DIPLOMA PROJECT PROPOSAL I: personal project intended on designing space saving furniture for small apartments.
SCENARIO
To fend for themselves, in times of rapid advancement in economic opportunities and technology, people are migrating from rural and semi-rural areas to urban areas for bigger social and economic opportunities. As a result of the former, there is an increasing crunch for living space which leads to the shortage of comfortable and cosy living standards. Living space has not only grown smaller but it has also become expensive and limited. In such circumstances, furniture plays a very crucial role. The scope for mainstream furniture in such spaces has deteriorated making it more confined and uncomfortable.
DESIGN BRIEF
The idea is to minimise extravagance of space and maintain the functionality. Therefore, to resolve the problem of space constraint, this project intends to design space saving furniture which is not just compact and multi-functional but would also be feasible for modern living and provide value for money. Understanding and studying the lifestyle of my target audience will play the most important role in this project. This will help me clear my vision regarding their needs in terms of furniture that would finally reflect in my designs. Since, the concept of convertible is just restricted to bed cum sofa to the Indian household; this project would also help them broaden their scope of multi-functionality. Therefore, exploration of forms, mechanism and function would be the main area of focus as per the Indian living standards.
NEED
Due to growing modernisation and globalisation, there has been a continual rise in the cost of living which has led to the change in lifestyle. To combat this situation, people are moving into more compact homes to reduce cost. As a result, their choice of furniture is restricted due to space constraint. Due to the above mentioned, there is a scope and demand for such furniture in the urban sector as it not only solves the problem of space but would help them live a satisfying life without sacrificing on the comfort.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
· Find the ideal user group
· Understand the lifestyle and needs of people living in small apartments.
· Look at existing concepts.
· Market study.
· Look at existing mechanism and joinery.
· Durability (long term or short term).
· Various techniques that may make the production simpler.
· Easy assembly (if required).
· Understand the ergonomics.
APPROACH AND PROCESS
· Understand the lifestyle of the people living in small space.
· Specify the target audience where the concept works best.
· Identify the needs of the users.
· Identify the space for the use of such products.
· Research on the existing concepts focusing on the functionality and aesthetics – see if the concepts are suitable in the Indian context.
· Understand the joinery and mechanisms involved in such products.
· Ideate, conceptualise, iterate and make scaled models of the products for the better understanding of the function, mechanism, ergonomics and the feel of the product.
· Prototyping
MATERIAL AND RESOURCES
· Websites.
Available at
http://www.homeinteriorszone.com/interior-decoration/furniture/19-amazing-furniture-to-make-the-most-out-of-tiny-apartment-space/ (accessed 30/5/2011)
http://www.movingtoday.com/what-furniture-style-do-you-want-in-your-apartment/ (accessed 24/5/2011)
http://www.furniturefashion.com/2011/06/09/10-cool-examples-of-modern-multi-functional-furniture.html (accessed 5/06/2011)
http://www.resourcefurniture.com/ (accessed 28/06/2011)
· Youtube videos.
· Books.
· Current companies that produces such products.
· Pdf guides with information on the hardware.
· Aid from designers with similar interest.
· Srishti school library.
· Dovetail furniture private limited for prototyping.
DELIVERABLES: will be based on the exploration and research
LEARNING OUTCOMES
· To work on an entire project starting from research to execution individually.
· Better understanding of the current trends in the market.
· Exploration of forms.
· Better understanding of mechanisms involved in furniture.
· Better understand of Ergonomics.
· Time management
· Better understanding of interaction between form and space.
