Contents: 1. Barber Osgerby background 2. Awards and achievements 3. Barber Osgerby products 4. Loop table technical drawing/Orthoganal 5. Table design sketches (1) 6. Table design sketches (2) 7. Stool design sketches 8. Sofa design sketches 9. Reflection 10. References
EDWARD BARBER & JAY OSGERBY Background Twentieth century designers have recreated furniture as we know it today, with their unique designs and attention to detail they are able to offer a new and insightful style of furniture for a range of purchases. Edward Barber (born 1969 in Shrewsbury, England) studied interior design at Leeds Polytechnic. Jay Osgerby (born 1969, Oxford, England), completed a foundation art programme at Oxford Brookes University and studied product design at Ravensbourne College in London. The two met while studying for their Master’s degrees in Architecture at London’s Royal College of Art. After graduating, they set up their studio in Trellick Tower, West London, and from there designed their first furniture piece, the Loop Table, manufactured by Isokon. Two international designers have created a simplistic yet captivating style of furniture that has become apparent among a number of observers. This has brought international fame for both ‘Barber and Osgerby and subsequently they have developed a number of designs unique to them and their genre. They have even been fortunate enough to be selected to design and produce the 2012 London Olympic torch. By working as a team both Osgerby Barber and Osgerby have created a range of furniture that has captivated a large audience. By them working collaboratively they have a unique style, they can combine a broader range of ideas by brainstorming together and experimenting with stylish designs, while, maintaining practicality. Teamwork produces better quality due to more ideas being put on the table.
England: London Royal College of Art, where Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby met and studied together
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Barber Osgerby awards and acheivements:
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2014: Elle Decoration International Design Awards: Designers of the Year 2014: Wallpaper*: Best Folk – Bell Lamp for Louis Vuitton 2014: Wallpaper*: Best Room Mates – Mews Tiles collection for Mutina 2013 Maison & Objet: Designers of the Year 2013 Wallpaper* Design Awards: Best Dining Table, Tobi Ishi 2012 Design Museum: Design of the Year, London Olympic Torch 2012 Design Museum: Product Design of the Year, London Olympic Torch 2012 World Technology Award for Design 2012 Icon Magazine Awards: Design Studio of the Year 2012 Elle Decoration British Design Award, London Olympic Torch 2012 Conde Nast Traveller Innovation & Design Award, London Olympic Torch 2011 FX Design Awards: Product of the Year, Tip Ton 2009 Wallpaper*: Best Floor Lamp, Tab 2008 Wallpaper*: Best Domestic Product, Bottle Table 2007 Elle Decoration Magazine: Designer of the Year 2006 Red Dot Award: Best Product, Zero-In 2006 Homes & Gardens Classic Design Awards, Zero-In 2005 Blueprint Magazine: Furniture Designer of Year 2004 Design Week Awards: Best Furniture Design 2003 FX Design Awards: Product of the Year, Stella McCartney ceramic tile 2001 Victoria & Albert Museum Design Awards, Home table 1998 ICFF Editors Award: Best New Designer 2013: D&AD: Yellow Pencil for the London 2012 Olympic Torch
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Barber Osgerby products
Barber Osgerby’s first furniture piece as designers was their ‘Loop Table’ in which was developed in their first studio of West London, called ‘Trellick Tower’ after they had graduated. This piece was a statement piece for them and their genre was apparent after it made its way to the London Design Fair in 1997. From here they reached international fame. Made from bent plywood, the Loop coffee table is available in walnut or oak.
The Zeb stool is simple yet unique, it suits the purpose as a bar stool while maintaining a very clean and sleek design. Using a powder coated die cast aluminum sleeve it allows the customer to add their own flavor, and match existing furniture or paint in their home. This also runs with the modern look which is complimented by the chrome finish on the rest of the stool along with the leather upholstered cushion.
The Mariposa sofa has an adjustment mechanism which allows the occupants to lean back or to the side to a maximum of 30 degrees. The upholstery is soft yet surrounds all of the hard structural elements which keep the sofa comfortable and practical. The Mariposa Sofa can be continuously and silently adjusted only when intentional pressure is applied. Page 3
Loop table orthoganal drawing 1:7 Scale
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Table design sketches 1
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Table design sketches 2
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Sofa design sketches
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Stool design sketches
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Reflection Barber and Osgerby are one of the most influential and succesful design teams in the world today, looking at the clever designs and products they have produced it’s easy to see why. They have won multiple awards in all different catagories and design styles which made it really intersting research them. The broad range of products shows how good they really are showing they can adjust to different environments and still succeed in that area, from furniture to lighting and even the Olympic torch. Another interesting aspect of Barber Osgery is their range of materials and processes, they dont just stick to one thing, they explore new ways to do things and experiment with materials and colours. From heat bending timbers to die casting aluminium, powder coating to upholstery and also moulding plastics and using layers of optional fabrics instead of cushions. I also found they have revolutionised the ways of furniture making and design, for example the Mariposa sofa looks like an ordinary comfortable sofa but it allos the occupants to sit in more ways that one. The side and back of the chair are able to be adjusted by pressure applied, capable of angling 30 degrees back and to the side allowing the occupant to rest and lay back in more positions than a conventional sofa. My designs where inspired by Barber and Osgerby’s work, and i found myself thinking like them tring to add subtle features to increase the appeal of the furniture and while keeping the comfort of the user in mind. In conclusion it was a big eye opener into the world of furniture design and I learnt alot exploring the work of Barber Osgerby, they have been and always will be the leaders in the industry and look forward to seeing more of their work develop and inspire up and coming designers like myself.
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References
1. Anon, (2015). [online] Available at: 1. http://barberosgerby.com/projects/view/Four-Leaves/ [Accessed 18 Apr. 2015]. 2. Alderson, R. (2012). It’s Nice That : Designing London 2012: A look at BarberOsgerby’s Olympic Torch. [online] It’s Nice That. Available at: http://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/designing-london-2012-the-olympic-torch [Accessed 18 Apr. 2015]. – (Quote is the 4th paragraph) 3. Barberosgerby.com, (2015). Barber & Osgerby. [online] Available at: http://barberosgerby.com/studio/about/ [Accessed 26 Apr. 2015]. Figure 1, Loop table: designboom | architecture & design magazine, (2009). barber osgerby interview. [online] Available at: http://www.designboom.com/interviews/designboom-interview-barberosgerby/ [Accessed 14 Apr. 2015]. Figure 2, Zeb stool: Universaldesignstudio.com, (2015). Interior Design, Architectural Design and Furniture Design at Universal Design Studio. [online] Available at: http://www.universaldesignstudio.com/projects/department/28/ [Accessed 15 Apr. 2015]. Figure 3, Mariposa Sofa: Barberosgerby.com, (2015). Barber & Osgerby. [online] Available at: http://barberosgerby. com/studio/about/ [Accessed 26 Apr. 2015].
Matthew Millar
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