design process 2stéphane angoulvant / spring 2009 process book
INTERLOCKING OBJECTS stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 2
sources: google images; wikipedia.
K’NEX uses rods and connectors to form a wide variety of constructions. These pieces are joined by grooves and notches which fit snugly within each other.
Stickle Bricks are a construction toy intended for small children. The bricks are joined together by thin plastic rods which cover one or more surfaces of the brick.
LEGO consist of different shaped bricks which can interlock to create complex structures. The flexible plastic is what creates structural strength between the pieces.
JOVO is a construction toy consisting of various flat shapes such as triangles, squares and pentagons which snap together on a hinge allowing for the creation of three dimensional shapes.
Woodcraft puzzles are made from flat pieces of plywood which are assembled by connecting the matching grooves.
INTERLOCKING OBJECTS stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 2
“Plug-together” shelving made from plywood and plastic connectors
Cardboard chair by Swedish furniture company Dux.
source: “nomadic furniture” by james hennessey & victor papanek
Template and result for an interlocking plywood stool
Simple corrugated cardboard support
INTERLOCKING OBJECTS stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 2
sources: google images; flickr
Small table which can be packed flat. The parts assemble with interlocking grooves.
Eco-friendly packaging design for earphones made from cardboard. The package is fastened with a tab which inserts into the slit.
Clock created from flat parts which are assembled with slots and grooves.
Detail of a cross-shaped joint which is locked in place by the weight of the table.
BENCHMARKING: CHAIRS stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 2
sources: google images; ikea; core77
Foam chair folded into shape from a single sheet of semi-rigid foam.
Wood plastic composite chair for IKEA. Packed flat for assembly.
Corrugated cardboard chair designed for toddlers. Assembled from flat parts with matching slots.
Chair built from a single panel of plywood and assembled with grooves and notches.
Flat-packed aluminium chair cut by laser and assembled with interlocking slots.
BENCHMARKING: CHAIRS stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 2
sources: google images; creadesign; core77
Chair and matching table designed for children by Hans Wegner. Assembled with slots and pegs.
“Zig Zag” chair designed in 1932 by Gerrit Rietveld, it uses four flat panels and two supporting elements.
Children’s chair designed for Muji. Soft rounded edges and a friendly shapes make it safe for children to use.
Chair by Hannu Kähonen for Creadesign which folds completely flat.
Eco-friendly chair made from curved pieces of bamboo. A fast-growing woody plant, bamboo is strong and renewable.
BENCHMARKING: CHAIRS stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 2
sources: google images; designboom, core77
Wood chair based on a simple interlocking slot system.
Flat-packed lounge chair designed by D. E. Sellers
Folding corrugated cardboard chair made from a single piece of material.
Cardboard chair made from a single template. Assembled with folding tabs.
Wood chair based on interlocking joints.
BENCHMARKING: CHAIRS stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 2
source: “modern chairs” by charlotte 7 peter fiell
“ Paimio chair” (1931) by Alvar Aalto made from bent plywood and solid birch. The prominent curves give a friendly look to an otherwise simple design.
“Ribbon chair” (1961) by Cesare Leonardi & Franca Stagi made from steel and moulded fiberglass. The sculptural form creates a dynamic and surprising elegance.
“Easy Edges Series” (1972) by Frank Gehry made from laminated corrugated cardboard. Made from a renewable and sturdy material which allows for a great variety of designs.
“Papp chair” (1967) by Peter Raacke made from cardboard. A precursor in the design of cardboard chairs. Uses folded tabs as fasteners.
“Powerplay chair” (1990) by Frank Gehry made from bent and woven laminated wood. Explores lightweight wooden strips as a solution for strong curvy designs.
OBSERVATIONAL RESEARCH stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 3
sitting on bench
at Art Center
working at
a desk
reading on the couch
Art Center
stool
smoking on
the steps
eating at the
cafeteria
MATERIAL RESEARCH stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 3
sources: inhabitat.com; kennethcobonpue.com
plybooA form of bamboo plywood, this material is manufactured by Smith & Fong. Because bamboo is strong and grows 30% faster than any tree it is a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution. Unfortunately, the material remains costly because it is in relatively small production.
Rick Lee’s “Four Seasons” furniture is a set of tables made using a CNC milling machine. The cutouts were used to create room dividers.
The “Cha table” by Redstr / Collective is an eco-friendly piece of furniture made from plyboo and assembled with a simple slot system.
“Tagei” by Akemi Tanaka is a piece of furniture that functions both as a table and bench with its sliding plyboo panels. This design shows how elegant plyboo can be.
rattanRattan is a type of palm growing primarily in Indonesia. Its stems are commonly used to build furniture in Southeast Asia. Like bamboo it is a fast-growing plant which can be harvested sustainably.
