SCP Live Project - Research Report

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SCP BOXED COLLECTION 2018 Wiktoria Kijowska

SCP BOXED COLLECTION SCP launched their Boxed Collection in 2009 with the simple aim of creating a range of smaller products that customers could buy in store and leave with a box ‘under their arm’. They have invited designers to create new designs that are affordable (introducing the idea of an impulse buy) and more accessible to their customers. This fulfils the customer’s desire to buy into a respected and quality design brand, by purchasing a single small piece of furniture, without the need to invest in an entire range.

B R I E F

To design a product that will fit well within the SCP Boxed Collection. It should have value built in through the materials, method of manufacture or through the design itself.

The price range for this product is hard to define, but the right price is a combination of the actual cost and the perceived value by the customer.

Bold experimental designs are welcome as well as more utilitarian objects. Traditional materials are something that SCP tend to work with but are open to new materials if methods of manufacture are possible.

Current changes in lifestyle and emerging trends should be investigated to inform the design.

SCP’S STORY SCP was founded in 1985 by Sheridan Coakley as a manufacturer and retailer of modern furniture. The 1986 Salone Del Mobile in Milan during which they have exhibited their work has established SCP as a pioneering force in the UK and international furniture industry.

P R O C E S S

In the mid 1980s they have worked with specialist craftspeople to make pieces in small batches, which already ensures that their products are of higher quality than of those that would be mass produced, e.g.

IKEA. SCP has their own upholstery company in Norfolk. Advanced wood making takes place in Slovenia, hand-glazing in Stoke-On-Trent, traditional weaving in Wales and rug making on looms in India. This shows just how open they are to work with new specialists from around the world to support local communities.

R E S E A R C H

SCP BOXED COLLECTION

CALVO SIDE TABLE LEE KIRKBRIDE £290

Dimensions: H 58 Dia 42 cm Materials: oak or walnut with a matt lacquered finish What’s special about it?

It can be used in a variety of settings and a number of uses. It’s tilted stem and 3 point base allow it to sit closer and more comfortably next to an armchair, sofa or bed.

JOSIAH PENDANT LIGHT LARGE - £170

Dimensions: H 24 Dia 14 cm Cable length 180 cm Materials: fine bone china What’s special about it?

These lamps can be fitted with the latest innovative light sources, making them suitable for both commercial and residential environments. The light is available in small, medium and large.

CROSSCUT COAT HOOKS-WHITE FAUDET-HARRISON £62

Dimensions: 3 hook - W 36 D 9 H 9 cm 5 hook - W 60 D 9 H 9 cm 7 hook - W 84 D 9 H 9 cm Materials: steel and oak What’s special about it?

It is an unobtrusive piece for domestic and commercial settings. It comes in varied sizes allowing the user to suit it to their needs and the needs of their home.

AGNES SIDE TABLE - KAY+STEMMER £325

Dimensions: W 43 D 33 H 50 cm Materials: solid oak or walnut What’s special about it?

It comes out of the box already made without the need of assembly The design has the hallmarks of classical furniture-making training; details include radius edges, a gentle upwards taper and perfect proportion.

COMPETITOR analysis 1. HEAL’S

OFFCUT STOOL WOOD, TOM DIXON £150

- simple design - made out of wood - small size so fits in with the Boxed Collection - designed by a well known designer

- compact - side table which is popular among the Boxed Collection - made out of quality materials HEXED- COPPER,MARBLE -DIESEL (MOROSO) £564

- neutral colours - basic shape - affordable - fits in with SCP aesthetics

- functional - high quality finish and materials - famous designer

HANG IT ALL - WALNUT, CHARLES AND RAY EAMES £225

OLSONHEAL’S £99

2. HABITAT - mixture of materials - geometric shape

CORALIE - WALNUT VENEER & METAL £150

- could be too heavy for the Boxed Collection - simple shape - neutral - quality materials TERRAZZO CONCRETE £120

- affordable - functional - made out of wood natural materials - too big for SCP’s Boxed Collection

- neutral colours - fits into most environments - functional EVAN METAL&WOOD £12

SCOUT - OAK £250

3. IKEA - affordable - similar to one of SCP’s stools (Ulrik) - poor quality compared to SCP - affordable YPPERLIG BEECH £20

