Furniture Design in Scandinavia + StudioAssignment overview

Summer 2015AD Faculty • Tina Christensen - Erling Christoffersen

DIS Architecture + Design Summer 2015

DIS Architecture + Design Summer 2015

2

An Object for Sitting Made from Wood

Description

The Furniture Design Studio summer session trains you in the full design process of a piece of furniture - normally a chair - drawing inspiration from its Scandinavian context and achieves maximum utility with the minimum material.

Students will start with conceptual development and the production of working drawings, and will end with the building of a full-scale prototype, as well as the exhibition of their work.

Through this process, students develop their capabilities in:• Development and refinement of design concepts• Production of sketches as well as working drawings• Construction of a full-scale prototype • Craftsmanship in different materials• Communication through exhibition and presentation

Assignment

The structure of the furniture will take its cue from a given amount of wood and/or wood-based materials provided by DIS. Other materials can be included but additional materials are at the student’s own cost.

The finished piece cannot exceed 80 x 80 x 80 cm. The program for the furniture is individual, decided by the student and guided by the faculty. It is possible to work conceptually on a new piece of furniture or to re-interpret a well-known type of furniture based on students’ individual analysis and design development. No matter what the starting point is, the furniture must have a visual and structural clarity, and consequently express the main idea behind the design.

The final presentation of the assignment - the object for sitting - must be accompanied by presentation boards illustrating the main ideas behind the design as well as the process and development of the design. Students are furthermore expected to use their sketchbook / visual journal for design development in order to ensure process documentation.

Presentation Requirements (board)

• Statement of Intent• Precedent studies• Process sketches and diagrams / study models / reference photos• 1:1 drawing (not mounted on board)• 3D Illustrations• Details (models or drawings)

Make sure to argue for the decisions you have made, and show this in your process.

Evaluation Criteria• Daily work in studio / Design process• Concept• Function• Coherency• Completeness• Communication

Evaluation and Grading

20% Design process in studio20% Workshop process and engagement60% Final Presentation (chair + board)

Submission Information

Please refer to the studio syllabus and AD Information on BlackBoard for project submission guidelines and plotting instructions.

DIS Architecture + Design Summer 2015

3

Scandinavian Furniture Mood Board Assignment

Description

To expedite the individual design process and to assist the student bonding process, the first week is devoted to a group assignment that will take place concurrently with students’ individual design concept development.

The aim is, through precedent studies, to develop an understanding of Scandinavian furniture design and design culture in general, and to inform and ignite students’ individual design process.

Through this process, students develop their capabilities in:• Researching precedent case studies in informed ways• Building knowledge based on both historic and contemporary works of design• Developing critical reflections on the basis of thorough research • Using research to inform individual design development • Presenting and communicating findings in strong and visual ways

Assignment

In groups of 3-4, seek out and research Scandinavian furniture design available in shops, showrooms, museums and public buildings in Copenhagen. Produce a mood board with photos, sketches, downloaded images, text and reflections that capture the group’s understanding of Scandinavian furniture design.

A list of precedent sites and places will be shared on Blackboard but research should not be limited to only these places only. Use the opportunity of a group setting to expand your horizon of research.

The mood board should be thought of as a type of collage consisting of images, text, and samples of objects in a composition. Take pictures, collect brochures, discuss when visiting sites and showrooms, make notes, and sketch, sketch, sketch. Focus on details, full pieces, elements of other designs that can inform your understanding of materiality, form, appearance, texture, etc.

The mood board will be presented by the group at the first design concept review along with 2-3 individual design concepts in sketch form from each group member (see calendar).

Presentation Requirements (pin up findings on one DIS presentation board)

The Mood Board can contain a multitude of objects/data/findings/imagery. Make sure it’s constructed and composed it from a wide variety of sources . Make research findings explicit and make preliminary conclusions as to the nature of Scandinavian furniture design and design philosophy.

Evaluation Criteria• Preparation and progress• Research• Coherency• Presentation board• Delivery and Communication (Presentation)

Evaluation & Grading

The final grade is determined as follows:20% Scandinavian Furniture Design Mood Board Assignment (group assignment) 20% Mid Term Exam50% Visual Journal 10% Participation and performance in class

DIS Architecture + Design Summer 2015

4

Visual Journal

Description

Visual Journal teaches the design student how to see beyond the photographic image. Using a visual journal on a daily basis will develop the individual’s ability to draw, think critically and analyze in three dimensions and across different scales

The visual journal is a process focussed, experimentally driven design tool which supplements and aids student learning in conjunction with other courses, study tours and all other lines of inquiry, both inside and outside the school.

The visual journal is the tool to facilitate understanding and memory. Designers (both professionals and students) have always carried sketchbooks on their travels to analyze and document designs and places which make an impression on them and, in turn, influence their design work.

Students are expected to independently visit, describe and analyze objects from the study tours, showrooms, museums etc. Entries are to be entered in the Visual Journal and will be evaluated as part of the course.

Expectations of the students:

Students are encouraged to be experimental and extend their representational abilities in free hand drawing, at the same time deepening their understandings of the design issues and problems.

Requirements

As a minimum, each visual journal should include;• Entries from all of the field studies (clearly identified and labelled).• Entries from the study tour (clearly identified and labelled).• Entries from students design projects and lectures.• Entries from independent, self motivated visual note taking.

Evaluation Criteria• Completness (Entries from the full scope of the summer course)• Analysis (Quality of critical and analytical development)• Technique (Level of craft in the representations)• Composition• Development

Evaluation & Grading

The final grade is determined as follows:20% Scandinavian Furniture Design Mood Board Assignment (group assignment) 20% Mid Term Exam50% Visual Journal 10% Participation and performance in class