Component one Jake Phillips
Possible projects and design ideas First I must find a project and item that I can , research design and refine. I’m set towards something that would be used domestically or be storage based but possibly multifunctional. This leaves me with an array of possibilities I will narrow down on.
Tool organisers and fishing organisers
Tool boxes and tool organisers also are clunky and displeasing in design, the contrast between tools and flimsy plastic boxes is an unusual quality lacking mix. I think a natural design to effectively mix storage optimisation with pleasing aesthetics and ergonomic could help these similar designs be useful for at home or out fishing .
I believe designs can be mixed successfully to improve transportation and reduce the amount that has to be carried between chairs/stools and the tool boxes Whilst very useful for containing multiple tools and devices fishing boxes are normally large and hard to transport especially along with seats rods etc.
Specification •
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Materials and finish- when looking at materials I believe that wood would be the most suited to a desk for a bedroom. I could use a natural wood or MDF as it is easy to apply a painted finish to so it can be colour coordinated to specific rooms. Natural wood such as pine has arguably a nicer aesthetic however and takes a finish so depending on the final design I will choose what is more suitable. There would also possibly be metal fixings or just wooden joints and glue. Features- my desk will ideally feature storage in the form of drawers and shelves, a broad surface for use of a computer and writing etc. Easy access to plug sockets for electronic components. Another possible feature to make it efficient in confined spaces would be a swivel top or expanding part.
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Budgets and ethicality- To keep costs low I will try to use recycled wool or manmade wood which is made from scraps of wood. This means there’s less waste and a cheaper cost. Production will be one off and therefore not require jigs and lots of machinery like mass produced or bath products.
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Ergonomics,anthopometrics and safety- To make sure the desk will be comfortable and safe to use there must be no sharp edges or splintering wood. The mechanisms such as the possible swivel top must be flush and have gaps either small enough to avoid punching skin or large enough to allow easy removal. To make the desk comfortable to use I will look at the anthropometrics of seating to allow my desk to have enough legroom underneath for maximum comfort.
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Aesthetics and location- my desk will primarily be used in apartments or bedrooms in confined space. Because of this I want it to be non intrusive and spatially confined whilst adding to the rooms overall aesthetic by follow typical modern design schemes (sleek edges and clean surfaces). In a modern bedroom less intimidate details like carved wood or dark stains and polished woods are required however I do like traditional colour schemes. A collision between modern aesthetic and traditional colours could work well so the use of dark stained wood surfaces and black sides for example still suit a more modern white room adding a more dynamic range to the furnishing. Construction and fittings- I will construct it myself with small use from machinery for plain and clean edges. Fitting will ideally be flush or invisible so maintain a sleek aesthetic. Wooden joints and glue always works well and adds detail if done correctly.
Design brief
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To produce a desk which solves the problem of saving space and providing storage in small rooms.
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Must have large amounts of storage, suitable for bigger objects and smaller such as pens etc.
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Aesthetically pleasing and natural to suit a bedroom environment.
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Should have a seating area and flat surface ideal for drawing, writing or using the computer.
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Should hide any wires and leave a flush surface so it fits into the corner of a room
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Possible moving parts- e.g swivel top or folding surfaces to maximise space.
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Drawers, shelves and compartments.
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May follow the themes such as natural and organic or the more practical theme of industrial design.
Primary research Here I have taken photos of furnishing from my house that could directly inspire my desk. I’ve looked at similar items such as tables organisers and drawer units. Although I want an original design understanding the fundamental is important otherwise my design will loose all practicality.
Here I have looked at design books with a primary focus on furnishing. It gives me a better understanding of aesthetic possibly whilst maintaining the practicality.
This table produced by Eric petit along side Augustin Scott de Martinville and Gregorie Jeammond has a lovely modern aesthetic suited possible for my design. Sleek surfaces and sharp edges are amplified by the non conventional angles of the legs and joints themselves instead of the typical right angle.
On the other end of the spectrum The Marcel bruer armchair encompasses comfort. The use of natural materials (wood) with a rounder more flowing shape this would also fit in a bedroom environment when transferred across to a desk design.