- affordable - very similar to SCP’s Boxed Collection - very cheap

ODDVALD - WOOD £10

- price similar to that of SCP - organic shape - neutral colours

- is painted in block colour which does not fit in with the Boxed Collection - correct size for the SCP’s Boxed Collection GALDOM - METAL £15

EVEDAL - GLASS £110

4. JOHN LEWIS - good price point for an SCP consumer - the colours could not match with the rest of the SCP collection MELENA ENAMEL,IRON £119

- quality materials - neutral - fits in with SCP - affordable price for an SCP consumer BTC HECTOR CERAMIC £149

- multi functional - good mix of colours - natural - simple look that SCP have

HOUSE BY JL WOOD £60

- affordable - functional - made out of wood natural materials - possibly too big for SCP Boxed Collection ANTON - BENTWOOD, MDF £329

5. MADE.COM - interesting shape - good mix of materials - affordable price

TINA - RUBBERWOOD, METAL, £79

- too big for the SCP’s Box Collection - good amount of storage - good price DARCEY - WOOD £299

- the use of materials could potentially not fit in with SCP’s Box Collection - good shape and size

AULA - METAL, GLASS £169

- affordable - functional - made out of wood natural materials - good size for the SCP’s Box Collection REID - WOOD £25

6. THE CONRAN SHOP - affordable - functional - made out of wood natural materials - too big for SCP’s Boxed Collection A440 - AINO&ALVAR AALTO, HAND BLOWN GLASS £498

LANGLEY - DAVID CHIPPERFIELD, OAK £672

- geometric shape - ergonomic design - natural - good quality materials

TABOURET MÉRIBEL - CHARLOTTE PERRIAND,OAK £612

- very similar to one of the pieces from SCP’s collection - designed by a famous designer - very expensive however affordable for SCP’s target consumer

-

109C - ALVAR AALTO, BIRCH&STEEL £414

very famous designer multi functional iconic design neutral colours

PERCEIVED VALUE At first, the prices of the products from SCP Boxed Collection might not seem very affordable; for example, the original price for a simple step stool is £200. Personally, I would think twice about buying this product and therefore the whole idea of an impulse buy would be lost. However, the company wants the consumer to also think about the added perceived value of the product.

A simple definition of perceived value is:

The value of a product based on how much customers want or need it, rather than on its real price.

When deciding to make a purchase, a customer will value a product’s benefit higher than its function. This is because the benefit that they will get out of the product is their main concern and they will buy the product for their perceived benefit that they will gain out of it. The customer perceived value is made up from the perceived benefit as well as the customer’s opinion of the product. They will also take other aspects into consideration.

ASPECTS THAT MAKE UP THE PERCEIVED VALUE:

EMOTIONAL CONNECTIVITY LOCALITY PERCEIVED CREDIBILITY VALUE OF TIME

PRODUCT SEMANTICS An object’s form says three things:

1. Something about the object itself 2. Something about the larger context of its use 3. Something about the user who interacts with it and develops a conceptual connection.

Product semantics was defined by Klaus Krippendorff and Reinhart Butter as

“The study of the symbolic qualities of man-made forms in the context of their use and the application of this knowledge to industrial design.”

By symbolic qualities, they are referring to the psychological, social and cultural context of a product, as opposed to only considering a product’s physical and physiological functions.

https://www.choidesign.com/blog/2017/6/2/design-semantics

DESIGN TRENDS 2019 -maturity and bravery in terms of materials

- ocean inspired – sustainability eco friendly

- terrazzo and concrete and terracotta

- minimal lifestyles - to create balance in a world that is so dynamic and fast paced - a careful selection of pieces for each space

- bringing the outdoors indoors - fringing - scallops and scales - bar console has seen a rise over the past six months, continuing the trend of seeing the home as a social space.- according to EPORTA

- “slow life� - means living more consciously, saving space, and giving priority to timeless, sustainable materials.

- micro living and customization - design with meaning

- geometric And tribal patterns - compact and multifunctional - geometric forms - curved furnishings - 60s - velvet

ART DEco trend Art Deco is coming back and is said to be the new mid-century modern; here to stay for a few years. The new Art Deco style is glam and playful but with a bit of a minimalist touch. It is more streamlined and filtered through with a modern sensibility.

