  regards  to  your  research.  (Thinking  Sketches).  

• Your  technical  sketches’  should  explore  how  the  product  is  constructed.  (show  a  section  sketch,  exploded  movement  sketch,  production,  detail  sketch,  assembly/joinery  sketch)  

• Produce  your  final  rendered  presentation  sketch  that  shows  clear  links  to  your  influential  designer  and  meets  your  brief  and  specifications.(show  shadows/light  source  and  present  with  good  layout  skillls)