Designer Kenneth Cobonpue uses rattan extensively in his furniture to create beautiful organic forms. In some cases, the canes are fastened with nylon wire, or fit together in a metal or plastic frame.
MATERIAL RESEARCH stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 3
sources: “transmaterial” by blaine brownell; mocoloco.com
“Living in a Box” is a concept piece by Trans|alpin demonstrating the possibilities of Wood.E.
wood.e Described by its creators as “electrified plywood” it is developed by the German-Italian design firm Trans|alpin. This composite material is made of two metallic layers sandwiched between sheets of wood delivering a ubiquitous 12V current.
Sound and light can be integrated seamlessly into the environment using the electric current.
This material creates new opportunities to combine furniture and lighting, joining what usually are isolated objects without cords.
luminate A combination of translucent plastic and wood strips manufactured by Ambro. This material uses 25% as much hardwood as conventional solid wood panels. It is a form of acrylic adhered to timber by a proprietary fusion process.
Luminate creates the possibility to meld both natural and artificial light with furniture and architecture.
This material can be used to create a host of clever solutions to lighting.
MATERIAL RESEARCH stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 3
sources: wikipedia.org; inmodern.net; “transmaterial” by blaine brownell; kireiusa.com
fsc smartwoodThe Forest Stewartship Council (FSC) is an international organization that promotes responsible management of forests. It sets standards such as “SmartWood” that verify the logging practices to ensure the sustainability and health of forests worldwide. A wide variety of woods can therefore be used under this certification.
InModern has created a line of flat-packed furniture, assembled with simple interlocking panels. The products are made from environmentally friendly FSC-certified birch plywood.
kirei boardMade from recycled sorghum stalks this material can be used much like plywood and has a unique appearance. Kirei board contains no formaldehyde and is made from a renewable resource.
“Lorenzo Chair” by Zola Furnishings shows a potential use of Kirei board.
Kirei board has been used primarily as a finishing material since it was first manufactured in 2003. Its full potential may still be something to achieve.
MATERIAL RESEARCH stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 3
source: “ the art of japanese joinery” by kiyosi seike
Dovetailed lap joint
Lapped goose-neck mortise and tenon joint with stub tenons
Inserted tenon joint
Rabbeted oblique scarf joint
Half-blind stub tenon
Draw pin joint
japanese joineryJapanese architecture has a tradition of woodworking joints which dates to over a thousand years ago. The structure of these buildings was simple but relied on strong joinery which is illustrated here. These techniques draw strength from their mechanics rather than glue or other fasteners.
DIRECTION: SCANDINAVIA stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 3
sources: danish-furniture.com; wikipedia; s.angoulvant.net
Poul Kjærholm, “PK 0” chair, 1952, made of bent plywood. The dynamic curves give personality to a fairly simple design.
Arne Jacobsen, “Ant chair”, 1952, rosewood and steel pipe.
Alvar Aalto, “Louge Chair 43”, 1936, birch and linen.
Børge Mogensen, “Hunting Chair”, 1950, oak and leather. The use of materials gives a refines the feeling of raw nature.
Poul Kjærholm, “PK 25” chair, 1951, made of steel and flag halyard.
Poul Kjærholm, “PK 24” chair, 1965, made of steel and cane. This design fits within the principles of modernism with its minimalist and functional aesthetic. However, the subtle curves and use of natural materials adds a warm and friendly feeling.
Alvar Aalto, “Children’s Chair N65”, 1933, birch.
The Icelandic landscapes convey a calm but powerful image of nature found in Scandinavian design.
IDEATION: SCANDINAVIA stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 3
fabric creates curve
interlocking pieces
hexagon chair
DIRECTION: SCANDINAVIA stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 4
sources: danish-furniture.com; s.angoulvant.net
Eero Saarinen, “Grasshopper chair”, 1946. Follows the simple curves and elegance of Scandinavian design.
Timo Saarnio, “Picco” chair for Martela.
Poul Kjærholm, “PK 9” chair, 1960, made of leather and steel.
The Scandinavian culture, as exemplified by these pictures of Iceland, is in tune with nature. This becomes apparent in the materials and shapes used by Scandinavian designers.
Scandinavian culture and design can be summarized as: simple for its minimal forms and calm aesthetic; natural for its non-obtrusive and traditionally ecological quality and friendly for its warm and inviting appearance.
Simple, natural & friendly
Traditional Icelandic roofing, in Glaumbaer keeps the house warm during the cold winter months.