I think this design although different could be adapted as symmetry would be more aesthetically pleasing due to the geometric nature of it. I wouldn’t consider this a Here looking at Eric petite table design I made primary observational drawings in different media and design but will try and use then adapted it to suit a desk design. The features as I draft angle and varying angles make a much continue with more modern and interesting design as there’s no right angles in the structure but yet research and design. your left with a rectangular top perfect for a desk
This design is inspired by the curved s in the Fuji cabinet. It brings out curved edges in the design whilst still fitting inside a cubic shape meaning it will fit in a room. The s would supply storage in the form of shelves but to develop this design I must add more featured making it more versatile and useful The Cad design allowed me to see how practical a curved plane coupe be as there could be obvious issues with laptops or pens etc not being balanced if misplaced.
Primary research model making
This model making was entirely random to allow for forms to be found that normally wouldn’t be thought of. I then took to different media (digital drawing and sketching) to reading a possible desk.
Model making For this design I also tried to be random but integrated curvature for a interesting shape to be produced. I think this design is interesting but not exactly very practical and would require more stability when supporting weight. I think it could be tweaked or added to a future design with use of curvature.
To take the abstract and stylistic designs even further I used plastic and wire to create very different structures. I like the variation of curved surfaces but sharp folds adding to modern aesthetic that could add to a regular bedroom etc.
With this model I purely looked at function and storage. Aesthetically it is lacklustre but it could always be integrated as one part of a more intricate desk that has multiple functions. I looked at the wireframe also to see if it could be altered to suit other structures with a change in scale or shape.
Design 1
With this design I looked at my wireframe and altered it. The change in levels whilst looking cubic inspired me to make a more modular design with two seating areas. One could be dedicated to computing whilst the other with a larger surface can be for writing etc.
With use of CAD I added curved edges to the design to take away from the extremities of how cubic it was. I think this added to the design and would work well in the corner of a room sitting flush with a wall on the flat surface but the curve allowing a slight gap for cables to be hidden for example.
Design themes-automation and machinery. One possible theme my desk could take aesthetic inspiration from machinery and the industrial style. This would include, sharp angles and symmetry/ patterns
The bolts could be transferred directly as a possible leg to a desk. Or the spiralling pattern could be used instead to add detail and aesthetic features.
Here I used line drawings to focus on patters and detail and then alternatively basics and forms of the plants I photographed. I can develop from these shapes and patterns to add features to the desk I am going to make
With inspiration from the gains of a leaf I’ve also look at a possible form and shape of my desk. The geometry in nature could be applied with some altercation to a function desk. The leafs veins are angled so when squared of on the sides your left with a irregular pentagon. When transferring this to a 3D shape I was inspired to have a basic desk form.
Here I’ve look at possible shelving or storage features of my desk. Using the tiling like patter that occurs naturally in the stems of plants such as the one I photographed. The filing is very rounded so I halved them to give a flat surface for storage whilst maintaining the more natural shape. Alternatively I also sharpened one entirely giving hexagonal and octagonal holes which are slightly less organic in style.
This tire print inspired design takes a more mechanical aesthetic with metal legs and sharp angles. The legs could possible be coiled or twisted with pattern depicting bolts and screw threads. The pattern on the tire itself is two parallelograms joined at a point for a surface that mimics an “arrowhead”. The plane would allow for a range of movement when using as it partly surrounds the body when seated meaning it’s great for drawing or use of a computer mouse which requires large scale arm movements.
Design two
Model making designs- using the tire print and screw thread design I will make models in both creative and more direct styles. For example taking the pattern and scoring for abstract structures formed into a desk or scoring and repeating for patterns or more traditional models. For the spiralling patter thin steel wire could be twisted for a similar effect on a smaller model making scale.
Model making from primary research Here I integrated multiple features from both nature and mechanical research.
Design three • Design inspiration – designer study (Adam Levete) The drift bench produced originally in 2006 by Adam Levete is a extremely organic and flowing design. I find it to be modern and sleek without the typical sharp or cubic nature of a lot of designs produced today. I thought I could possibly integrate this style into a desk allowing it to be aesthetically pleasing and adding to a bedroom environment.
Design refining
As I’m refining I’m looking for possible shapes and features that can add to a typical desk. For examples the “swoop” of the desk on the right is sleek yet adds another dimension to an otherwise squared design.
Here I have produced 3D images on sketch up to see both materials in use and the shapes and how they work in 3 dimensions . The top design looks suspended and possibly not stable however with the model I added to the back so it looked more “balanced” and stable.
Final design
This is the basis of my final design. It will likely change dramatically as I develop but the form of the desk top in a arrowhead arrangement is likely to remain . Of course storage and legs will change but the shape itself will remain even if the angle changes.
