Thelastpiece Process Book 01 by Frankie_Hildrick

Frankie Hildrick Process Book

2020/21

Thelastpiece

Prop Task Lamp

Frankie Hildrick

Prop Series - Table and desk

“ Good design is durable. It has

nothing trendy about it which might be out of date tomorrow.” Dieter Rams

FMP 01

Introduction This book follows the process of my final major project as part of Northumbria University’s Design for Industry program. It is an accumulation of the work I have produced during my final year, serving as visual and textual evidence of my design process along the way. Book 01 follows the exploration and ideation stages of my project. I have included both rough and neat work in this book, some to show how I go about my design process from exploration right through to communication, and others to illustrate my own unique methods of creativity that I have acquired and developed over the course of my 4 year journey at Northumbria University.

Contents Exploration 8

Initial brief

Early exploration

Transient living

Furniture waste

Finding flexibility

Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec

Experiments in materiality

28 Collapsibles 32

Experiments in flexibility

Rough ideation

Chat with Eddie Hamilton

Project Notes

Direction 44 Longevity 46

Dieter Rams

Chat with George Pegasiou

Trend analysis

The layers of furniture

Existing products

Experiments in folding

Idea generation

Exploring (re)structure

Project Notes

Ideation 72

Reframing the brief

Project timeline

Finding form

Early material consideration

Considering construction

Concept proposal

A key feature

Proposed configurations

100

Project notes

102

Interview with Lynne White

104

Circular models

110

Interview with Samuel Wilsher

112

Making progress

114

Chat with Laimis Narsutis

116

Transforming setting

118

Sam Hecht & Kim Colin

122

Choosing add-ons

124

Product breakdown

128

Feedback from Eddie

130

Add-ons ideation

134

Feedback from Laimis

136

Accessory development

140

Product families

149

Project notes

Initial Brief With ‘nomadic lifestyles’ becoming increasingly prominent, our homes and their contents need to be flexible and adapt to differing needs throughout the day, and even throughout life. But the uncertainty that comes with this freedom feeds a need for fast furniture; temporary products that are thrown away when surplus to requirements. The need for versatile, sustainable furniture is greater than ever. I imagine that, come the end of this project, I will have created a response to modern life’s need for constant change. People are moving around more often, using their homes for much more than just eating and sleeping, needs and desires can change quickly.

Spike Jonze, ‘Welcome home’ visualisation

Early Exploration From the very start of the project I had been inspired by products with great versatility, with the idea that a space could be pulled and pushed around by the user to create a living area for whatever their needs might be, but could also revert back to its original form, whenever they wanted. Although this may seem very conceptual to start with, I thought that this could be translated into a product or system of some sort, through clever use of materials and mechanisms. I began by looking into current and upcoming living trends, seeking to find an unfulfilled need or specific area that could facilitate such a thing.

Transient Living Increasing house prices mean that many of us are resorting to a nomadic lifestyle of renting and moving on. A lack of freedom and flexibility in rented space can limit the functionality of our homes, whilst uncertainty over future location and space is causing a lack of investment in high quality furniture. Current solutions have made it too easy for consumers to make ill-informed decisions and opt for temporary fixes - often in the form of cheap, poor quality products that serve as place-holders, before upgrading to something better. Unfortunately, it is this poor material quality that provides the consumer with an excuse to dispose of furniture when moving between residencies. In order to grasp an idea of the sort of product that came under this category, I used a foldable table as a side table, and occasionally a desk for a short while. The design avoids fashion through a simple aesthetic, but cheap materials and manufacturing provide an unstable structure, reducing it’s longevity and deeming it unfit for anything but light use.

Foldable table

Furniture Waste Constantly moving from space to space means that many renters opt for solutions like collapsible or flat-pack furniture, however this is often seen as a temporary solution, resulting in huge amounts of waste in the long run. With relatively new concepts in the world of the sharing economy taking off, I started thinking about ways that a product could become more durable. Not solely in the sense that one item can last for a long period of time, but also that a system can be used to replenish and revive items, in a circular process. This can create a sense of shared ownership, what was once mine is now yours, sort of.

Finding flexibility Continuing with the idea that flexible solutions that can be adapted to new spaces and needs, I decided to look into unique ways to achieve flexibility, mainly through unusual or unorthodox materials. To do this I conducted desk research into products that exude flexibility, seeking to find the common properties that makes them so success in their versatility.

