First Year Design Portfolio

Bronwen Rees.

2019.

Designer Maker.

Nottingham Trent.

intro.

About.

Other interests of mine include climbing, photography, graphic design, and helping to raise awareness and fight climate change.

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I am a first year furniture and product design student at NTU. I enjoy picking up new skills, learning, and using my hands. My work process involves a lot of making, prototyping and experimenting in the workshop. I aim to make all my products sustainable, as I believe we have a responsibility as designers to think about how the things we create make an impact on our environment.

about myself.

contents.

intro.

Contents.

Domus Footstool.

no. 03

A luxury footstool with a solid ash frame and crushed velvet cusions, designed for Duresta’s Domus range.

Cardboard Chair.

no. 07

A chair designed to fit the ergonomics of a peer, made completely from cardboard, assembled using no glue.

Alfie.

no. 11 A skateboard made from wood off cuts, inspired by 70’s retro cruiser boards.

Sheet Table.

no. 13

A concept for a mass manufactured side table, made from one sheet of metal, that can be used in several different ways.

Furniture Utopia.

no. 17

A diorama aimed at developing my modelling skills, through creating a personal interpretation of a furniture paradise.

Light Zero.

no. 21 A lighting range that explores how to reduce household waste and reuse everyday materials.

Muted Morse.

no. 25 A jewellery collection made from recycled silver, which subtly shows a date using morse code.

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duresta ftstool.

Footstool.

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USPs.

the brief.

duresta ftstool.

A modern luxury footstool designed for Duresta’s Domus range. The ash frame contrasts the soft middle, and hints to the quality associated with hard wood furniture. The muted pastel pink fits with Domus’ modern, subtle colours.

Brief: A live project for luxury upholstery company Duresta, designing a stool that fits their brand while also thinking outside the box and considering aspects such as detailing, proportions and function.

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duresta ftstool.

The cushion arrangement is based on the cushion arrangements from the collection. This visually links the piece to the collection, while also allowing room to develop the style and design of the piece.

During the process I learnt several manufacturing techniques including biscuit joining, routing, wood lathing, and foam shaping using a bandsaw.

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development.

in situ.

duresta ftstool.

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cardboard chair.

Cardboard Chair.

A chair made entirely from cardboard, fixed together using only string and double sided tape, which explores the materials structural possibilies while playing with style and aesthetic.

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USPs.

the brief.

cardboard chair.

The brief: construct a chair out of cardboard for a peer. Consider their ergonomics and weight, and use the materials stengths and weaknesses to your advantage.

Don’t use any adhesives, aside from double sided tape for lamination, and aim for efficient use of material.

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cardboard chair.

The stitching helps reduce the price of laminating and add strength to the structure, while also being an extra feature and giving the chair more texture.

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detailing.

development.

cardboard chair.

The development was based on how to increase structural strength using different laminated layers, and placement of triangular supports.

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alfie sktboard.

Alfie.

Inspired by 70’s cruiser boards, the ‘Alfie’ skateboard is hand made from wood off cuts, and glued using wood PVA for extra strength.

The wood was cut into 5mm pieces, then glued into one long plank, two length ways and one width ways.

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process.

details.

alfie sktboard.

The planks were then glued together (the two length ways planks on the top and bottom) and a jig and clamps were used to create the kicks at either end.

The knots are filled with epoxy resin to highlight the feature, and the engraving on the bottom was etched on a CNC, and adds an aspect of personalisation.

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sheet table.

Sheet Table.

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CAD renders.

USPs.

sheet table.

An adaptable table which can be placed in three different ways, meaning it can be used as a coffee, bedside or hallway table.

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sheet table.

research.

Primary Re s e a r c h .

these were the three things people thought most important to be able to fit onto a side table.

63% bedside table.

42% minimal style.

45% matte finish.

77% lamp.

56% phone & wallet.

70% drink.

41% unsuitable height.

