Martha Hitchinportfolio
work experience
Heatherwick Studio REHAU SimpleDesignWorksV&ASemourPowellfurniture skils drawing (traditional and digital) Autodesk SketchBook model SolidWorksmaking3D CAD 2019 KeyShot 8 contact email: issu:linkedin:mobile:martha.hitchin@hotmail.com07807914146martha-hitchinmartha.hitchin
about me
Furniture designer with a second class BA (Hons) Furniture & Product design degree from Nottingham Trent University. As a designer coming from a fine art background, I try to think logically while still pushing for more creative designs. I enjoy getting hands-on in the workshop and seeing my ideas being brought to life. My ability to collaborate and support others either on individual projects or in a team helps to further me as a designer.
ARCH WATERCOLOURSIDEBOARDTABLESCOUPLETABLEPENDANTLIGHTCOLLECTORSCABINET
brief
Design and develop a pendant light by challenging the way they are made, used, or function to create a sustainable product that has commercial appeal.
chosen location The Speciality coffee shop Nottingham
Moka Pendant a pendant light designed for the Deadgood brand, specifically to fit the interior of the Speciality Coffee Shop in Nottingham.
rch
During research conducted at the beginning of my second placement project Statement Sideboards, I found myself being drawn to arches in furniture. I then looked at many other uses of arches within architecture and art. Arches in art led to the works of M.C. Escher and the concept of illusions and false depth. I wanted to design a solid and relatively simple structure and use the front panels to create and focus on more of a piece of art.
initial concepts and sketch development
model
Once I had decided on a potential configuration of arches, I recreated it digitally so I could more efficiently experiment with different values of veneers. This digital image could then be printed and used to test drawer and cupboard structure, and be stuck on scale models to get a clearer understanding of the final product. I also projected this digital version onto my full scale model so i could more easily transfer the design.
development
A sideboard influenced by arches and architecture. The illusion of depth created through varying shades of veneer pieces, and with rattan panels allowing a view into the interior.
Arch
WatercolourSustainableOccasional
brief design a set of occasional tables inspired by the principles of a circular economy and made from a maximum of two materials and without mechanical fixings or glue.
Early on in the design process I made the decision that the tables would be made from Jesmonite, so I had to consider how a mould of the design could be made. I knew I wanted to keep the shape relatively simple and then make a feature of colour and pattern. Alongside developing the shape of the table itself, I also played around with watercolour paintings, and how I could transfer these onto my design. I did many digital mockups throughout the design process showing how these could work, before deciding on a simplified gradient pattern. The shape of the design made it easily adaptable into a range of table sizes.
final design range + colour option
colour variations mountain, forest, desert
brief
‘To design a multifunctional side table to display a variety of indoor plants’. influenced by the increase in plant ownership since 2020 and the desire to create a display option that strays from the usual box-like shelves
Based on your research, analysis and understanding of the Joined + Jointed brand, you are asked to propose a new side table for their collection. refamed brief
modelsmatch&mix1:5
I modelled multiple heights of table with different leg frames. I photographed every combination of these to work out which height proportions worked best together, and which cross support would be most practical. The two tables can be used independently or one can sit inside the other. The shorter table is wide enough to display plants and also be used as a regular side table, and both heights are low enough to be used while seated.
modelsscale
workshop process
final mdf models
Couple
A pair of tables, to be used together or independently. For the display of plants.
couple
collector’s cabinet
To design a piece of furniture to store and display collections of small to medium objects (such as fossils)tobe used in a domestic setting inspired by history and evolution of status
brief
initial concepts
sketch and model development
final concept development
model development and complete sketch model
A
Colectors Cabinet freestanding cabinet accessed from multiple angles, designed to host a collection of the user's choice.