IDEATION: SCANDINAVIA stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 4
kitchen stool
bar stools
office chair
semi-lounging chair → simple curve
rope chair
bent plywood chair → low to the ground
→ outdoor?
→ different orientations?
DIRECTION: LES VOYAGES EXTRAORDINAIRES stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 3
sources: wikipedia.org; smithsonian institution libraries
Jules Verne’s series of books “ Les Voyages Extraordinaires” pioneered the science-fiction genre and remain popular since their publishing (1863-1905). Part of their appeal were the illustrations which accompanied the text and still provide inspiration for the genre today.
The engravings depict unexplored worlds and mythical beasts which inspire a sense of discovery and wonder.
IDEATION: LES VOYAGES EXTRAORDINAIRES stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 3
rocket chair → 2-legged for children
→ fun, exploration
propeller stool
hot air balloon chair
squid/jellyfish stool
→ multiple orientations
→ different environments
DIRECTION: LES VOYAGES EXTRAORDINAIRES stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 4
sources: wikipedia.org; smithsonian institution libraries
Adventurous & fantastic exploration Jules Verne’s books have inspired both the worlds of science and science-fiction. Widely enjoyed especially by young readers, the adventurous stories provoke excitement and wonder. The fantastic and mysterious worlds that Verne’s protagonists encounter stimulate creativity and inspires readers to embark on their own exploration.
Jules Verne’s tales are not only visionary but also approach the unexpected and mysterious.
IDEATION: LES VOYAGES EXTRAORDINAIRES stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 4
cloud armchair → whimsical
hot air balloon lamp
porthole chairs
→ upside down mushroom
→ gills used as seating
→ A Journey to the Center
of the Earth
DIRECTION: ARTHROPODS stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 3
source: wikipedia.org
More than half of all known organisms are insects. Their wide diversity in shapes, adaptations and environments provides a great deal of inspiration for both the form and function of a chair. The junctions in their exoskeleton also evokes the assembly of a product.
IDEATION: ARTHROPODS stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 3
mantis chaise longue
mantis stool
dragonfly chaise longue → weighted
→ wings as armrests?
five-legged stool → different stable
positions
top view
butterfly → 2-person chair
hat-rest?
DIRECTION: ARTHROPODS stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 4
source: wikipedia.org
Arthropods include insects, spiders and scorpions, crustaceans and the extinct trilobites.
Strange, alive, mechanicalWith their variety of strange, unusual and almost alien shapes, arthropods provide inspiration for intriguing designs. Their carapace and joints make them seem almost mechanical yet they retain the distinct nature of a living creature, and therefore their shapes bring to life any design.
The shapes of arthropods can range from familiar and friendly to alien and scary. Yet they retain a certain uniformity by virtue of the very unique exoskeleton structure.
IDEATION: ARTHROPODS stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 4
caterpillar bench → public seating, privacy, e.g. airports
scorpion chair → integrates reading lamp
ladybug chair → 2-person chair converts into table
ant picnic bench → seating and eating
crab chair → decorative piece
CHAIR MOCK-UPS stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 4
CHAIR MOCK-UPS stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 4
DIRECTION: ARTHROPODS stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 5
sources: wikipedia.org
Arthropods have interesting and inspiring shapes but the patterns they display can be equally intriguing. Their colors may be used to warn predators or to mimic such a warning; they may also be a way to blend in with their environment or disguise themselves as another animal. All these ideas could be explored in furniture designs.
IDEATION: ARTHROPODS stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 5
ladybug chair → longer wings/back?
using antennae as supports
for back rest
lamp attachment
caterpillar bench → bookshelf addon for home
butterfly → folding chair/bench/table
→ Rhinoceros beetle
→ coat hanger?
sections for caterpillar bench
IDEATION: ARTHROPODS stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 5
leaf insect → chair and ottoman
stick insect → park/playground
→ seating, climbing, playing
ant park bench / outdoor furniture → different seating arrangements
→ padding could be used on the ground for seating
using antennae/mandibles as
functional elements: coat hanger or
arm rests.
1/2 SCALE MOCK-UPS stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 5
Ladybug-inspired chair proof of concept. Made from laminated layers of corrugated cardboard. This chair is intended for two persons but can also be closed partially or fully to create table space. The “antennae” serve as a locking mechanism for the back rests.
This bench was inspired by a caterpillar and could be used in a public setting or as a piece of home furniture. It provides an environment that may be used as seating or shelving and can also create privacy between users.
This ant-inspired design is a humorous take on picnic benches. The shape is designed to be used both as seating and as an eating area and could be implemented in parks.