12% lack of storage.

32% gets in the way.

15% unappealing aesthetics.

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(a questionnaire completed by 70 people)

these were considered to be the four main design flaws of a side table.

these were the three most popular types and styles of side table.

problem solving.

sheet table.

To combat the height problems people encounter with side tables, I decided to make a table that could be placed length or height ways, to combat the height problems many users experience with side tables.

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furniture utopia.

This project aimed to develop my modelling skills, not only in terms of prototyping a single product, but creating an entire scene.

The models are made from different types of card, salvaged string, polymer clay, and finished with acrylic paint.

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USPs.

USPs.

furniture utopia.

Furniture Utopia.

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fntre utopia.

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details.

development.

fntre utopia.

The piece is my own interpretation of a furniture utopia, inspired by Emily Forgot’s relief art, and infused with a mediterranean twist, and organic decor.

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light zero.

Light Zero.

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USPs.

USPs.

light zero.

A lighting range lead by material exploration, that highlights the many possibilites of how to recycle your own waste into new products, instead of throwing it away. The aim for this project was to keep the environmental impact

minimal through upcycling plastic bags and paper: two of the largest causes of home waste. No toxic adhesives were used, and only materials otherwise headed for the bin.

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light zero.

details.

Bottom: ironed clear and orange plastic bags Top: mixed ironed plastics, and flour glue papier mache experiments.

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details.

light zero.

Top: flour glued papier mache with perferated holes. Bottom: Ironed Sainsbury’s bags, vacuumed over a circular mold.

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muted morse.

Muted Morse.

A jewellery range made from recycled silver, that subtly hides a date in it’s design using morse code: each spoke representing a dash and each bead a dot. Perfect for a personalised, descrete anniversary adornment.

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The brief: produce a product that demonstrates a way of measuring time. Explore different avenues and consider non traditional ways of telling time.

USPs.

sketches.

muted morse.

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muted morse.

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process.

details.

muted morse.

The pieces come in pairs as a set of earrings or necklaces. They can be worn together, or seperated and worn by two people, as friendship necklaces. One shows the day and one shows the month of the chosen date. They are made from silver

scraps that are melted down and recycled into wire, then soldered together by hand. The packaging is plastic free and made from unbleached paper and come with a personalised note on recycled paper.

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personal details.

CV.

Education.

Hereford College of Arts.

2017-2018

Distinction - Foundation in art and design

Hereford Sixth Form.

Experience.

Architype.

2015

A weeks work experience working on real briefs , talking to clients and learning skills such as technical drawing and early architectural planning.

Sarah Eco Design.

2018

Help running a craft workshop, making decorations from recycled bottles and cans. Experience leading a group and teaching skills to others.

Borderlines Film Festival: Online Marketer.

2015

A months volunteer work helping with the festivals online marketing, manning the main desk, and dealing with customer enquiries.

2016-2017

BFI Film Academy : Editor.

Experience working as part of a film crew to produce a short film. Knowledge developed in industry editing process and software, and working in a creative team.

2015-2017

B Photography A level B Film Studies A level B Spanish A level

Steiner Academy Hereford.

2002-2015

A* Art GCSE A Science GCSE A* Maths GCSE

Skills.

I’m hard working, organised, punctual, and learn new skills quickly. I am a social person, so work well in a team, and I am happy to take leadership roles when necessary (I am currently president for two societies at uni.)

My software skills include Photoshop, Indesign, Illustrator and Final Cut Pro.

Awards.

Silver Arts Award.

2017

An award for under 25’s that allows young creatives to further their knowledge in a particlar specialty, through 95 hours of combined guilded and independant learning.

SiP Award (Shortlisted).

A certificate for independant research, looking at how to encorporate sustainability into my area of study, through research and a project proposition.

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2019

contact.

personal details.

Mobile.

Instagram.

Email.

+447714651166 @thebronblog bronnieann.rees @gmail.com

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