Comments on: Let’s Talk Furniture Design http://www.beadesigngroup.com/blog/archives/2007/02/lets-talk-furniture-design.php A blog for graphic designers Fri, 10 Sep 2010 20:52:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Vanessa http://www.beadesigngroup.com/blog/archives/2007/02/lets-talk-furniture-design.php/comment-page-1#comment-4699 Vanessa Wed, 07 Mar 2007 16:22:06 +0000 http://www.beadesigngroup.com/2007/02/19/lets-talk-furniture-design/#comment-4699 I think that if you are a designer, you have to have a great sense of design for more that just graphics. I have taken this approach and design my own furniture (dining table, sofa table, and end table). If you saw an interior designer who dressed like a teen pop princess, wouldn't you wonder about her decorating style? Your furniture reflects your aesthetic. Are you scandinavian and an undergrad student? Great, go to Ikea. Are you living in a warehouse in the "arty" area of town with 25 other friends? Go to the thrift store. Are you a designer with an innate sense of beauty and the artesian urge to create? Then create. However, executing the craft is a different matter. I agree with Vonster: find a local carpenter. I f you have a fine wood store (exotic imported woods) or a hardware store that sells really nice carpenter's hand tools, they can probably recommend someone to you. The carpenter should be willing to look at your design, maybe even suggest some practical changes. Here are a couple of fine furniture links I find inspiring: <a href="http://www.finefurnituremaker.com/" rel="nofollow"><a href="http://www.finefurnituremaker.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.finefurnituremaker.com/</a></a> <a href="http://www.theoldcornstore.co.uk/james/furniture_gallery.htm" rel="nofollow"><a href="http://www.theoldcornstore.co.uk/james/furniture_gallery.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.theoldcornstore.co.uk/james/furniture_gallery.htm</a></a> good luck. I think that if you are a designer, you have to have a great sense of design for more that just graphics. I have taken this approach and design my own furniture (dining table, sofa table, and end table). If you saw an interior designer who dressed like a teen pop princess, wouldn’t you wonder about her decorating style? Your furniture reflects your aesthetic. Are you scandinavian and an undergrad student? Great, go to Ikea. Are you living in a warehouse in the “arty” area of town with 25 other friends? Go to the thrift store. Are you a designer with an innate sense of beauty and the artesian urge to create? Then create. However, executing the craft is a different matter. I agree with Vonster: find a local carpenter. I f you have a fine wood store (exotic imported woods) or a hardware store that sells really nice carpenter’s hand tools, they can probably recommend someone to you. The carpenter should be willing to look at your design, maybe even suggest some practical changes. Here are a couple of fine furniture links I find inspiring:
http://www.finefurnituremaker.com/
http://www.theoldcornstore.co.uk/james/furniture_gallery.htm

good luck.

]]> By: Jeremy http://www.beadesigngroup.com/blog/archives/2007/02/lets-talk-furniture-design.php/comment-page-1#comment-4698 Jeremy Wed, 28 Feb 2007 07:04:25 +0000 http://www.beadesigngroup.com/2007/02/19/lets-talk-furniture-design/#comment-4698 If you want a distinct design, then design it yourself. Target and Ikea might have some well designed stuff but do you want to spend $1500 on a tv and have a $150 tv stand made of poor quality materials? If you are going to buy, look for something that fits your style and is made of quality materials(solid woods and plywood-NO MDF or particle board). If you are going to build it yourself(which can be a lot of fun and very fulfilling), make sure that your level of craftsmanship can do justice to your design. You wouldn't make a kick ass print design and have it printed at Kinko's would you? If you can't build it the way you want to, ask somebody to help or hire somebody to build it. Go to your local woodworking store and ask if they know any custom builders. Chances are every person working at a woodworking store could build it for you. If you have kids or are planning to have kids, mount the tv on the wall at least 3 1/2 feet from the floor so it can't be reached or accidentally knocked over. If you want a distinct design, then design it yourself.

Target and Ikea might have some well designed stuff but do you want to spend $1500 on a tv and have a $150 tv stand made of poor quality materials? If you are going to buy, look for something that fits your style and is made of quality materials(solid woods and plywood-NO MDF or particle board).

If you are going to build it yourself(which can be a lot of fun and very fulfilling), make sure that your level of craftsmanship can do justice to your design. You wouldn’t make a kick ass print design and have it printed at Kinko’s would you?

If you can’t build it the way you want to, ask somebody to help or hire somebody to build it. Go to your local woodworking store and ask if they know any custom builders. Chances are every person working at a woodworking store could build it for you.