[Top] Textile softwall, Molo [Bottom] Twigs and Algues, Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec

Ready Made Curtain, 2013 20

Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec

One unique design that I came across was the Ready Made Curtain, by French designers, and brothers, Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, who I have been interested in for some time. What makes the curtain successful is its reliance on the user to decide what size it will be. The idea is to remove perfection from the product, resulting in a more organic final design, with a simple but effective construction. Although this wasn’t exactly along the same lines as my thinking, it did provoke thoughts about using materials that allow users to easily ‘hack’ a product, not only in search of a more open and honest design, but also to give users a greater sense of ownership. 21

Experiments in materiality In search of a material that could offer both flexibility and circularity, I decided to experiment with paper, testing different uses through focusing on its various qualities, including folding and layering. Looking back, the idea to use paper seems to be almost too experimental and possibly a little naive. However, at the time I thought that with careful material curation, I could play on the recyclable nature of paper to integrate products into a circular system, creating a longer life-cycle. The first experiment involves exploring paper as a structural material. Folding and interlinking sheets in different formations can provide a surprisingly strong yet flexible structure that can be expanded and compressed. This could be applied to furniture as a means to make lightweight structures or as a method of expansion.

Basic concertina mechanism

A simple concertina has been integrated into a scale model here. It makes for a reasonable collapsible table, but it retains a feeling of the kind of product that I am trying to avoid.

Using friction as a method of expansion

This test uses overlapping layers of paper as a test of bonding and controlled expansion. The aim is for friction to give an element of resistance, resulting in a structure that can be expanded when the user requires, and stable when in use. Not all tests go to plan, however. The friction caused here proved too resistant to be useful. Possibly with larger sheets, or a different material, the outcome would be different.

A look into concertinas, in Per Mollerup’s ‘Collapsibles’ Book

Collapsibles (& expandables) After reflecting on the experiments I decided to turn my attention to other methods of flexibility. My tutor, Anthony Forsyth, recommended that I read ‘Collapsibles: A Design Album of Space-Saving Objects’ by Danish designer Per mollerup. In his book, Per Mollerup explains that collapsibility is a form of adjustment, and without adjustment, there is no future. This epitomised my aims in reducing furniture waste, and prompted me to conduct research into more mechanical forms of flexibility, such as the concertina principle used in television studios, utensils and furniture.

Per Mollerup

Thomas Heatherwick

In an attempt to solve the problems I had during the first experiment, I did some more research into expansion, and arrived at a range of products by British designer Thomas Heatherwick. Heatherwick Studio has designed a series of expanding objects including a bowl, carpet, magazine and table. The products all use a pivoting lattice that can be stretched out to adapt to different spaces. The table is particularly interesting. It has been constructed using sheets of paper set in resin, proving that paper can be used in furniture. Although the use of resin completely thwarts the idea of creating a circular product.

Friction Table 31

3D-printed screw mechanism

Experiments in flexibility After research into mechanics I decided to conduct some more experiments into flexibility. The first of which is more of an expansion from the previous exploration, looking at a layered concertina. The second was arguably the most successful yet. I had imagined a concept that used a screw-like mechanism for expansion and so iterated three models, looking for a method of controlled extension, much like Thomas Heatherwicks table.

This experiment is a more complex concertina to previous efforts. Although paper is used, it is solely for ease of modelling, as a way to mimic a pivot system. When layered and stood on its end, the concertina provides a surprisingly strong structure.

Mechanisms for expansion using 3D printed male and female threads. Sloping the threads at 3 different angles allowed for components to be pushed and pulled apart rather than unscrewed, whilst maintaining an element of resistance for stability.

Rough ideation Initial concepts have emerged in the form of a table. This is something that has developed since the beginning of the project, due to the nature of tables and the fact that they are a central product to the home - they cater for many activities that we undertake in daily life. Seeing my experiments starting to take a form made me think about what I really wanted to achieve. The sketches and ideas that I was producing seemed unrealistic, almost too conceptual or gimmicky, and were far away from achieving a product that stood for what I initially believed in. Yes, they were flexible solutions, but they did not feel like products that people would want to use for a long time, or last a long time, for that matter.

Sketches - Rapid expansion

Chat with Eddie Hamilton Eddie is an ex-DFI graduate, now working as an Industrial designer at Seymour Powell in London. He specialises in sustainability driven innovation, with experience working on circular economy projects. I had a video call with Eddie to see what he thought about my project. One of the things that Eddie mentioned that stuck with me was that a product that can be reconfigured will be more durable than an extendible design. He explained that if I want to create a product with sustainability at its core, it should focus on durability, and reverting back to more traditional, less restrictive materials might help with this. Eddie also liked my thoughts about sustainability, and suggested that I look into different forms of circularity in order to create a product that is truly durable.

Project notes After speaking to Eddie I found myself with a re-aligned focus on functional products, rather than aesthetic, conceptual pieces. I think initially I have been trying to create something different, however, considering what Eddie has said, and having tackled projects involving modularity before, I feel as though I am now naturally drawn to a reconfigurable solution. Therefore, moving forward I would like to explore this in greater detail. Rather than trying to create something completely new, I see this project as an opportunity to expand on something I have only really scratched the surface of before, but is also an area that greatly interests me.