I have decided to settle On a design around the arrowhead derived from both the tire print and the leaf veins. I thinks the shape is practical and it can be manipulated to make a interesting aesthetically pleasing form for a work space or bedroom.
The arrow head nature of this design is difficult to represent in 2d as the lines are not parallel so I produced a 3D cad design to help imagine it as a more physical form.
Here I have produce a variety of models with a variety of materials exploring scale, storage, and design changes such as angle of the desk or the legs. I like multiple variations and still have to explore the Avenue of interchangeable parts as a additional practical feature. I will use these designs as inspiration whilst developing further.
Design manipulation Here I am tweaking the design or stripping it back to a basic shape and form such as the wireframe model. This allows me to reevaluate the shape and introduce curves for a flowing design such as the drift bench. I also look at maximising storage such as here using the wasted space as shelving also making it flush with a wall.
Here I have produced a solid works design looking at the form I have been using in 3 dimensions. I added some small features such as a shelf and drawer unit to understand how the space can be utilised. I would like to continue with this shape but also look at components that can be moved by doing multiple parts of a design.
With the alternate design I increased the angle of the “arrowhead” shape to 90°. It allows for the design to fit in to the corner of the room. I also experimented with material using wood textures for contrast in the shelves and the main body. Although I like this design it does look large in size and heavy maybe more suited to an study room rather than a smaller bedroom. To alter this I could completely hollow the underneath allowing for both more storage space and using less material also. To further improve I could apply cutouts giving the design a pattern making it more aesthetically pleasing in a bedroom environment. Once again I will look at components having an attachable drawer set for example to increase the size and top surface of the desk.
Design improvements Reflecting on the previous slide I slimmed down the desk design loosing material. This makes it easy to produce, increases suitably for a bedroom, and the space is now free for storage under or in the desk. It also maintains the same amount of surface on the top so it doesn’t hinder the ergonomics giving the user a full range of motion at 270°.
These designs are once again more basic forms I’m using to look at how it could be modular I am looking at the cubic shapes and how they join at right angles. For many areas a right angle would be intrusive using up free space. I could allow these to be interchangeable with the side instead so they produce a longer desk in a strip running down a wall for example. I will continue to expand on my final design adding these characteristics to a more flowing design such as the rounded elements in the previous slide.
Here I decided to look at rotational or modular components I could add to my desk. This design is of course not the desk itself but is being used to show how I could construct and put together a desk that has changeable positions. The isometrics would be more suited to an actual design where the profiles are slimmer and drawers and shelves are also in place to add to the functionality.
Here is the basic form I’m planning on creating in terms of desk surface shape and the size of the product. I will continue to experiment with how modular it is also exploring different features e.g built in lighting, drawers, shelving and desk organisers.
Here I’ve produced a more refined modular design. I’ve made it optional to have the desk in any orientation required so it may fit into the corner of any room or along the wall. I’ve also started to add details for possible storage such as the middle shelving component and smallest accessory drawers on the desk legs to maximise space. Alternatively I could make this with a slimmer profile and more standard wooden or metal legs increasing space under the desk where PCS can be placed for example.
Here I’ve creative a guide on the pieces required for a basic model exploring the scale and different profiles the legs could have. I would like to split up the top making it modular experimenting with more shapes duplicating it possible or making a T shape using one side for storage and one for work.
Here is the basic design mapped out in solid works this should be how the final form fits together as a model weather it has curved edges or different storage arrangements etc. I will also look at joinery and how the desks will come together and weather I will have the desks locked into place by clasps or magnets etc and how this is achievable.
Design manipulation- too improve the aesthetics of my design I’m looking at adding a curved edge to the desk for a sleeker design. It looses some useable surface area but the effect is negligible due to the the fact there’s multiple desktops to use. I’ve also looked at adding a leg for stability as a stand alone price making this a range that can be extended or used in a bedroom by itself moulding it to specific rooms in the house based on space available.
As I begin to look at modelling this desk I need to focus on the modules. Here I am exploring the variety of side pieces looking at shape and form mainly. I have to keep in mind production for example the rounded design may be difficult to produce full size but rapid prototyping will be achievable. I can replicate this and explore it as a 3D form.
Here is the first design I wish to prototype I have produced a simple cut list for the side module. Here I have looked at pieces but not the joinery as they will be made with card and glue. I will still explore the bending of card such as slitting the card to product a smoother curve instead of a squared of sharp model. This will Hopefully increase the realism and quality of the model as it hides rough faces. Of course I will experiment producing a variety of these pieces matching them to one another finding the best features for the final design.