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Stacked Coffee Table by Hemal Patel |
Home > Winners > Design #69110 >Interview |
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FS: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
HP: Stacked is a range of wooden coffee tables inspired by cards casually heaped in a pile.
FS: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
HP: The main aim was to design a piece of furniture that breaks away from the customaryrectangular and circular table shapes, thus offering a novel and playful aesthetic that is as well suited to domestic interiors as it is to commercial spaces.
FS: What are your future plans for this award winning design?
HP: We hope to grow the range with a series of pieces with a similar aesthetic.
FS: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
HP: The concept came about very quickly, but prototyping, testing and developing the pieces for volume production took about 6 months.
FS: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
HP: As we are a start-up we created the pieces to showcase our capabilities to prospective clients, and to build our portfolio. At the time of conception the project was not commissioned, it was a purely speculative endeavour.
FS: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?
HP: Luckily, the table was picked up by a London-based brand called HeadSprung!, who are manufacturing and selling the piece.
FS: What made you design this particular type of work?
HP: We wanted to create something different and unique that has a whimsical and relax aesthetic. Also, wood is one of our favourite materials because of the way it looks and feels, so we wanted to design something that showcases its many species, grain structures and colours.
FS: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?
HP: No other designs or designers helped influence this work.
FS: Who is the target customer for his design?
HP: Our target customers are interior designers and architects for both domestic and contract environments. We also hope to target the design savvy and those interested in art and sculpture.
FS: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
HP: Its novel aesthetic and the use of multiple woods is what sets this design apart from other tables. In addition, it's modular design means parts are interchangeable, so we can fulfil custom orders quickly and easily. In fact, by pre-cutting and storing multiples of each component we can call off parts as and when required, meaning we can reduce costs, lead times, waste and stock holding.
FS: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
HP: Naming the table was easy as it refers to the way in which the three table tops are piled one on top of the other.
FS: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?
HP: We used 3D modelling software to design the table, and then a 3-axis CNC router to prototype and manufacture each piece. We also used specialist machinery to test the strength and durability of the designs, to ensure longevity and fitness for purpose in domestic and contract environments.
FS: What is the most unique aspect of your design?
HP: The most unique aspect of the design is the way the table showcases three different woods (American Maple, European Oak and American Black Walnut). By placing them on top of each other you can easily see the different characteristics and beauty of each one. The table really is a celebration of wood.
FS: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?
HP: We worked with a joinery company on the finer details of the product, especially in developing the flat-pack aspects of the design, and in simplifying the design for scale-up in production.
FS: What is the role of technology in this particular design?
HP: Technology allowed us to model the table, and fabricate it in a quick, efficient and repeatable way. Without the use of 3D modelling software or automated machinery we would not be able to make the piece in volume, or at an accessible price point.
FS: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?
HP: In the process of designing the table we researched different wood species for their individual aesthetic beauty and their suitability for our requirements.
FS: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
HP: The biggest challenge we faced was to designing the table for flat-pack design. We needed to make assembly simple enough so that anyone could do it within a few minutes, but we also needed to make the table robust enough that it would provide a long service life in demanding environments.
FS: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?
HP: From the early reaction we received from the manufacturer and the public we realised we had a design that could be award worthy. This gave us confidence to submit the design to various design competitions.
FS: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?
HP: We learned more about the qualities and processing of wood, and about the capabilities and limitations of CNC technologies. The project also helped to cement our resolve to work more closely with suppliers and clients, to bring to market better realised, more innovative products.
FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.
A' Design Award and Competitions grants rights to press members and bloggers to use parts of this interview. This interview is provided as it is; DesignPRWire and A' Design Award and Competitions cannot be held responsible for the answers given by participating designers.
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