Longevity Discussions with Eddie prompted me to think about the different ways that longevity and circularity can be achieved. Despite the change in direction, I still maintain that flexibility is a key aspect to my project, and so started to think about how a product with both flexibility and longevity could be achieved. In order to gain a different perspective on the project, I researched the infamous German designer, Dieter Rams, looking specifically at his design philosophy, which I inevitably agreed with.

606 Universal Shelving System

620 Chair Programme

Dieter Rams proves that both flexibility and longevity can be achieved through honest, modular design. He admits that most of his furniture has been designed in systems, with the 606 Shelving System existing as an obvious case. However the 620 Chair is also an example of modularity. Despite not appearing as obviously reconfigurable, the 620 can be connected to another chair to create a sofa, and also offers the option to have a swivel base or castors. And, with a variety of CMF options, the 620 is a truly flexible product, which tells me that there is more than one way to design for flexibility.

Dieter Rams

In fact, Dieter Rams’ work shows me that flexibility and longevity can go hand in hand. Through giving users more freedom to personalise their products, design can serve to give itself a new lease of life, even if the customisable components are not necessarily new.

Chat with George Pegasiou George is the Design Insights Manager at Howden’s in East Yorkshire, and has previously worked as a furniture designer for Tom Dixon. I know George from a previous University project that focused on modular furniture, so I got in touch to see how he would tackle this brief. George seemed enthusiastic about the topic I had chosen, but had some areas that I could expand on in order to make my exploration more thorough. He explained the importance of considering both long term and short term uses. If the product is to be for changing needs and lifestyles, it is important to understand what those changing needs and lifestyles are. He also said that looking at lifestyle trends from macro to micro would allow me to identify a more specific problem in the home - something that is a driving force of change.

Hybrid typologies - products that cater for changing needs

Trend Analysis Following on from George’s comments, I decided to look into trends in order to gain a focal point for the product. I felt that it was important to look into trends that were not based on aesthetic preferences, but use and purchase habits. I then mapped out the trends suited to flexibility, to those that cater for longevity, although all are selected due to their ability to fulfil both departure points.

Flexibility

At home empires

Personalisation

Recently homes have been stretched to more than just places for eating and sleeping. Spaces need to adapt to whatever our daily needs may be.

Products and services that are tailored to our needs can add functionality and provide a more individual aesthetic.

Longevity

Selective Consumption

Quality over quantity. Being more selective about what we consume and investing in high quality products that are built to last.

Collaborative Consumption

Offering products in a sharing economy gives users greater access to high quality items and return them when they are no longer needed.

The multi-purpose home We are demanding more and more from our living spaces. As our homes get smaller, we will need to value small spaces as much as large ones, using unique solutions and new innovations that increase functionality, and maximise the ways that we can use a space. By considering both long and short term user behaviours, I found that a product with hybrid typologies could be an appropriate solution of long term changes, such as moving from space to space. Whilst the inclusion of personalised extras fulfil more of the short term needs in relation to specific tasks, such as exercising, or working from home. After some more research and user interviews I decided to focus on working from home. Of course the recent pandemic influenced this decision, but I also believe that the lines between work and home are becoming increasingly blurred, and this will only grow. The workplace has already been influenced by domestic spaces, and we are now seeing those two categories merge.

Collaborative Consumption One of the main problems behind furniture waste is the lack of access to high quality products. Users would almost definitely opt for high-end products if they could afford them, but they simply cannot. Like I mentioned before, users do not purchase cheap products to keep forever, they are simply place-holders, something that will do the job before they can afford to upgrade to something better. With collaborative consumption we can afford to be more selective over the products that we use. We have already seen that it is welcomed by many in the form of services such as Uber, Airbnb and Spotify. Although renting furniture is not entirely the same, and won’t be welcomed by everyone, it can still be achieved if executed correctly. By pairing collaborative consumption with a circular model, furniture can stay in the loop longer through replenishment of components, fulfilling economic and environmental needs. Whilst the inclusion of hybrid typologies and add-ons can satisfy the social needs of the user.

Collect

Distribute

Assemble

Reuse Source

(Re)Manufacture

Use

Basic circular model

The layers of furniture In order to outline a direction for ideation, I began applying the trends to form a model for furniture rental. It was important that I defined this model, as it allowed me to set parameters for the design of the product from overall aesthetic, to materials, and construction. Collaborative consumption models exist, but to be successful the product must be designed to suit. The need for a long lasting product not only requires components that can be easily removed for reconfiguration, replenishment and personalisation, but also a fashionless appearance, void of any form of ‘purchase simulation’ aesthetic. I was naturally drawn towards typologies that seem the obvious choice to be reconfigured from the main product (table). These include a desk, shelving unit and sideboard; although my primary focus currently remains on the table at this time.

