Furniture Design Workshop

Course Description

In this course, we take a modern and practical approach to the prototyping of new chair designs. Utilizing pre-formed veneer shells and chair components and standard chair bases, we will focus on designing readily—and realistically— producible furniture. Form and design inspiration will be crucial to developing a successful chair that is distinctive in an increasingly standardized industry.

We will start with lectures detailing the social, political, and practical developments behind the idea of ‘design mass-produced’ and develop chair designs within this ideology that are at once modern, unique, considered, and resolved. In keeping with the New Nordic movement in design, we will repurpose and refresh existing typologies in a new light. This will include selecting colorways for the chairs, as part of the final design will be a proposed color palette for production. The color palette must consist of one color or pattern selected and applied to the students’ chairs for the final presentation.

We will use elements from two major sources for the Danish furniture industry: shells and seat components from Midform (www.midform.dk), and leg and base components from JM Rør (www.jmror.dk).

Prerequisites

Prior experience with furniture design, stationary power tools, and hand tools is required.

Co-requisite

Simultaneous enrollment in a studio core course at DIS in the disciplines of Architecture, Graphic Design, Interior Architecture, or Urban Design. Exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis through the Architecture & Design department. Enrollment is limited due to restricted workshop space.

Learning Objectives

• Familiarize students with the history and philosophy of Danish furniture design
• Understand the significance of designing within industry parameters
• Understand and explore the collaboration between designers and manufacturers in Denmark
• Develop a 1:1 chair prototype
• Research color trends and apply a unique color concept to the chair

Approach to Teaching

The time spent in the studio and workshop, refining the design, and incorporating practical considerations and proportions are integral to our process. Designing furniture is not just about a unique concept or perfect working drawing—students will not simply be making a model of their designs, but making functional chairs. Outside of class, students are expected to continue to explore and expand their sources of inspiration, making sketches and measurements of furniture, architecture, plant life, or patterns—all of which will contribute to an informed and successful design.

A chair will be considered successful if its story and design development are compelling, it is comfortable and functional, and it makes creative use of the pre-formed materials provided.

Faculty

Peter Johansen

Graduated from The Danish Design School (now the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Design), the line of Furniture and Spatial Design, in 2004. He has received several grants from the Danish Arts Foundation. Peter Johansen’s working process often involves modelling and experimenting in a scale of 1:1. He finds inspiration for his work in everyday life and materials and his immediate surroundings. In his own words, ’I guess I just have a habit of noticing my surroundings!’ He characterizes his own work as logical and as a flirt with banality. And as the son of a Norwegian father and a Swedish mother, Peter Johansen is a real mixture of a true Scandinavian. Scandinavian in his spirit, modern in his expression. With DIS since 2019.

Readings

All readings must be completed before the class for which they are assigned. Readings can be found on DIS Canvas or on reserve in the Library.

Field Studies

The class will visit manufacturers, museums, and showrooms in Greater Copenhagen.

Expectations of the Students

As the students’ ability to articulate and communicate their process is an important objective, in-class contribution, reading, and independent studies—as well as sketching at museums and showrooms—are the basis of the course. Workshop time is limited, so students must be prepared to work intensely and independently during these periods.

Grading

Final Presentation Breakdown

Evaluation of daily studio work makes up 40% of the total final assignment grade. This includes assessment of process, progress, and activity. Late submission of the final presentation will result in downgrading of process grade.

Assignment presentations make up 60% of the total final assignment grade. This includes the completion of assignment goals agreed upon by the student and the instructor, incorporating the following criteria: concept, execution of concept, drawings, process, participation, and presentation. Students will present their assignments to a panel of instructors including the student’s own instructor. Each student’s own instructor, in agreement with the other jurors, will determine grades.

Academic Regulations

• Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on: 

  • Course Enrollment and Grading  
  • Academic Expectations and Honor Code 

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