Course Details

1. Define and recognize the concepts, functions, techniques and materials of Furniture and Product Design.
2. Explore the design philosophy, construction methods, use of materials, innovation of well known Furniture and Design Companies.
3. Employ new forms and materials in furniture or product design elements combining practical use with a fascinating and seductive appearance suitable for production by the chosen companies/clients
4. Distinguish the production, materials and target difference between various Furniture and Design Companies through visual examination.
5. Investigate products and promotional campaigns of various Furniture and Design Companies.
6. Support their specific concepts, process of design and design quality through their market /company research, their promotional ideas and their visual presentation.
7. Show and develop a critical and professional understanding for the function and structure of contemporary Furniture and Design Companies, the market needs or trends and the importance of promoting their own Designs.

Continuation of the course Furniture Design 1: Students work on a particular project based on the exploration of the design philosophy, construction methods, use of materials and innovations of well known furniture design companies

Research Methodology / Studio Work: Students study and investigate the theme but also concentrating on the background history of furniture design, the development of the detail as well as the visual drawings. Importance will be placed on student’s work deriving from specific concepts and understanding the process of designing and design quality. Furthermore, focused attention will be emphasized on the construction materials, the final production and promotion of the furniture or product.

Presentation Skills: Development of presentation skills in order to orally communicate ideas and research findings. Participation in group discussions and debates surrounding given theme of the project.

Translating 2D ideas into 3D objects / furniture through model making exercises: Giving great attention to model making techniques and great attention to photographic techniques when introduced to concept, scale and manipulation through model photography. Additionally students experiment with new materials focusing on properties, innovations and applications and they investigate them focusing on production and possible uses.

Final Presentation: Students participate in final presentations where ideas are discussed from the initial research stage, through to concepts and final design outcomes.

No specific textbook required

• Visual contemporary references in the form of online magazines www.dezeen.com, www.designboom.com, www.yatzer.com, www.dexigner.com, www.mocoloco.com
• Visual contemporary references on magazines like: Domus, Ottagono, Abitare, Wallpaper, Creative Review and Design and Furniture Companies Catalogues
• INDUSTRIAL DESIGN, J. HESKETT, THAMES&HUDSON.
• DESIGN OF THE XX CENTURY, CH. & P. FIELL, TASCHEN.
• 1000 CHAIRS, CH. & P. FIELL, TASCHEN.
• House of (Design Academy Eindhoven) Concepts, Louise Schouwenberg & Gert Staal, Frame Publishers 2008. (Not in Library).
• Hella Jongerius, Phaidon
• What is Product Design, by Laura Slack, Rotovision
• Simply Droog by Renny Ramakers and Anneke Moor, Droog 2006
• The Furniture Machine – Furniture since 1990, Gareth Williams, V&A Publications 2006
• Spoon, Emilia Terragni, Phaidon 2002
• Fork, Phaidon 2007
• Simply Materials, Victionary ISBN 978-988-98228-7-3
• The Independent Design Guide – Innovative Products from the New Generation, Laura Houseley, Thames and Hudson
• The Psychology of everyday things, Donald A.Norman, Basic Books 1988
• Marcel Wanders Behind the Ceiling, Gestalten 2009
• Design Research Methods and Perspectives, Brenda Laurel, The MIT Press 2003
• Materials for Inspirational Design WOOD, Chris Lefteri, Rotovision, 2005
• Material World, Innovative Materials for Architecture and Design, Frame, Birkhauser
• Materiology, The Creative Industry’s guide to Materials and Technology, Frame, Birkhauser.
• The making of Design – From The First Model to the Final Product, Gerrit Terstiege, Birkhauser
• Pure Design. Objects of Desire, J. M. Calmettes, Monsa, 2006
• Materials for Architectural Design, V. Ballard Bell, LaurenceKing, 2006
• Furnish. Furniture and Interior Design for the 21st Century, Die Gestalten Verlag, 2007
• Desire. The Shape of Things to Come, Die Gestalten Verlag, 2008
• Limited Edition: Prototypes, One-Offs and Design Art Furniture, S. Lovell, Birkhauser, 2009

The taught part of the course is delivered to the students by means of extended project briefings, practical workshops, exercises, illustrated lectures and group critiques. The lecturer prepares lecture notes and presentations.

Lectures, practical workshops, exercises are supplemented by the creative use of computer/digital based skills and hand skills such as photography, illustration and print. Electronic image/type via Apple Macintosh or PC hardware and software can lead to alternative and unique visual solutions. The outcome is always enriched through visual research and reading.

During class session students are centred to practical work, personal research, realization and manipulation in the project work.