1. Frame - Durable components that are rarely replaced. Designed in a modular system to maximise versatility and allow for multiple reconfigurations 2. Surfaces - Top layers that are lightweight but durable, designed to cater for all configurations. Can be easily remanufactured/refurbished due to frequent use 3. Add-ons - Additional products designed to increase functionality. These are changed most frequently, rented whenever the user requires them

Initial design language

Enfold Sideboard, Thomas Bentzen

Existing products After finally defining a direction for my project I began to look into existing products, seeking to find a visual simplicity for my product, form that is informed by function. I came across a sideboard from Muuto with punched metal doors that reminded me of the front of a radiator. The idea behind this was to make the doors as durable as possible - the folded ridges provide an otherwise thin and flexible part with added strength, whilst also using less material.

Experiments in folding After discovering the ‘Enfold Sideboard’ I wanted to conduct my own experiments into folding sheet material. Once again due to COVID-19 restrictions I had to substitute the metal for paper and card, but the principles remained the same. The idea was to create a folded surface that avoids warping when under pressure, whilst also keeping weight down and maintaining a slim profile.

This is a very crude form of testing but it did provoke some thoughts about my product. The most surprising outcome was the effect of the second model. Despite not having any additional ridges, the product maintained its structure. Using this method could significantly reduce material use, and increase durability at the same time.

Double layered surface, with added ridges

Developed ideation

Idea generation After a short hiatus I returned to my sketchbook to generate some new ideas based on my new direction. Using influences from visual research as a reference. At this stage I chose to remain focused on the table to begin with, as opposed to other configurations and add-ons. During ideation the theme of folded surfaces continued. I felt that the aesthetic that came with folded sheets was honest and versatile, but also provided a means of attachment to the frame. As a result, most of my sketches were built around the surfaces.

Early maquettes

Exploring (re)structure As the project is nearing the end of part 01, I created some quick soft models, initially turning my sketches into maquettes, followed by a more free flowing process, experimenting with reconfiguration and a variety of surface arrangements. I found this exercise useful to bring some of my ideas to life, I think it almost cemented the kind of product that I wanted to create, and gave me a clear direction going into part 02. One particular observation that I made related to the use of pine dowel. Initially the dowel was chosen for ease of modelling, but the warmth that the wood added to the models gave them a more homely feel, balancing out the industrial presence of the ‘folded metal’ surfaces.

Project notes After ideation and some very early soft modelling I now find myself with a much clearer end goal for the project. My willingness to create a product with honesty and simplicity is certainly doable, but I can appreciate that will simplicity comes complexity. Moving forward I plan to read deeper into some of the works of designers whom I admire, hoping that some of their methods of achieving products like this will be reflected in my work. I am also aware that time is of the essence in this project, so settling on a form for my product as soon as possible will be necessary to give me enough time to refine the detail to a point where I have a complete, considered product.

FMP 02

Reframing the brief Modern, ever-changing lifestyles have led to a throw-away culture whereby aesthetic and cost is more important than quality and durability. In response, I hope to design an honest, functional system of reconfigurable products, complete with add-ons. This system will be tied into a collaborative consumption model, providing greater access to quality sustainable furniture. After advice from my tutor, I have constructed a time plan for the remainder of the project. I hope that this will keep me on track to produce a successful product by the end of the project.

Project Timeline

Further refinement Prototyping* Material consideration Speaking to user group/validators Soft modelling Form finalisation Visualisation Form refinement Further exploration

w28

Semester 2 start

Return to NCL*

Visualisation + Photography Presentation + Communication Final making*

Testing

CAD modelling

Spring Break

Final Hand-in *Relying on government guidance

Finding form After soft modelling I had found myself with a particular aesthetic surrounding my designs. This was not something that I intentionally pushed for, but rather an accidental discovery of simplicity, through focusing on construction rather than form. Though developed sketches I naturally attempted to add complexity to the concepts, something that I think we often believe is absolutely essential during the development stage, although this is not necessarily the right way to move forward. Sometimes, and with this project in particular, I think that stripping a product down to its essentials leads to greater success.

Early material consideration Initially I had planned to leave material consideration until later on in the project, but as the design is being driven by functionality and circularity, materials have become a central element to the success of the project. Continuing with the theme of wood and metal, I outlined what materials I planned to use for the two main elements; the frame and surfaces. At this stage I did not feel it was necessary to dive into the design of the add-ons just yet, with the furniture itself taking priority.