If you have kids or are planning to have kids, mount the tv on the wall at least 3 1/2 feet from the floor so it can’t be reached or accidentally knocked over.

]]> By: shannon http://www.beadesigngroup.com/blog/archives/2007/02/lets-talk-furniture-design.php/comment-page-1#comment-4697 shannon Mon, 26 Feb 2007 21:37:17 +0000 http://www.beadesigngroup.com/2007/02/19/lets-talk-furniture-design/#comment-4697 yeah, nothing can beat this bad boy and i'm pickin' one up this spring... <a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=1207&f=22294" rel="nofollow">check it.</a> yeah, nothing can beat this bad boy and i’m pickin’ one up this spring…
check it.

]]> By: Scott http://www.beadesigngroup.com/blog/archives/2007/02/lets-talk-furniture-design.php/comment-page-1#comment-4696 Scott Sat, 24 Feb 2007 16:47:56 +0000 http://www.beadesigngroup.com/2007/02/19/lets-talk-furniture-design/#comment-4696 Wow! I'm surprised how many copouts are being offered here. If you want to remain engaged in this furniture design project, continue the challenge and enjoy it ... In the end, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing YOU did it; an educational experience; and if all goes well, bragging rights too. Those who have been properly educated primarily as "Graphic" designers definitely have the wherewithal to design across disciplines. The principles and elements of design remain the same. The distinction separating one designer from another is experience. So the only way you're going to successfully cross disciplines is through doing it, thus, gaining experience. I am in the final week of production (painting and lighting) of my fully built in home studio. I spent about 3 weeks designing the interior space (cabinets, desk, finish work, lighting, hardware, doors, etc.), then I had a few trusted carpentry experts bid the production end of it. Through experience, I have discovered that as much as I love to design anything, I am not a good finisher when it comes to finish carpentry. The studio is looking great and I am REALLY glad that I chose to design it myself, rather than having a generic cabinetry installer do their thing. I actually designed my own entertainment center about six years ago, primarily to house a 42in rear projection TV. It included shelves to hold the TV and other AV components that slid out on high capacity slide rails (two sets on the sides and one center) allowing me to easily adjust the cables in the back. The only problem, as stated above, is that it was not finished well ... so I tore it out and hired a carpenter to rebuild it. So, I say, design it; and, if you've got the time and ambition to produce it yourself ... go for it! Wow! I’m surprised how many copouts are being offered here. If you want to remain engaged in this furniture design project, continue the challenge and enjoy it … In the end, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing YOU did it; an educational experience; and if all goes well, bragging rights too. Those who have been properly educated primarily as “Graphic” designers definitely have the wherewithal to design across disciplines. The principles and elements of design remain the same. The distinction separating one designer from another is experience. So the only way you’re going to successfully cross disciplines is through doing it, thus, gaining experience.

I am in the final week of production (painting and lighting) of my fully built in home studio. I spent about 3 weeks designing the interior space (cabinets, desk, finish work, lighting, hardware, doors, etc.), then I had a few trusted carpentry experts bid the production end of it. Through experience, I have discovered that as much as I love to design anything, I am not a good finisher when it comes to finish carpentry. The studio is looking great and I am REALLY glad that I chose to design it myself, rather than having a generic cabinetry installer do their thing.

I actually designed my own entertainment center about six years ago, primarily to house a 42in rear projection TV. It included shelves to hold the TV and other AV components that slid out on high capacity slide rails (two sets on the sides and one center) allowing me to easily adjust the cables in the back. The only problem, as stated above, is that it was not finished well … so I tore it out and hired a carpenter to rebuild it.

So, I say, design it; and, if you’ve got the time and ambition to produce it yourself … go for it!

]]> By: fame is funny http://www.beadesigngroup.com/blog/archives/2007/02/lets-talk-furniture-design.php/comment-page-1#comment-4695 fame is funny Fri, 23 Feb 2007 11:53:57 +0000 http://www.beadesigngroup.com/2007/02/19/lets-talk-furniture-design/#comment-4695 Graphic designers can do interior design as well. I study and do (professionally) interior work as well and graphic design. A tv stand is pretty basic, but we would have to know what your surrounding elements look like to judge what should go there. Ikea makes some good basic stuff. www.westelm.com, target, crate and barrel, etc make some decent mid-price stuff. I build a lot of interior solutions, but a t.v. stand/cart is one of those projects that ends up taking more time and money than just going and buying a decent one. Graphic designers can do interior design as well. I study and do (professionally) interior work as well and graphic design.

A tv stand is pretty basic, but we would have to know what your surrounding elements look like to judge what should go there. Ikea makes some good basic stuff. http://www.westelm.com, target, crate and barrel, etc make some decent mid-price stuff. I build a lot of interior solutions, but a t.v. stand/cart is one of those projects that ends up taking more time and money than just going and buying a decent one.

