KIERAN MEEHAN
Furniture and Product Design Portfolio
Profile
I am a creative individual with a passion for design, I love finding unique solutions for people’s problems through innovative design. I specialise in furniture and product design, and I am keen to learn new skills and techniques to better improve skill-set.
Through my previous industry experience, I possess the skills and know-how to confidently communicate and execute my ideas.
My hands-on experience has allowed me to think outside of the box to create one of a kind products to stand out on the market.
Stack and Sits
Brief
The aim was to create a product that allows teachers to store resources easily, whilst also creating something that can benefit the children with their learning and provide them with a space to sit and play. The brief was to create an ecosystem of products for the classroom; from here the rest of the range emerged.
Features
Versatile, small world game tops have been etched into the wood allowing for an additional fun element to a practical product.
Vinyl wrapped cushions have been selected to ensure the longevity of the product as mucky prints can be easily wiped away!
Each stool can be stacked on top of one another which allows for easy storage and maximum floorspace. When they are required, then can be easily laid out to the desired configuration.
The Stack and Sits are a unique product unlike anything else on the market. Their versatility and adaptable nature makes the product stand out amongst the competition.
Materials & Details
The Stack and Sit range is made using 12mm Opal White plywood. This phenolic filmed plywood is both hard wearing and durable making it ideal for the school setting.
The removable cushions are made of a durable, wipe clean vinyl. This was designed with the intention of being hard-wearing within the Early Years setting.
A strong, but safe alternative to glass was essential for this product. PETG allows for visibility into the boxes, easy cleaning and longevity.
Indoor Art Easel
Brief
This product was designed in tandem with the Stack and Sits allowing us to create an ecosystem of products that work seamlessly together making it easy to integrate into the classroom. This product aims to be used by teachers and children alike and to have veraslitity within the setting.
Features
The unique ‘jigsaw joints’ allow for easy stacking into other products (such as the Stack and Sits). This not only allows for adjustable heights but also for easy tidy ups.
The removable mark-making boards can be used as a tabletop alongside the Stack and Sits products of the same range.
Sitting the product on castors allows for easy mobility of the product. This dolly can be removed and stored with ease.
This product went through rigorous product testing in multiple schools. Doing this allowed direct feedback from the customers and was a key part of the product development.
Materials & Details
18 mm Opal White plywood was selected for this product as it easy to machine on a flat bed CNC for a large market.
Chalkboard and whiteboard was chosen for this product. Both are easy to use as drawing surfaces but will clean well at the end of the day.
Selecting lockable castors ensures for maximum safety in school settings but still allows for easy movement when desired.
Stack and Store
Brief
Stack and Stores came into vision as a universal and adaptable solution to storage problems. Using a similar concept to Lego, they can be stacked together in a variety of different formations to create unique and adaptive layouts.
Features
Creating a focal point through the window created a fun element to the product. The circular shape allows children to imagine that they are on a rocket ship to Mars or exploring the depths of the Pacific Ocean.
The Stack and Store units can be configured in a variety of different ways to make the ideal setting for each customer.
Adding a bench with a vinyl cushion creates a space for children to gather. The bench is at both adult and child height to create a multi-functional purpose.
The Stack and Store range has a wide variety of furniture that can be used as building blocks to create unique configurations to suit specific needs.
Materials & Details
The Stack and Store Range is made using the Lamello Cabineo System. This kind of joinery is great for CNC machining, making it easy to mass produce, as well as creating a sturdy and reliable joint.
This product range has been designed to stack on top of one another as well as being bolted together. All that is required a small allen key to create and change a space.
The coloured panels are constructed from High Pressure Laminate plywood; this was chosen to allow the customer to have a bespoke touch on each design.
Bookcase on Wheels
Brief
The front facing bookcase has been designed to showcase teacher selected books. A eye-catching design was important to achieve this.
Features
This bookcase is front facing to encourage independent choosing of books. The shelves have been positioned at an ergonomic viewing angle, with chalk strips that allow for teachers to label books around themes and topics.
Having the bookcase on wheels allows for spaces and zones to be easily created.
The double sided design allows for additional storage and for children to have more use from both sides of the product.
Designed to be low-level and full accessible to pupils of all ages, this bookcase allows children to self-select reading materials with ease.
Kálamos Sideboard
Brief
This was my major product in my final year of university. For this project I wanted to learn a traditional skill and mix it with some modern elements. For this I chose to learn furniture caning. I wanted to push the boundaries of the material by having the rattan wrap around a curve.
Features
Each panel is handed caned in a traditional a traditional 6-way rattan pattern.
The bow fronted designed mixed with the light ash and simple shapes creates a mixture of traditional and contemporary design.
With the doors wrapping around the sides of the unit it aims to give off the appearance that the rattan is holding up the top of the unit.
Having never caned before, it took many hours to understand the skills and techniques it took to create such an intricate pattern. The 6 way pattern was chosen due to its strength of the design, as well it being a good entry level design to start with.
Materials & Details
The frame in constructed using solid American white ash as well as ash veneered MDF.
The six-way rattan pattern was hand caned using 2.9mm rattan cane, with 3.7mm finishing cane for the edges.
The handles were made with a dark tan leather, folded in a loop and attached to the drawer and door fronts.
Beard Grooming Kit
Brief
The project brief was to create three products using three different processes and three different materials that all share a single narrative. My three products created a beard grooming kit that were based around traditional woodworking tools.
Features
The moustache wax applier is inspired by a roughing gouge handle, with an aluminium collar and handmade lavender moustache wax.
The beard comb is intended to look like a junior hacksaw, and has been ergonomically designed to be held in different ways.
The carrying case is designed after a traditional tool roll with expansion for additional beard accessories.
Doing quick and easy experiments was an important aspect of this project. Getting to learn a variety of processes through continued practice and trialling new techniques was key.
Materials & Details
The handle is made of solid walnut with an aluminium collar, with a mixture of natural beeswax and lavender oil.
The beard comb was made of 6mm mild steel for the handle and 3mm mild steel for the comb’s teeth.
The tool roll is made of an up-cycled piece of waxed canvas that originally came from an old army bag.
Isokon Donkey
Brief
A project to design and manufacture a new version of the iconic donkey with a unique purpose using CNC manufacturing. My version of the donkey has been designed for people who work from home without a permanent workspace.
Features
The built-in, hinging lid acts as a shallow tray to store A3 paper and books.
Each side has been designed to have different sized shelves and cubbies to store both small and large items.
The designated laptop storage on one end of the unit that has been designed to store laptops up to 17 inches.
A lot of development and ideation of how the donkey would function was done with a variety of 1:10 scale models to help understand how items would interact with the donkey. This was extremely helpfully in understanding every detail about the donkey to making it the most functional product it could be.
Materials & Details
18mm birch plywood was used for the panels with exposed end grain to continue the theme of the previous Isokon Donkeys.
A 9mm continuous hinge was used for the lid.
All panels were joined together using both dominoes and butt joints.
Design Bros
Job Description
Full time design intern for Design Bros Ltd.
Design Bros is a contemporary design studio that creates furniture and functional objects for the home and workspaces based in Worcester Park, London. During my time at Design Bros I was involved in both designing and creating bespoke pieces, and catalogue products.
Placement Duration: 10 Months
Aya Desk
Bespoke TV Console
Marumi Bench
Say-Daw Lamp
Kirin Side Table
Enishi Coffee Table
Tsuki Reflector Light
Sen Muku Desk
Ishiki Lounge Chair & Foot Stool
Kyo Dinning Table
Bespoke Dinning Table
Owan Tea Light Holder