Surface component

Frame component

Surfaces I have been naturally drawn towards folded metal throughout the project, due to its raw functionality and versatility. After some initial concerns about the thickness needed to maintain structural integrity, I was able to get into the workshop on campus to test some sheet metal. I discussed my plans with Jonny Hayes, the Industrial Design Technician, who helped me with the material tests on the metal brake. Johnny seemed to think that the metal surfaces were achievable, but may need some additional support to avoid warping under pressure. It was at this point that I realised that the folds in the surfaces could be used to hide any screws or fixings that may give the table an overly utilitarian aesthetic. It was a kind of, happy accident, if you like.

Comparing folded steel & aluminium sheets

Various wooden beams

Frame The materials for the frame are more driven by existing products and traditional manufacturing techniques. My initial choice was to use wood for the frame, with Oak as a preference. Oak is a commonly used material for furniture that brings warmth both in appearance and feel, and is also natural, playing into circularity aspect. Often when wood and metal are paired together in furniture, the frame would be metal, and the surfaces wooden. However I was keen to keep the folded metal in the design, resulting in a more unique look for the product.

Working out construction through quick sketches

Considering construction An initial look at how some existing products are constructed, to gain a sense of how my product could be assembled to a point whereby it is structurally sound. As I have little experience in this field, I looked closely at highend products to gain the understanding needed to grasp an initial idea of how my product would be constructed. With the inclusion of a rental model, it is vital that the product can be broken down into its individual elements. Everything must come apart. 85

Concept proposal A modular product system, designed to be broken down into its individual components to suit the collaborative consumption model. The concept is reconfigurable through interchangeable components that can be structured to create a table, desk, sideboard and shelving unit. The surfaces cater for all typologies, and are designed for ease of removal through two central bolts that tie the surfaces to the central beam. The table has been designed to facilitate working from home through a central tray and panel, included to manage electrical cables and house additional products that enhance functionality.

Concept expansion

A key feature The split surface design, originally inherited to cater for easy reconfiguration and resizing (from table to desk/sideboard/ shelving unit) presents the opportunity to make cable management a key feature, through the use of a central channel. The central beam, made from folded sheet metal, doubles as a cable tray, which is covered by a metal panel that runs along the length of the table. The idea is that this panel can be raised by users to give access to cables for any electrical devices that they might use whilst working from home. The central panel is also used as a fixing, using two bolts to pin the surfaces to the frame, allowing for fast reconfiguration, and an enjoyable assembly experience.

Central panel

Proposed configurations The various configurations can be achieved through additional components, and in the case of the shelving unit, methods of stacking. Whilst playing around with the various configurations and potential contexts that the product could be set up in, I began to imagine what the system may look like in a working environment. Since the beginning of the project, the focus has been on living spaces, but with the inclusion of add-ons, consideration of WFH and reconfigurable nature, there is potential for the product to be used in the workplace.

I developed initial visualisations through quick sketches, focusing on the context of the product a bit more. Seeing the product in both living and working settings allowed me to imagine the different ways that users might use the system, provoking some thought about what kind of additional products might be appropriate.

Early 1:10 maquette

In order to reaffirm my thoughts about using the product in the workspace, I mocked up a quick 1:10 scale model, using standard measurements for office furniture. In doing this I realised that the scale suited to the workplace was not appropriate for the home, meaning that I would have to produce a range of sizes in order to cater for both environments. As a result, I returned my focus to living spaces, although I am glad that I explored this avenue. There is still a possibility for the home-sized product to be used in the workplace, but I think if the system was to be truly suited to both environments, the visual simplicity would be compromised.

Project notes Now that I have a solid proposal in place for my product, I feel that it is a good time to begin exploring and ideating the circular model that the product will be integrated into. I am considering using a website mock-up to communicate the service behind my product, however at this stage I do not feel it is necessary to focus on that deliverable, although it is something that I will keep in mind as I continue on through the design process. As a starting point I decided to reach out to some furniture manufacturers to get some of their thoughts on the sharing economy, and whether they thought it would be a viable option for the near future.

100

Interview with Lynne White Lynne is the Head of Business Development at Swyft, a Londonbased furniture company that produce ‘Sofas In A Box’ with a focus on ease of delivery, assembly, and sustainability. I got in touch to get some of her views on collaborative consumption in the furniture industry. Lynne believes that there will be room for both access and ownership of furniture in the future, but products must be well designed, sustainable and easy to maintain in order to be successful in a CC model. Lynne also claimed that furniture rental can be beneficial to users due to faster delivery times, something I had not previously considered. “I think as we become more environmentally aware and the impact furniture has on the environment, with mileage and manufacturing too then more people will look to rent rather than buy cheaply and then dispose of, so they can still have quality products but not the full outlay for a period of time until they settle long term in their home.” Lynne also mentioned that she is working with two furniture rental trade companies, and recommended that I look into one of Swyft’s rental partners Monty Space to get a better idea of how their service works.

