Material synergy – “The clothes peg project”

PROJECT BACKGROUND:

Materials that exist in synergy with one another have dynamic interactions that are intrinsic to furniture design. During this semester you will investigate the specific properties of two materials and through a process of experimentation learn how you can manipulate them to provide the desired function for your design.

An emphasis will be placed on the studio labs that will be run for the first six weeks to further your understanding of design and the creative process. You will be expected to document your development via sketches/writing and photography to a professional standard. This will form an ongoing record of your work and creative process and will be posted each week onto your online folio to be reviewed at the beginning of each class (see blogging method).

The café chair

The chair is one of the most overly designed objects, but for good reason, as it tests all the parameters of good design. You too will be designing a café chair that will test your ability to balance engineering principles and sculptural form. When considering the two supplied materials 6mm ply and mild steel rod, it is your design challenge to develop and demonstrate a synergistic relationship between these materials that responds to the function of your furniture piece.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES:

· explore the principles of furniture design

· examine the relationship between space and object.

· develop an understanding of furniture structural systems, furniture manufacture.

· demonstrate how design can add value to a common material through a defined process.

· Illustrate how design can produce products with a level of sustainability.

During the project students will:

· explore the principles of furniture design

· examine ergonomics issues and product interaction

· develop an understanding of furniture structural systems, furniture manufacture and assembly.

· examine the relationship between space and object.

· Understand and dissect complex form and geometry.

· Develop documentation of complex geometry.

· Produce CAD information for reproduction of geometric form.

· Understand the production process of cutting and forming wood and metal.