SUNBURST

GEOMETRIC PATTERNS

symmetry

CLEAN lines

CURVES MIRRORS

COLOUR TRENDS 2019 DULUX In Dulux’s Colour Forecast 2019, one of the sections is dedicated to IDENTITY. It’s important to persuade people to break out of the mould and let their creativity rule. A mix of cultural influences with modern pieces can create a unique look. Rules no longer apply and it is encouraged to go wild and create a bold and individualistic vision to show your true colours.

‘Unusual colour combinations fill your space with spontaneous energy’

PANTONE “Spring/Summer 2019 reflects our desire to embolden ourselves as we face the future; turning to colours and colour stories that provide confidence and lift our spirits; embracing a colour and design direction filled with creative and unexpected combinations.�

SMALL SPACE LIVING 19M2 FLAT IN LONDON It had been created by U+I architects Ab Rogers.

“It is time to re-think and invent a new way for people to live in the best parts of the city,” said the studio.

The campaign led by U+I is ongoing, and will continue to challenge the perception that small is less.”

TINY HOME BED This multifunctional bed is designed for students and young people in shared accommodation and compact living conditions.

Yesul Jang research revealed that the percentage of single person households doubled between 2006 and 2016 in her native Seoul.

“By combining two furniture items – a bed and storage – which take up the biggest amount of the space in the living environment, people benefit from more space that they can utilise for other purposes.”

CORRIDOR SOCIETY Seray Ozdemir’s research revealed that approximately half of shared flats in London do not have living rooms, as these spaces are usually rented out as extra bedrooms.

She has created a collection of furniture for corridors, aimed at millenials who live in homes without communal living rooms.

“The shared flat becomes a micro-neighbourhood. If corridors are what connect these room-houses, then they are more like streets than corridors.”

KASCHKASCH COLOGNE FOR MENU German design duo Kaschkasch Cologne created a mirror. The triangular section of the frame allows it to rest neatly in the corner of a room.

When balanced against a flat surface, the top of the frame can be used as a rail for hanging clothes.

“We want each design to offer something extra, discovered by the user little by little.”

MIND MAP

POTENTIAL CONSUMERs materials AGE: late 20s to mid 60s GENDER: male and female INCOME: middle - high

COLOURS

ENVIRONMENT

fabrics When designing my product I aim to add colour to parts of it. I don’t want the colour to be overwhelming and take the attention away from the form and function but I do want it to stand out. A good way to do that would be through the use of fabric in things such as cushions.

SCP has previously worked with Donna Wilson who has created a range of patterned and colourful textiles. The fabrics often have a geometric pattern which links to the recent trends, in particular the Art Deco trend. Below I have picked out some that I could possibly incorporate into my design.

Research overview The main things that I have found out about in my research and plan on using within my designs are:

1. Art Deco trend 2. Small space living 3. Minimal lifestyles 4. Compact and multifunctional 5. “Slow life� - means living more consciously, saving space, and giving priority to timeless, sustainable materials.

6. Curved furnishing 7. Geometric shapes 8. Design with meaning

Common comrades- mooi New antiques- marcel wanders Illo - miniforms pezzo mastea

Crystal Tray - Reflections Copenhagen Dallas

Lollipop - Lasvit

Wedgewood bowl on red sphere - Lee Broom

Eddy lamp- Simon Legald

Urushi boxes - Lara Bohnic

CHRISTOPHE DE LA FONTAINE FOR DANTE Konstantin Grcic - GOODS & BADS Brut sofa bavaresk table Nuki

I N I T I A L I D E A S D E V E L O P M E N T

A N D M O D E L S

SIDE TABLE idea

POSITIVE

NEGATIVE

- Interestng shapes

- Too complicated to manufacture

- The circles look like wheels - possible extra function

- Stay away from plastic - it is going to be a batch production not mass - What is its purpose - Make sure it fits in with the range - Too colourful - Possibly stay away from sharp overall lines / include curved lines more feminine and link in with the Art Deco trend - Too many colours; make sure it fits in with the brand image - designing for a client not for yourself

This idea did not have much purpose and meaning to it. Without these things it would have been difficult to make it desirable for the user. In addition it did not fully fit with the SCP range.