]]> By: Mike Miller http://www.beadesigngroup.com/blog/archives/2007/02/lets-talk-furniture-design.php/comment-page-1#comment-4694 Mike Miller Wed, 21 Feb 2007 04:51:21 +0000 http://www.beadesigngroup.com/2007/02/19/lets-talk-furniture-design/#comment-4694 We (my wife and I) picked up a piece of furniture at the local thrift store for $20, sanded it down, and painted it all in the one weekend. We got rid of a bigger entertainment center and therefore had to get a new TV (you have to, it's a rule...). Anyhow, we found what looked to be a top of older china cabinet that looked like it had potential ‚Äì simple, clean lines; in good shape; real wood, not pressed. We got some new hardware for the knobs, painted it, and it looks great for the cost $20 and a half a weekend. Drop me an e-mail if you want to see a pic. We (my wife and I) picked up a piece of furniture at the local thrift store for $20, sanded it down, and painted it all in the one weekend. We got rid of a bigger entertainment center and therefore had to get a new TV (you have to, it’s a rule…).

Anyhow, we found what looked to be a top of older china cabinet that looked like it had potential – simple, clean lines; in good shape; real wood, not pressed. We got some new hardware for the knobs, painted it, and it looks great for the cost $20 and a half a weekend.

Drop me an e-mail if you want to see a pic.

]]> By: Thomas http://www.beadesigngroup.com/blog/archives/2007/02/lets-talk-furniture-design.php/comment-page-1#comment-4693 Thomas Tue, 20 Feb 2007 19:17:25 +0000 http://www.beadesigngroup.com/2007/02/19/lets-talk-furniture-design/#comment-4693 I built an end table out of legos one time. Moral of the story is, don't build an end table out of legos, Nate. I built an end table out of legos one time.

Moral of the story is, don’t build an end table out of legos, Nate.

]]> By: Franco http://www.beadesigngroup.com/blog/archives/2007/02/lets-talk-furniture-design.php/comment-page-1#comment-4692 Franco Tue, 20 Feb 2007 15:00:01 +0000 http://www.beadesigngroup.com/2007/02/19/lets-talk-furniture-design/#comment-4692 Funny, we're doing the exact same thing (looking for an entertainment cabinet that is). Oddly enough, Crate and Barrel had a nice one which utilized space and mobility very well and the price wasn't bad either. Simple design too... the Elements Media Cart. <a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=1152&f=10257" rel="nofollow"><a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=1152&f=10257" rel="nofollow">http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=1152&f=10257</a></a> Funny, we’re doing the exact same thing (looking for an entertainment cabinet that is). Oddly enough, Crate and Barrel had a nice one which utilized space and mobility very well and the price wasn’t bad either. Simple design too… the Elements Media Cart.

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=1152&f=10257

]]> By: tonepoems http://www.beadesigngroup.com/blog/archives/2007/02/lets-talk-furniture-design.php/comment-page-1#comment-4691 tonepoems Tue, 20 Feb 2007 00:43:17 +0000 http://www.beadesigngroup.com/2007/02/19/lets-talk-furniture-design/#comment-4691 For Ikea quality furniture at double the price you can always check out <a href="http://www.boconcept.us/Entertainment_units-62047.aspx." rel="nofollow"><a href="http://www.boconcept.us/Entertainment_units-62047.aspx." rel="nofollow">http://www.boconcept.us/Entertainment_units-62047.aspx.</a></a> For Ikea quality furniture at double the price you can always check out http://www.boconcept.us/Entertainment_units-62047.aspx.

]]> By: Bob http://www.beadesigngroup.com/blog/archives/2007/02/lets-talk-furniture-design.php/comment-page-1#comment-4690 Bob Mon, 19 Feb 2007 23:26:18 +0000 http://www.beadesigngroup.com/2007/02/19/lets-talk-furniture-design/#comment-4690 <a href="http://www.designspotter.com" rel="nofollow">designspotter.com</a> is a nice little blog type thingie for interior design. It's a lot of very conceptual work and I REALLY disklike most of it, but it's great for inspiration and seeing new angles to look at things. I just browse the new additions every two weeks or so. But I'm tending to agree with the IKEA posts... ;-) designspotter.com is a nice little blog type thingie for interior design.

It’s a lot of very conceptual work and I REALLY disklike most of it, but it’s great for inspiration and seeing new angles to look at things. I just browse the new additions every two weeks or so.

But I’m tending to agree with the IKEA posts… ;-)

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