101

Circular models Using research and findings from interviews to analyse existing circular models from furniture rental companies, as well as other businesses in the circular economy, to determine a frame that would work alongside a modular furniture concept.

AR visualisation Useful to give the user an idea of what the product might look like in their space. Could this be used to help with sizing and dimensions?

Inspiration/lifestyle images Showing the product in real-life situations to give a better feel of user experience. Curation/suggestions With so many options and possibilities, curated, pre-configured options could be offered to help the user make a decision. These could be categorised by spatial, functional or aesthetic needs.

Launch Website

Products

Configurator

Base products

CMF selection

User guide shows the users how to use the configurator in the best way possible. Product dimensions Showing product dimensions in ways that make sizing easier to understand for the user. Possibly in context?

Service exploration map

102

Additional product info Offers users any extra information on the product. Labels can be used to give users a greater understanding of the product breakdown.

The membership model After considering various forms of rental I opted for the membership model. This format suits the nature of the product, offering users more personalised packages, catered to the products that they require. 1. Cost - thanks to the sharing economy; more affordable products of a higher quality. 2. Reuse - due to the long lasting nature of the product, through quality and aesthetics, but also thanks to the rental service that allows a product to be used by different users throughout its life. 3. Flexibility - a product tailored to the users needs/tastes, alongside a membership that can be adjusted to no end.

103

Source

Reuse (Re)Manufacture Quality assurance

Collect

Transport

Adapt

(Re)Configure

End of life

Use Disassemble Renew Subscription end

Purchase

Maintain

Service plan

Collaborative consumption concept map 104

Collaborative consumption Good design should be attainable by the masses. After research into existing circular systems, I used the basic concept of membership, and integrated it into my own collaborative consumption model. This means that memberships can be adjusted to suit the varying needs of users, providing multiple options including rental and ownership, each with flexibility and longevity as the focal point.

Potential paths A.

User ends membership and returns products

User buys out products with option for maintenance

User renews existing membership, keeps products

User renews membership with adjustments 105

A video call with the Monty Space CEO

106

Interview with Samuel Wilsher Following Lynne’s recommendation I contacted Samuel Wilsher, the CEO and Founder of Monty Space, a furniture rental company based in London. I thought this was a good opportunity to test the validity of my concept, and also receive some feedback from Samuel. To begin I asked Samuel about some of the concerns I had over furniture renting. He was honest about the concept, claiming that although there is an initial, inevitable reluctancy towards furniture rental, it is a growing sector with a promising future. Samuel also noted that he has found his customers to be more respectful over rented products, making the need for refurbishment less common. Samuel went on to explain that much of his customers are younger people living in rented accommodation, and it is very rare that older users will rent as they are often settled. This is something that I had thought about previously, resulting in the inclusion of an option to buy. After explaining my own concept to Samuel his feedback was very positive. He reassured me that furniture rental can be effective, and thought the concept of designing products specifically for rental was a promising idea, that he hadn’t previously considered.

107

Making progress Now that I have validation for my collaborative consumption concept, I feel it is the right time to begin looking into the addons in more detail. I had initially touched on this area during sketching exercises, but not in any great detail. At this stage I know that the add-ons will be used to add functionality to the system, but I am not sure exactly what form they will take. Maybe something to organise the workspace? Or a screen to make working from home a bit more private?

108

109

110

Chat with Laimis Narsutis Laimis is an ex-DFI graduate. When we spoke he was working as an Industrial Designer at DCA in Warwick, but has now moved onto Ruroc, working as a UX Designer. I got in touch with Laimis to discuss my project, specifically looking for guidance on the ideation process for the add-ons. Laimis liked the direction of my project, and had some really interesting thoughts regarding ways to take it forward. He suggested that I should begin by breaking down the product into its various elements and creating a moodboard of existing designs, in order to refine the product to better suit the circular model. One specific area that he prompted me to look into was the assembly experience, noting that it was the minor details that can really make a product. When I asked him for guidance in deciding what the add-ons should be, he explained that the add-ons should enhance space, and be the most useful that they can possibly be, but ultimately they must fit with the key values that the project stands for.

111

Transforming setting After thinking about what Laimis said to me regarding the addons, and using them to enhance space, I attended our weekly tutorial with an aim to discuss this with my tutor and peers. Anthony questioned whether the accessories could be used to transform a setting, and prompted me to take a deeper look into this idea. Continuing with this thought, I began looking into products commonly used to define the two main uses of the table; working/focusing and living/relaxing - although some products are often used in both contexts.