READING SPACE/HALLWAY PIECE

FEEDBACK REVIEW FEEDBACK RECEIVED: - Research into Art Deco and why it is a trend for 2019 - Stick to one scenario - reading or hallway piece - Add a meaning to the piece and make sure everything has a purpose - Create full size models to get a better understanding about sizes and proportion - Consider materials that it would be made out of and the construction methods make sure it is stable and strong - Look at positioning of dowel bars - can you make it more personal to the person sitting on it

FUTURE ACTIONS: - Experiment with full scale models and the way in which the dowels are positioned - Decide on the final shape of the base and the shelf - make it a more geometric shape (less oval)

MAIN SCENARIO: reading space The user will be able to have their own space in which they can relax and get away from the craziness of the world. They will be able to sit and read with the poles acting as protection of their goods (books. The cushion will act as added comfort and would encourage them to use the product.

POSITIVE - Good basic idea - Stable way of attaching the dowels to the top - Varied heights add extra interest and space

NEGATIVE - Legs are too short as the user wouldn’t be comfortable sitting at that height - Not enough sitting space The storage is taking up the majority of the space and therefore not encouraging the user to sit - Not all of the attachment methods are stable

POSITIVE

NEGATIVE

- A cushion would encourage the user to sit down and relax

- The dowels going all the way through both of the parts would not work as it makes the structure unstable. Each of the legs would bend in a different direction, possibly creating a safety hazard

- The attachment method of the cushion would allow the user to easily replace it, wash it or take it off if not needed - More space has been dedicated for the seating area

- There are too many legs which are not needed - The cushion is not big enough; its aesthetics should encourage the user to sit and relax for an extended period of time - The legs are in a straight down position, but putting them in at an angle would strengthen the structure as well as improve its aesthetics - The shape of the smaller shelf could be changed to match the shape of the base

1:5 model

POSITIVE - The number of legs has been reduced - the long straws enabled me to experiment with the heights - The size of the cushion increased, which also decreased the storage space

NEGATIVE - The dowels that are holding up the shelf still look cluttered and not organised - The pillow looks too big and not proportional with the rest of the product - The shape of the shelf should be changed so that it matches the shape of the base - Some of the sides of the pillow as well as the small shelf look too harsh in comparison to the rest of the product

1:5 model

POSITIVE - Legs positioned at a angle - Less legs meaning the structure is more stable - Less of the dowels lifting up the shelf improve the overall aesthetic as well as get rid of unnecessary parts

NEGATIVE - The seating space increased but it is still not big enough to be welcoming for the user - Some of the measurements are not correct - The pillow has not been changed

1:1 modelS - Dowels

POSITIVE

POSITIVE

- Number of dowels reduced; doesn’t look cluttered

- The dowels are more evenly spaced out

- Enough space for an A4 magazine

- Number of dowels have been reduced looking more organised and thought out

NEGATIVE

NEGATIVE

- Takes up most of the 700mm board; not enough space for seating

- The dowels come around near where the user would be sitting blocking the way of getting to the books

- The distance between the dowels isn’t the same -

- Make it more personal to the user

POSITIVE

POSITIVE

- The position of the dowels has been moved so that the bottom compartment is more open to the user showing that the things in there are more personal to them

- More space for the seating

NEGATIVE

NEGATIVE

- Possibly they cover too much at the front; the users will not be able to easily access the inside from the front?

- The reduced number of dowels make this space look empty - The gaps in between are too big

1:1 modelS-TOP SHELF

POSITIVE

POSITIVE

- Rounded edges all the way around linking back to the shape of the base

- Covers the whole of the A4 magazine - Its shape is more organic and flows nicer with the rest of the product

NEGATIVE

NEGATIVE

- The straight line doesn’t link in with the other shapes of the product

- It is too big as it is coming out of the frame of the base; this could become an inconvenience

- It does not cover the whole magazine

POSITIVE - The rounded part above the pillow could act as an arm rest

POSITIVE - Big surface area for the user to place their belonging (books) on

- The shape is more similar to the shape of the base

NEGATIVE - It is still too big - Making all the sides the same could possibly improve the overall aesthetics

NEGATIVE - There is no real geometric shape to it therefore it does not flow with the rest of the product

1:1 modelS

POSITIVE - Good geometric shape of the base - The height and length of the product are accurate and appropriate for its function

NEGATIVE - The legs aren’t stable, therefore a more stable and stronger frame is needed - There is no particular function for the dowels coming through the top shelf therefore are they really needed?

BASE + SHELF SHAPES 1.

4.

2.

5.

3.

6.

POSITIVE 1.

- rounded shape links in with the shape of the base - The indentation would allow the user to rest their arm more comfortably 2.

