Furniture Design I PILOT

Week 1: why curves?

• Understanding the Problem: Delving into common furniture design challenges.
• Exploring Solutions: Two distinct approaches to furniture design.
• Developing the Right Mindset: Cultivating a designer’s mindset for success.
• Making Design Personally Significant: How to ensure your work resonates.

Week 2: Seeking Inspiration

• The Universal Appeal of Nature: How natural forms inspire design.
• Incorporating ‘Funk Shui’: Blending fun and functionality.
• Prioritizing Emotions Over Materials: Designing with feelings in mind.
• Harnessing Stream of Consciousness: Using free association for creativity.

Week 3: Cultivating Ideas

• Navigating the Design Flowchart:
• Simplification: The art of reduction in design.
• From Simple to Symbolic: Mastering abstraction.
• Designing Within Limits: The role of constraints.
• Planting Creative Seeds: Starting points for design.
• Iteration as Growth: The iterative process in idea development.

Week 4-5: Core Design Principles

• Balancing Ratios and Proportions: Understanding geometry and perspective.
• The Role of Contrast: Enhancing designs with contrast.
• Visual Dynamics:
• Guiding the Eye: Utilizing leading lines.
• Visual Weight: The balance of design elements.
• Knowing When to Pause: Learning the art of completion.
• CRAP Principles: Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, Proximity.
• Textures in Design: The tactile aspect of furniture.
• The Narrative of Grain: How wood grain contributes to design.

Week 6: Realizing Designs

• Intro to Rhino: Basics of 3D modeling with Rhino.
• Tool Mastery: Selecting and using the right tools.
• Choosing Materials: Guidance on material selection.
• Forming Techniques:
• Advanced Shaping: Vacuum pressing and steam bending.
• Glue Wisdom: Selecting and using adhesives.
• Finishing Touches:
• Spray Finishing: Techniques for a superior quality finish.
• Reducing Failures: Tips for a successful build.
• Crossing the Finish Line: Completing a design project.

Week 7: Design Business Strategies

• Smart Pricing: How to price your work.
• Narrative Value: Enhancing value through storytelling.
• Cultivating Worth: Value for clients and self.
• Expanding Reach:
• Leveraging Social Media: Organic marketing strategies.
• Customer Relations: Using CRM to build relationships.
• Effective Advertising: Running ads that convert.

Week 8: Making an Impact

• Lessons in Design: Key takeaways from experience.
• Portfolio Development: Showcasing your work.
• Client Interaction: Tips for working with clients.
• Networking: Building industry connections.
• Storytelling Through Design: Communicating the value of your work.

Live Group Sessions (Weeks 1-8)

Personal Consultations

• Expert-led discussions on:
  • Engineering
  • Product Design
  • Graphic Design
  • Industrial Design
  • Storytelling
• Two individual sessions for personalized guidance on needs, goals, and execution strategies.