Project Furniture Design
Project Furniture Design
The students' design projects ranged from simple bookshelves to step stools to rolling storage bins. The clients wanted something for a specific purpose, such as a theater department needed a portable swinging door for its stage or a skateboard riding administrator needed a wall-mounted rack. Students interviewed clients to understand what they wanted, created sketches, and used power tools to create their own furniture. Eventually, they completed and displayed the furniture, earning a certificate in Project Furniture Design.
The Bernhardt initiative also seeks collaborators outside the world of design, such as actor Terry Crews and musician Tift Merritt. Gebbia, a Providence resident, has worked with a local furniture maker and learned Japanese joinery. He also experimented with different finishes. While studying painting in college, Gebbia switched his major to industrial design, where he was introduced to the Eames brothers. He was inspired by their designs and went on to design furniture for them.
The furniture designers prepare models and drawings to test the furniture, aiding decision-making and supporting marketing efforts. They also select components and settle manufacturing details, create digital instructions, and supervise the production tooling. The designers may also work on the product development team, collaborating with mechanical engineers and upholsterers to produce the actual product. As a result, they often work closely with other members of the development team. But they don't just work on the design; they also collaborate with architects, engineers, and product managers.
The students' design projects ranged from simple bookshelves to step stools to rolling storage bins. The clients wanted something for a specific purpose, such as a theater department needed a portable swinging door for its stage or a skateboard riding administrator needed a wall-mounted rack. Students interviewed clients to understand what they wanted, created sketches, and used power tools to create their own furniture. Eventually, they completed and displayed the furniture, earning a certificate in Project Furniture Design.
The Bernhardt initiative also seeks collaborators outside the world of design, such as actor Terry Crews and musician Tift Merritt. Gebbia, a Providence resident, has worked with a local furniture maker and learned Japanese joinery. He also experimented with different finishes. While studying painting in college, Gebbia switched his major to industrial design, where he was introduced to the Eames brothers. He was inspired by their designs and went on to design furniture for them.
The furniture designers prepare models and drawings to test the furniture, aiding decision-making and supporting marketing efforts. They also select components and settle manufacturing details, create digital instructions, and supervise the production tooling. The designers may also work on the product development team, collaborating with mechanical engineers and upholsterers to produce the actual product. As a result, they often work closely with other members of the development team. But they don't just work on the design; they also collaborate with architects, engineers, and product managers.
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