-rounded edges 3.

- more organic shape and making the most out of the shape (increasing the amount of space the user has)

NEGATIVE 1.

- there isn’t a consistent shape going all around 2.

- too square overall 3.

- possibly not long enough

4.

- good variety of shapes

4.

- most of them aren’t using all the space available 5.

- ensure all the edges are the same/ similar

5.

- shape fits in with the shape of the base

6.

- doesn’t flow with the rest of the product

6.

- interesting shape

Height RESEARCH AND development

Depth 29cm Height 45cm Length 103cm

Depth 38cm Height 43cm Length 130cm

Height 38cm Depth 35cm Length 109cm

Height 45cm Depth 30cm Length 120cm

1:1 MODEL

1:5 MODELS

POSITIVE -Height ranging between 380mm - 420mm is the most appropriate for a hallway piece - 380mm looks the most proportional to the rest of the product

NEGATIVE - Heights such as 430mm and 440mm are too high and would make the product uncomfortable and look not proportional

MATERIALS+JOINING TECHNIQUES ASH:

FEEDBACK REVIEW FEEDBACK RECEIVED: - Create an under-frame to make it strong and stable -it could double up as extra storage - The shape suggests that the user should straddle it and use the shelf as a working space- but that is not the intended aim - Therefore to indicate the use, a back could be added - The detachable cushion is a positive aspect of this design as it can be rotate to alternate the side that the shelf is placed on - However, not everyone will want the cushion so what would happen with the holes in the base then?

NEW SCENARIO: hallway piece As a user you would not sit on this type of product for longer than 5 minutes so instead of it being a reading space make it a hallway piece

BASE + Shelf sizes EXPERIMENTATION 700X350

200/250mm

700X320

700X300

FRAME/(ADDED STORAGE

1:5 MODELs

38mm

70mm

38mm

POSITIVE - The frame doubles up as extra storage e.g. shoes - Strengthens the product

46mm 70mm

- Second model shows the correct hight that is easy to access (image 3)

NEGATIVE 23mm

- The shelf/ structure is too high as the user should be able to easily access it when taking their shoes off (image 1&2)

F I N A L D E S I G N

200

40

580

700

200

380

320

200

250

420

all measurements in mm

materials

JOINTS

ash

wool

Donna Wilson for SCP

SMALL SPACE LIVING

ART DECO INSPIRED

easy curved edges attachment

compact

MULTIFUNCTIONAL

QUALITY MATERIALS

geometric PATTERN

L

PACKAGING + PRICING Price

of:

ash planks £27.15 dowels £19.26 total The delicate edges could be protected with styrofoam parts and the cushion could be protected by a plastic bag.

£46.41 X2.5 £116 X2.5 £290

580

710 all measurements in mm

380

Total: £290 one-off

E V A L U A T I O N

WHAT WENT WELL AND WHAT DID I LEARN? - This live project enabled me to learn more about the industry and what it looks like to work with a client. The continuous feedback received helped me to change and adjust my design so that it suits the needs of the client rather than my own. Recent trends as well as needs were a big part of this project as they are a part of what sells the product. Furthering my knowledge about the customer’s perceived value helped me to look at my product not only in terms of its aesthetics but also in terms of the function and the benefit that it will bring the consumer.

- Through completing multiple 1:5 as well as 1:1 scale models I was able to develop my modelling skills as well as practice working with scale. The accurate scale models enabled me to figure out important detailing of the product such as joints and sizes.

WHAT WERE THE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED AND THE SOLUTIONS TO THEM? - The models that I have created at the beginning of the project were not made to scale, therefore did not give an accurate representation of what I wanted to achieve.

- My first initial idea was created to suit my needs and included the things I like, which soon made me realise that I am not designing for myself and need to take into consideration the needs and desires of the consumer.

- Many of my 1:1 models were not stable which meant that the overall structure of the product would fail and not support the user. I needed to ensure that a suitable support system is created.

FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS - To further improve my product I would experiment more with the overall sizing of it. I would try to make it a bit more compact so that it would fully fit in with the idea of small space living and people not having massive amounts of space in their hallways for an additional piece of furniture.

- I could also look at different ways in which the frame of the product would be created to ensure maximum amount of support for the user.

- Experimenting with different wood types would enable be to see what the product would look like in different colours. The bigger choice of materials could possibly increase the number of consumers wanting the product.

2018