112

A typical working/dining setting

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[Top] Cordless phone [Bottom] Formwork for Herman Miller 114

Kim Colin & Sam Hecht, Industrial Facility

Sam Hecht & Kim Colin, founders of Industrial Facility, are designers who I have had great admiration for during my time at University. Transforming setting is something that Sam Hecht and Kim Colin do extremely well. Their ability to consider the reality of a product allows them to create a level of usefulness that many would not even consider when designing a product as simple as a telephone, for example. They also often produce products with an element of openness, something that I believe is a result of tireless efforts to achieve supreme simplicity. And, although simple products can often lack character, theirs always maintain an approachable nature and soft aesthetic, that makes you want to use them.

115

Civic collection for Herman Miller

Here, in their Civic Table collection for Herman Miller, Sam Hecht and Kim Colin make use of various shapes, colours, materials and finishes to create variation in space and setting. But what is the reason? “so that when you look at a table for dining, for example, you don’t feel like it’s a conference table that has been repurposed” - Kim Colin

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Kim Colin makes a valid point, but I also think it is important to consider the other elements. Yes, these tables all have different colours and finishes, but their contents change, and give the perception of a different purpose. Thinking about the add-ons in my own design, something as simple as a pen tray can change the entire feeling of a table, yet the same item filled with fruit, or perhaps a rolled up newspaper, is perceived in a completely different light.

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Choosing add-ons After some research and deliberation I now have my chosen add-ons. The aim of the add-ons is to be as useful as possible, with the ability to change the atmosphere of the room in which the table sits. They consist of a task lamp, candle holder, privacy screen, tabletop power access, and tray: The task lamp was an obvious choice for me. Adequate light is essential for working conditions, and light has an unrivalled ability to alter atmosphere. The candle holder can be used to create a more intimate setting, primarily dining or relaxing. In doing so, it acts as a kind of opposite to the task lamp. The privacy screen is something that I have had in mind since I decided to include the add-ons. Its presence gives an explicit feeling of a working environment, and although it cannot completely isolate its user, it serves as a divider to section the table into more private, defined work spaces. Table top power access is included to avoid frustration when charging devices. In the modern world the need for access to electricity is almost a constant. The tray is the most open of all additional products. It can be used to hold whatever the user sees fit.

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Design inspiration 119

Product breakdown Now that I have defined the add-on categories, I returned to Laimis’ idea about creating a moodboard. Although my focus will be initially on the add-ons, I plan to return to the board when refining the other elements later.

Add-ons/accessories Includes components needed for reconfiguration, as well as addons that enhance space and functionality. (Re)configuration Concentrating on simplicity to make assembly and reconfiguration more enjoyable for users, and deconstruction easier for manufacturers, and less impactful on the environment. Cable management Based on creating a seamless user experience, avoiding frustration when connecting devices. Storage of components Tidy storage of components that are not in use -finding ways to use space in the most efficient way possible

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Creating a moodboard

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Cable management

(Re)configuration

Based on facilitating natural behaviour to create an intuitive experience.

Concentrating on simplicity to ma and reconfiguration more enjoyab deconstruction easier for manufac

Seamless user experience Direct access to power?

Satisfying assembly Natural behaviour - turning a habit into a product feature with a meaning

Accentuating fixings

Packaging consideration Easy access to cables

Storage of components Tidy storage of components that are not in use - how can space be used in the most efficient way possible?

Configurable add-ons?

Can this be built into the structure?

Functional whilst in ‘storage’?

Product breakdown moodboard

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Add-ons/accessories

ake assembly ble for users, and cturers.

Includes components needed for reconfiguration, as well as add-ons that enhance space and functionality.

Can accessories have an openness to them? Allowing the user to choose the function

The reassurance of audible cues

Multifunctional add-ons for dual use

Use of materials and accessories to change the feeling of a product/space

Multi-functional add-ons to switch between works and home settings

Portable add-ons use outside of the system?

Raw functionality

Contrasting forms/ materials?

Materials/Manufacturing Balancing convenience and structure

Must be considered across all features to enable efficient manufacturing, and allow for recycling/remanufacturing at end of life

Linoleum to soften surfaces?

Designing to age gracefully

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Feedback from Eddie I spoke with Eddie again to show him the progress I had made since our last meeting. It has been quite some time since I last spoke to Eddie, and my project has progressed a lot in that time, so I was interested to get his thoughts on my new direction and progress. Eddie was much more enthusiastic about my new direction, compared to the last time we had spoke. He was impressed with my circular economy model, but encouraged me to consider the elegance of the product. As reconfiguration requires additional fixings and connections, he warned me about the product becoming too functional, losing the essence of the product. By this point I had gathered enough imagery for my moodboard to start ideating the add-ons, so I wanted to get some tips from Eddie to increase my creativity and productivity during this task He suggested that I sketch as many ideas on possible based on the add-ons categories, aiming for around one hundred ideas; a target to boost productivity.

