CRESCENT

Crescent is a multifunctional coffee table, there are multiple storage areas, each area is specifically tailored for different items that are stored in living rooms. The table top folds out so it can be used as a flat surface to work on while sitting on the sofa.

The table was designed and built by myself as part of my A-level Product Design course.

I won the Simon Leigh Memorial Award for the design and manufacture of the table.

Brief Insights

The brief was to create a multifunctional ergonomic coffee table that will be used in the living room. Coffee tables are not just a flat surface to hold beverages they are now the centre piece of a room and must store a range of items to stop living spaces from becoming cluttered. The product must fit into the high-end competitive market, therefore it must be modern and the table should accommodate everyone. The product should not use up too much of the floor space because it then becomes an obstacle.

Using a variety of research methods the following key insights were generated. An ergonomic coffee table should promote good posture, this can be difficult because most users will be sitting on a sofa. People typically use laptops while sitting on the sofa, this is very bad for posture. As a result, designing a solution where the table top can be change height and angle to better suit the users needs would be ideal. The table must not only improve the user’s posture but also improve the performance of the table. Consequently, it must be easier to use and more efficient. Living rooms are one of the most used rooms in the house, therefore it can very quickly become cluttered.

Demand

There is a large demand for coffee tables because they are often the centre piece of a modern living room. Multifunctional furniture is very desirable because prices of furniture have risen and the space in homes is limited. Therefore, products which consider storage in an aesthetically pleasing manner are highly appreciated.

Multiple processes were used to construct this coffee table. A mix of traditional hand working with modern use of machines and CAD. The main frame of the coffee table was drawn on CAD and CNC machined. This is because the frame had to be exact otherwise the whole coffee table would be offset. The oak panels for the shelf and top were joined using traditional biscuit joint method and glued together. The folding mechanism was machines out of steel by hand and screwed into the side of the coffee table. This allowed the table top to fold in and out.