FURNITURE DESIGN
ARCT5593
Semester 2, 2024
UNIT OVERVIEW
Taking a broad view of what might constitute furniture, this unit asks the student to engage critically with furniture and product design through research, representation and making.
During this unit students ‘learn through making’ as they design, construct and document a number of full scale working prototypes in response to set design briefs.
PROJECT OVERVIEW - FURNITURE DESIGN PRODUCTION: PACK / STACK or FOLD
The student is required to design, prototype and prepare full design documentation of a complex item of furniture plus packaging for the furniture, including applied product graphics and assembly instructions.
In common with contemporary thinking, the research and resultant design will focus on; contemporary design thinking strategies, market trends, sustainable design principles and effective ‘global’ distribution methods. The design must be suitable for mass or batch production.
DESIGN PROCESS
Participants will develop the ability to combine design process thinking, product market analysis and the study and application of materials and manufacturing processes used in contemporary design production. The concept of design for assembly and disassembly will be investigated and critically and pragmatically applied.
Students will also acquire / develop the skills and knowledge to effectively manage the design project and communicate a design through visuals, technical drawings, models and verbal presentations.
DELIVERY MODE
The unit is delivered in a studio / workshop environment. The unit is ‘hands on’ integrating physical model making, full size prototype construction and testing and critique as part of the design process.
BEYOND THE UNIT – STUDENT SUCCESS
Student work designed and made in this unit have been selected for exhibition in; Melbourne ‘Vivid’ Industry Trade Show, Paris Maison and Objet, and the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) New York.
RELATED ELECTIVE UNIT – ARCT5589 FURNITURE DESIGN
Peter KITELY (Unit Coordinator): peter.kitely@uwa.edu.au
0415 397 004
Guy EDDINGTON UWA (Workshop Manager): guy.eddington@uwa.edu.au
0402 742 447