This is an example of how not to do a silicone mould…..
Lindsay and Yoshi
An important part of my design is the design process and journey that the consumer goes through. I want to give consumers the opportunity to customise their furniture with a print, colour or image of their choice.
I have been given the opportunity to work with local Textile designer here in Aberdeen Lindsay from Linsday and Yoshi.
Here is some examples of her work in which is on show on her gallery. I intend to give the user the freedom to transfer such prints they might seek inspiration from onto their furniture.
Stoppa stoppa?
In my final renders it was pointed out to me by a consumer that I had no rubber stoppers or bumpers to protect the table legs. How can I resolve this?
Option 1: Add rubber stoppers to the bottom of the leaves in line with the table legs.
Option 2: Move the component screw piece to be in line with the legs and add a rubber stopper onto them.
Option 3: Move the legs to make them in line with the screw pieces that can have rubber put on them.
I went to B and Q to see of there was anything I could buy pre-manufactured……
It’s like watching paint dry…..
I knew MDF took a lot to get to a nice finish or even to look even but it is taking MUCH more primer and paint to get to a finish anywhere near where I want it!
I suppose it is good practice….?
Testing the screw component …
Here are a few images showing the new screw component fixing the pieces of MDF together.
Unfortunately it was too big and did not hold the material tight enough, the washer was loose.
Final prototype material selection TABLE TOP
Choosing material thicknesses to create the drop leaf parts to the design has been quite difficult. The main table top will be made from 18mm thick MDF that is laminated in Oak. For this reason, the sides will need to be made from two parts which add to 18mm.
At first I was going to use 6mm MDF with a 12mm MDF then primer and paint the parts. However, this would create thicker material due to the added layers. For this reason I am using a 6mm MDF with 9mm. I will test the overall thickness through my final prototype to decide on my final material.
More component development
One of the most important features to the overall design is the component that fixes the sides together on the drop leaf parts of the table. Below are some more images of the final design for the component.
I have increased the thickness to reduce stress on the part the screw is going into. During testing this broke!
My final design also offers a new shape to the top which will help the user to grip the component when tightening the screw.
This design could also translate into other components with the rest of the furniture range……
Extendable table
This extendable table from Alain Giles is a perfect example of a designer considering the functional parts as a design feature within the product.
For me this is very important as I have to find a way of creating an aesthetically acceptable and possible design focus when finalising my connection pieces.
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Fashion and furniture
One of the biggest inspirations behind my current design focus has been the link between fashion and furniture. Over the beginning few months I delved into the meaning of furniture and how the cycle of fashion affected the life cycle of such products.
Through much of the research it became clear that this push for fast fashion has been influenced and encouraged by the retailers or manufacturers that are hoping for increased sales.
A recent visit to the Paul Smith exhibition in London showed this linkage between different design fields. Paul Smith has worked within fashion to product design and all the way into automotive design over the years. Below are a few images of the exhibition.
Achica
Some interesting pieces of storage solutions and other furniture on Achica…
JaiBee Design 