Thomas von Kurthausen Industrial Designer Portfolio of Work
Concept Sketches for IHA Housewares Competition
furniture: ready to assemble
The Congrego furniture set is an exchangeable as well as moveable, Ready-To-Assemble option to traditional workspace products. With the ability to be transformed into three different configurations, the Congrego is able to meet the needs of a wide range of consumers. From a coffee and end table set to a TV solution and finally a desk with ample storage, the Congrego can do it all.
Packaging Configuration
Congrego
Concept Sketches and Scale Models
Ideation Rendering
collaboration: study abroad
Temple Chimes was a cooperative effort between two different schools, Shu-Te University of Kaoshiung, Taiwan, PRC and our school, Auburn University. We worked together as students developing our ideas into a harmonious blend of two different approaches. The function of the Temple Chimes is to make music by way of hitting or smacking the round paddles which in turn moves a hammer to hit a chime. This way you can create your own melodies.
Paddle and Hammer Detail
Working on Assembly
Temple Chimes
In our metal craft class we were taught how to use basic tools in order to produce metal pieces of jewelry. Along with the tools we were taught how to use fire to soften and join pieces of metal.
A small dual metal pendant necklace.
immersion: taiwanese culture
Throughout our time in Taiwan we participated with the assistance of our Taiwanese collegues in craft classes. The purpose of these classes was to have a better and deeper meaning of the Taiwanese culutre. These ‘immersion’ classes helped us understand the history behind basic Taiwanese design and where they draw their inspiration from.
My Mandarin Chinese name. It is pronounced Tho-Ma-Su.
metal work and painting
Our Chinese painting class involved us in the art and styling of traditional calligraphy and painting styles that were used in China and Taiwan in earlier times. We learned how to write our names in Mandarin and then we progressed to harder skillsets such as painting and stroke type.
In our glass craft class we learned multiple ways to go about producing different styles of glass work. From fusing pieces to making molds to melt glass in; we learned a broad range of skills that were traditionally used to produce pieces of art. A tear drop shaped glass ornament.
immersion: taiwanese culture
Throughout our time in Taiwan we participated with the assistance of our Taiwanese collegues in craft classes. The purpose of these classes was to have a better and deeper meaning of the Taiwanese culutre. These ‘immersion’ classes helped us understand the history behind basic Taiwanese design and where they draw their inspiration from.
A small cermaic bowl made on a pottery wheel.
glass and ceramics craft
Our ceramics class was one of the first opportunities that I have had to shape clay in many different ways. We were shown how to mold clay using existing molds, using a pottery wheel, and shaping a lump of clay with your hands.We also used the kiln to fire our pieces and spray on glaze to give our finished products some colour and individuality.
Exterior banners promoting the museum. New logo for the museum. The three figures represent the rolling hills of East Alabama. The shapes also are meant to be rooted in the history of the area whilst still moving forward as the years go by.
revitalisation: graphical
Awning outside the musuem. The bottom image is the existing awning and the top image is a rendering of a new cover with the new logo and colours.
The Museum of East Alabama was an existing museum in a near-by town that was in drastic need or a redesign. As a class we were tasked to completely rehash the image and perceived quality of the museum, inside and out. We first tackled the overall ‘curb appeal’ of the museum buy revitalising their logo and to add more ‘pop’ to the exterior. After the outside we focused on producing a clear and concise graphical hierarchy within the museum.
Current exhibits and displays
To help with way finding we developed area banners that allowed you to see what was in a particular section before reaching that area.
Musical Instruments
museum of east alabama
Kitchen Appliances
45’
Final museum model encompassing all areas.
Ex
Close-up of displays and glamour signage.
revitalisation: exhibits
After we worked on the exterior and way finding for the museum we turned our attention to the exhibit aspect of the space. The existing museum didn’t have much in the way of set exhibits, outside of a few era recreations. We wanted to make the spaces easy to navigate and accessible to everyone. To achieve this we set clear pathways that meanered throughout the museum as well as a suggested route that the visiting patrons should take.
Existing kitchen appliance display.
Pionner Kitchen
museum of east alabama
Two examples of exhibit display and orientation. Neither was picked but both helped us develop more of an order to the space.
Orange detailing adds for increased intuitive use.
redesign: ergonomics
Ideation
Exploded View
Internal Mockup
Wooden Molds
With simple flowing curves and an intuitive set-up the redesign of the Stanley Stud Sensor gets rid of the guess work involved with finding a stud to hang objects on. Large finger holes make grip easy for all and also help with wrist strength. A visible power button and marking notch also allow for an ease of use that will make your next frame hanging experience a breeze.
Rendering of stud sensor on a worksurface.
Step by Step: Left to Right Step 1: Turn power button on, indicated by red power button. Step 2. Insert fingers into finger holes. Step 3. Move horizontally across wall until stud (2 by 4) is located
stanley stud sensor
Ideation sketches made through a 7/2 system where seven sketches were drawn and then two models were built to scale of two of the drawings.
furniture: scandinavia
This furniture project was for our Fall Semester Studio. We were required to design a piece of innovative furniture that would appeall to a market. We had the option of creating a one off piece or we could pick a particular style or era to design from. My piece was designed to be a piece of modern Scandinavian furniture.
Scale models of the furniture sketches. Each model was made out of basswood, balsa, and model copper sheet and tubing.
sammen
Treated lumber for table surface
Biscuit Joints - Used on Table Surface
Copper piping used for supoort.
Miter Joint - Used on Table Frame
Pine used for framing and structual elements
Mortise and Tenon Joint Used on Leg Support
furniture: scandinavia
After we completed our sketching and scale modeling phase we moved on to build a pre-prototype model. The purpose of building this model was to allow us to understand the true proportions and scale of what would eventually be our final model. It also helped us locate some issues that were existing in our designs or construction.
This model was lacking the shelf on the underside of the table.
sammen
Along with ample room for users, Sammen offers a small suprise in the form of a shelf underneath the main table surface. Whether you are storing books, laptops, bills, or anything you please; you can be certain that it is within arms reach, ready to be used whenver needed.
furniture: scandinavia
The Scandinavina inspired ‘Sammen’ dinette table is an ideal choice for bringing the family back to the kitchen table. Sammen, which means ‘together’ in Danish is designed to add a modern flair to your kitchen as well as making eating with your loved ones a more pleasureable experience.
With seating for up to four people, Sammen is an excellent choice for the modern family. Constructed from European Beech, reinforced with copper rods for stability, and accented with tempered glass; you can be sure that your table will stand the test of time and daily wear/tear.
sammen
Thank You!