From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

                       "Mockups are commonly required by designers, architects, and end users for custom furniture and cabinetry.
                       The intention is often to produce a full sized replica, using inexpensive materials in order to verify a design.
                       Mockups are often used to determine the proportions of the piece, relating to various dimensions of the piece
                       itself, or to fit the piece into a specific space or room. The ability to see how the design of the piece relates
                       to the rest of the space is also an important factor in determining size and design.

                       When designing a functional piece of furniture, such as a desk or table or cabinet, mockups can be used to
                       test whether they suit typical human shapes and sizes. Mockups can also be used to test color, finish, and
                       design details which cannot be visualized from the initial drawings and sketches. Mockups used for this
                       purpose can be on a reduced scale.

                       The cost of making mockups is often more than repaid by the savings made by avoiding going forward with a
                       design which needs improvement"
 

                       Examine the mechanics of the design, component shapes, sizes ( proportions) and materials to be used.
                       The mechanics of construction typically describe the joinery and the engineering of the design.
  

                       Developing your Design

                       Assess the demands of the recipient of the furniture, be it yourself or a client. Both form and function should
                       be incorporated into the design. The design should be customized specifically for the intended use and also
                       for the recipients' wishes. Art furniture is in a different category... here form is the primary consideration
                       whereas function is secondary or not even part of the equation.

                       Design Considerations

                       You will need to create a form that fulfills all the functional expectations of the piece. Both form and function
                       should be considered in furniture design. The furniture design needs to work (function) but should also be
                       aesthetically pleasing (form).

                       Begin to visualize your design ideas through sketches
                       - You can work with designs that have been created before
                       - You can also work with your own or others designs
                       - You can create in your own style or a pre-existing style 

                       A design is initially developed in your mind and subsequently transferred to preliminary sketches. This is a
                       back and forth process, form an idea then sketch, form the next idea from the sketch, etc. Sketches become
                       fine-tuned with each iteration resulting in a sketch which closely reflects the design you had in mind..

                       - Define the type of furniture you are designing ( cabinet, table, dresser)
                       - What size do you want to make the furniture (proportions)
                       - Where will the piece of furniture be located  (style or period of furniture )
  

                       Design Objectives

                       - How will this furniture be used ( function )
                       - What size will you make it ( proportion)
                       - Who will use it ( customize)
                       - Where will it be placed ( location)
                       - What should it look like ( style)
                       - What visual impact should it have
                         (to complement or contrast the surrounding furniture)
                       - Is it to be a focal piece or to blend in with surroundings
                       - Should it enclose (hide) or showcase its contents

                       Design Proportions
 
                       For conventional furniture, consider both function and form in your design

                       - Begin with known, proven design standards ( Golden rule or mean)
                       Research pre-existing pieces of furniture and their respective proportions.

                       - Familiarize yourself with both positive and negative shapes and areas
                        ( both solid and empty areas in a design each form a shape)
                       i.e. area between table legs, negative space around curves

                       - Are the components of the design to be large... or small and fine
                       This does also depend on the style of furniture. Different periods
                       and styles of furniture design were typically characterized by either
                       massive or fine components.

                       - Furniture can be designed to either complement other furniture in the
                       room or alternatively, to contrast with surrounding furniture.
                       Furniture can also be designed around the style of the room decor.

                       - Your furniture design can be based on a previous style or period
                         (Chippendale, Hepplewhite, Federal, Shaker, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Modern)

                       - Design elements from previous styles can be incorporated into your design,
                       not necessarily following the style but simply to utilize some of the elements.
                       (tapered legs, ornate, large components, small or fine components, inlay) 

                       Most of the different periods and styles in the history of furniture are noted below. 

                       Golden Age of Furniture ( 1700-1799) 

                       Late Jacobean 1160 -1680
                       Queene Anne  1702 - 1714

                       Georgian  1714 -1745

                       Chippendale   1749 - 1774 ( Queene Anne cabriole legs, complex , ornate carving)
                       Hepplewhite   1750 - 1790 ( tapered legs, clean lines, fine construction, curved pieces)
                       Sheraton        1790 - 1810

                       Classic Revival

                       Shaker   1784 - 1850
                       Federal   1790- 1825

                       Victorian  1800 - 1850

                       Biedermeier  1800 - 1850
                       Regency       1811 - 1820

                       Art Nouveau   1875 - 1910

                       Arts & Crafts   1876 - 1916 

                       Modern    1920 - Present

                       Bauhaus    1919 - 1933
                       Art Deco    1920 - 1930

                       Contemporary

                       Scandinavian

                       A few modern , well-known furniture makers

                      Sam Maloof          contemporary furniture maker  (California)

                       James Krenov     contemporary furniture maker (Scandinavian influence)

                       Wendell Castle   contemporary furniture maker

                       Jere Osgood       contemporary furniture maker

                       Each of the styles above has been influenced by many factors including the reigning monarchy of the time,
                       renaissance or revivalist style (Greek, Roman architecture influences), the repudiation of the previous style, etc.
                       Sometimes style periods contrasted the previous style, much like fashion today
                       ( the design pendulum swung from ornate back to simplicity and back to ornate). 

