Furniture Design 2

The course is a programme course given during the first semester.

The course is part of the BFA Programme in Wood Oriented Furniture Design, 180 credits (K1MDT).

The course may also be offered as a freestanding course.

The purpose of the course is to deepen the understanding of furniture design and to use the workshop as a tool for investigative work.
The main focus of the course is user-centered, introducing ergonomics and ethnography as tools for defining the user's needs. Sustainability is discussed in relation to the user context.

Students will employ design methods, technical drawings, sketches, models, and mock-ups to present proposals and ideas.

The course examines the communicative aspects of design, such as the relationship between artistic expression and societal context. Both historical and contemporary furniture design will be studied. Visual studies and semiotic methods will be applied to these discussions.

At the end of the course, students investigate organic forms using advanced wood working techniques, and soft and hard wood, upholstery, and metal. Throughout the course, students will reflect on their design process.

In the course, workshop exchanges are carried out where students are introduced to various materials and techniques, while producing objects in the Campus Steneby workshops.

Throughout the semester, students practice taking responsibility for managing a wood workshop to maintain a well-functioning shared work environment, as part of preparation for future professional work. The semester concludes with maintenance and cleaning of the workshop and its premises.

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

• describe how ergonomic principles influence the design and function of furniture
• account for historical and contemporary references in furniture design 
• account for basic theories of semiotics 

Competence and Skills

• present a furniture design proposal for an intended user 
• present a mock-up in scale 1:1 of a furniture design 
• apply ethnographical methods in a user focused design project 
• safely operate advanced wood working machines in the workshop
• practice and demonstrate responsibility in how a workshop and workplace should be continuously cleaned and organised for a well-functioning shared work environment
• produce objects following introductions to workshops for various materials and techniques
• explore organic shapes through investigative work in a wood workshop

Judgement and Approach

• reflect on choices of materials, expression and function in their own and others’ projects.
• compare different approaches of sustainability in a user focused design context 
• discuss communicative aspects of design in relation to artistic expression and societal context.

Project and problem-based teaching, tutoring, lectures, seminars, teamwork, workshops, presentations, skill training and study trips.

The language of instruction is English.

The learning outcomes are examined through

• oral and visual presentations of completed design work
• submission of a reflecting text 
• documentation of their own work 
• oral and visual presentations of a design process and a design proposal in seminars 
• review of the design work of a fellow student 
• oral contributions in seminars 
• workshop maintenance occasions. 

Complementation of an examined student performance may be allowed. The possibility of complementation is assessed on an individual basis and decided by the examiner. Complementation is carried out through the supplementary assignments determined by the examiner and within a specified timeframe.

Absence from examination may be replaced with another form of examination after the examiner's assessment.

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local rules regarding RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

The grading scale comprises: Pass (G) and Fail (U).

Students are given the opportunity to evaluate the course anonymously at the end of the course. The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.

Costs for the student's individual projects are covered by the student.

Additional costs for travel and study visits may apply.