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Add-ons ideation Taking Eddie’s suggestions and making them happen. I used my mood board as a reference and created as many concepts as I could, pooling my sketches according to the type of add-on that I had previously decided on. I decided to use post-it notes for this exercise in order to focus more on the idea and less on the quality of sketch. At this stage the sketches were rough, but effective enough to communicate my ideas. The ideas were largely an exploration of form, attempting to maintain the visual simplicity of the table whilst creating concepts that could add functionality from varying perspectives - the element of openness often found in Industrial Facility’s work.

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Post it sketches 127

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Feedback from Laimis After initial ideation for the add-ons, I got back in touch with Laimis for some feedback. In regards to continuing with the development of the add-ons, he suggested that creating a family of products that share the same language and identity would aid my decision making, making it easier to choose a set of products to move forward to refinement. He added that the add-ons should be as simple as possible, not distracting from the main product, although this is something I have had in mind for some time. Laimis also brought to my attention the need for an effective method of communication for the user journey. He prompted me to think about the user journey and the possible routes, how the user decides what they want. Following on from this, I feel that now is the time to start thinking about website mock-up more.

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Accessory development After speaking with Laimis, I decided that refining my concepts further was necessary in order to define two clear, contrasting families to choose from. To begin I picked out some of the more promising ideas from my post-it notes, and started expanding and iterating in my sketchbook.

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Add-ons refinement

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Add-ons concept pages

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A continuation of language After ideation and initial refinement I now have my two product families. The first family takes cues from the design language of the table surfaces, making use of folded sheet metal for a very functional, straightforward aesthetic, although, the task lamp also takes inspiration from traditional bankers lamps. Each of the add-ons is designed to slot into the central channel that runs along the length of the table, hence the rectangular form. Although this family fits with the aesthetic of the product well, I think it is possibly a bit too reflective of the original design, and a more contrasting look would be better suited.

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A complementing contrast The second product family concept has been stripped down to simplicity. There is a focus on the essentials to create a collection of products that communicate a clear use to the user, whilst also offering an element of openness, leaving the user to decide how they wish to make use of them. Whilst the circular shape has been chosen to contrast that of the table, it also allows for a set of products that can be used in any orientation, so a rounded form seemed appropriate. This set of products also uses a plug system, whereby they can be pushed into holes along the central channel, for a quicker adaptation of setting. I have decided to take this set forward for refinement, something that mostly comes down to pared-back simplicity. With the addons having their own, unobtrusive language the can exist alone without confrontation. The reality of products like these is that they will not be used exclusively with the table, desk, sideboard or shelving unit that I have designed, and if they are to last the test of time then an aesthetic like this is necessary.

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The importance of context When reading Industrial Facility’s monograph, I came across a lecture by Sam Hecht at Kyoto Institute of Technology in Japan. It focused on ‘the importance of context’, and how products must be thought of in their different realities in order to achieve something that is more than just a product. After reading this I began to consider the reality of the add-ons; contemplating everything around them - the different ways that users choose to use them, how they spend their lives - in order to create a product that is much more. Relating this to one of the add-ons in particular; currently I have a tray which appears as a bit of an anomaly. It does not plug into anything, but can be used with the other products in a more open way. So what if the tray could be used to hold the add-ons outside of the system? Considering this, I have decided that a ‘base’ could be used instead of the tray, providing a platform for use outside of the table system. Users could now unplug the lamp and place it on a shelf, or carry the handle holder to a different room, and set it down on the coffee table, for example.

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The various realities of a candle

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A base for... I began iterating the design of the base to find a form that shared the same language as the family of addons, seeking ways that it could be used in various situations by different users. I think there could be an opportunity to make it more than just a base, and facilitate other common behaviours in the home setting, so I plan to model and iterate in order to get a better grasp of what that feature might be. Again, I was drawn to using a circular shape for the base, it seemed the right choice to follow on from the other add-ons, especially if it is to be used in conjunction with them.

Rough sketches of base

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Flexibility Longevity Universality Sustainability Personality

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Project notes Looking back on the journey so far, I am pleased with my progress. I think that the change in direction during part 01 was definitely the right decision, and my final product will benefit from that. The move from a conceptual piece to a more functional product that focuses on longevity, has allowed me to focus on what I really wanted to achieve in reducing furniture waste. Now that I am starting to move towards the end of the project, I feel that it is the right time to begin refining my concept and looking at the details more. I have outlined some key departure points relating to the aims of the project, allowing me to maintain consistency with the direction of my project through to communication.

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