BEVERLY BLVD. FURNITURE STORES stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 4
Different living spaces created through seating.
Many plastic rods are used to create a rigid back for this chair.
Horizontal stacks of cardboard create a familiar profile for this recyclable armchair.
Soft angular shapes create a warm and welcoming feeling which is accentuated by the choice of color. This is appropriate in multiple environments.
The use of rope creates a structure which uses less material and allows for a natural springiness.
GREGG FLEISHMAN’S STUDIO stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 5
Located in Culver City, Gregg Fleishman’s studio exhibits some of his many creations, developed over a 35-year career. His interlocking designs often add an element of comfort through curved, spring-like forms which bend to fit the user.
Fleishman has refined the design of his spring-shaped patterns to create the most comfortable arrangement.
Fleishman’s designs are based on simple joints which do not require any glue. Most of the chairs are assembled from either two or three parts.
DIRECTION: ANT BENCH stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 6
source: wikipedia.org
The rear legs of an ant are longer than those in the front. Multiple parts of the insect anatomy can provide inspiration. The antennae or mandibles can be starting points for functional features in the bench (book ends, cup holder, etc.).
The interaction between ants and their environment can also be a source of inspiration for the “+” item.
Ant colonies form interesting patterns which may be a direction to explore for the use of this object (e.g. public seating arrangements).
Different postures may be a possibility to explore.
ANT BENCH: IDEATION stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 6
legs in parallel position
assembling interlocking parts
different feet and
leg designs
ANT BENCH: IDEATION stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 6
legs in x-shape
more stable
reading story
→ different seating position
mandibles become
cup holder
antennae bookends?
longer rear legs?
1/2 SCALE MOCK-UPS stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 6
The ant concept was chosen as a final direction. Improvements were made to the overall form in this second half-scale mock-up made of laminated cardboard. The shape takes on a more literal character and volume is created particularly in the “ thorax” .
This bench was inspired by a caterpillar and could be used in a public setting or as a piece of home furniture. It provides an environment that may be used as seating or shelving and can also create privacy between users.
Improvements were made to the leg structure. Using a cross shape creates more stability while adding to the organic nature of the object.
ANT BENCH: IDEATION stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 7
crayon/pen holder works
with mandibles
smaller insect stool?
aphid?
twig/leaf as a coat hanger?
cushion becomes
seating
ANT BENCH: IDEATION stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 7
dry erase/chalkboard surface
on abdomen
toy box slides out from
under the abdomen
small caterpillar
lamp
FULL-SCALE MOCK-UP stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 7
This first full-scale mock-up is almost directly adapted from the half-scale version. Antennae were added to the head as a functional element which can act as bookends. The legs were also modified to become longer in the rear.
The cantilevered thorax was found to be too unstable when brought into full scale.
FULL-SCALE MOCK-UP stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 8
Modifications were made in this second full-scale cardboard mock-up. The most important change was the addition of two rear legs which create additional stability for the thorax. The entire shape was also reduced in size by approximately 20% making it more fit for home usage and reducing the necessary amount of material.
The antennae act as bookends while the mandibles can function as a cup-holder.
FULL-SCALE MOCK-UP stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 9
This first wood mock-up was made from maple plywood and cut on the CNC router. Minor modifications were made to the rear legs, making them longer and more stable.
The parts were found to interlock tightly and the structure was stable enough to seat two adults.
ANT BENCH SCENARIOS stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 9
This ant-inspired bench was designed to function both as an indoor and outdoor furniture piece. Its playful design encourages all members of the family to interact.
The flexibility of this design suggests a great variety of activities and usages such as reading, working, eating and playing.
The engaging aesthetic of this bench makes it an interesting sculptural object when it isn’t in use.
ANT BENCH SCENARIOS stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 9
ANT BENCH: LAYOUT stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 9
EXPLODED VIEW stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 11
assembly
1. Slot the leg parts b1 and b2 together.2. Slide the rear leg parts c1 into the main body b.3. Fasten b to the legs b1 and b2.4. Slide in the antennae a1 into b.5. Slot parts c2 and c3 into the rear legs c1.6. Fasten c to the rear tabs on c1, c2 and c3.7. Slide a through the antennae a1.8. Slot the leg parts d1 and d2 together.9. Fasten d to the legs d1 and d2.
FINAL MODEL stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 14
This first wood mock-up was made from maple plywood and cut on the CNC router. Minor modifications were made to the rear legs, making them longer and more stable.
The parts were found to interlock tightly and the structure was stable enough to seat two adults.
FINAL MODEL stéphane angoulvantspring 2009 — week 14