                       - Elaborate  ( Gothic, Baroque, Louis, Empire)
                       - Utilitarian  ( Queene Anne, Georgian, Biedermeier)
                       - Contrarian ( Art Nouveau, Shaker, Craftsman, Modern) 

                       Modern style can be defined as a statement against opulence and complexity, a movement towards minimalist furniture. 

                       Certain periods in history also embraced certain woods as follows: 

                       Walnut 1660 - 1720
                       Mahogany 1720 - 1765
                       Satinwood  1765 - 1806
                       Oak   1890 - 1925 
 

                       Keep your furniture design straightforward

                       Ideally you should use a minimum of components and eliminate unnecessary frills. Design with strong but
                       straightforward joinery. Create strong joints which are hidden within the facade of the furniture. This does however
                       depend on the style of furniture. Some styles, typically Arts & Crafts have exposed joinery as part of the design,
                       the joinery of the piece is showcased.

                        You may design decorative accents into furniture ( contrasting woods, subtle design elements, inlay, carvings, details).
                       These design elements can enhance the beauty and appeal of the furniture if performed correctly and are not
                       interpreted as being gaudy or kitsch.

                       Shaker furniture is a good example of a minimum of shapes and components assembled into a simple, straightforward design. 

                       Scandinavian furniture (Danish Modern) has simple lines 

                       - Develop the furniture design in its entirety
                       - Break the design down and incorporate detail into the individual components
                        and groupings of components of the furniture

 

                       The complexity of the furniture design 

                       How much time will be consumed in creating this piece of furniture. Do you have the necessary skills and expertise
                       to undertake the project. Are you sufficiently equipped to undertake the crafting of this furniture design. How large
                       is the furniture, do you have sufficient space to be able to work in. Shop space , tools, education and skills are
                       factors to consider when tackling a furniture design. Alternatively, you can provide yourself a challenge by learning
                       new techniques and processes with a more complex design you have not experienced before.
 

                       The furniture you are designing

                       Is the furniture design adapted from a previous style. You can apply elements from a previous style or period
                       into your design. Resources you might use to derive a furniture design are furniture design books, photos,
                       woodworking publications, woodworking books, etc. 

                       It is perfectly fine to adapt a pre-existing style and design to meet your objectives. Standard styles have been
                       in existence for many generations for good reason, they are both functional and have good form and aesthetics. 
                       These pre-existing styles were fine-tuned to appeal to the masses within their era or period of design.

                       Interestingly, the current furniture period has not yet been defined and can be considered a work in progress.
                       Current furniture is probably best categorized as contemporary furniture until the future, when it might be
                       designated as part of a larger design movement.
 

                       Furniture Proportions 

                       The assembly of all the individual components of your design, with aesthetics, proportion and symmetry all
                       factors which need to be considered. The (height to width to depth) ratio for your furniture design are factors
                       which form the design proportions. You can use existing ratios to scale your furniture design proportions
                       as follows:

                       Coffee Table - 1:3:2
                       Armoire - 3:2:1
                       Dining Table - 2:4:3
                       Curio Cabinet - 2:1:1
                       End Table - 1:2:1

                       Keep in mind that there are standard work surface heights from published ergonomic charts.
                       The height of furniture is to be considered along with the depth of the furniture design.

                       Golden section (rectangle)

                       Pleasing ratios used by master architects, painters, and implemented in furniture design throughout the ages.

                       Golden number or mean is .618 or 5/8:3/8 = .625 
                       Width and Depth = .625 of Height or 1:1.6

                       The golden rectangle is a proportioning guideline for:

                       cabinet doors
                       tabletops
                       front or sides of chest of drawers
                       anything rectangular

                       H= 1.625 therefore W = 1  or   H= 32 if W=20

                       For a Golden carcase maintain the balance of proportions

                       i.e. shell depth = shell height ( h= .625, w=1, d=.625) or
                                                    (h=.625, w=1,d=.375)

                       You can also stack multiple golden carcasses together
 

                       Logical sequence of design

                       Create concept sketches ( use each successive sketch as a basis for a new idea or extract an element
                       of the sketch to be added to design)

                       Sketching is quick and dirty and the ideal medium to transfer your thoughts to paper.

                       The next logical steps are as follows:

                       You can create a rough drawing of the design from the sketch with the major proportions, scale, and elements of the
                       design described.

                       A three-view orthographic drawing ( front, side, top view) follows

                       The isometric projection ( improved 3-D view of piece) is one of the final steps in the design sequence, this includes
                       key measurements. Perspective can also be incorporated into the drawing to better convey the scale and proportions
                       of the piece of furniture.

                       You can go on to create a full scale drawing of the furniture design. This will enable you to have accurate drawings
                       of the individual components of the design for milling of the furniture components.

                       The most important piece of advice 

                       Take your time, learn and enjoy the design process !!

                                            

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