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Specialty

Furniture design

Designs furniture: objects that support the body and things, organize space, and must be easy to make, assemble and keep for years.

In Spanish
Diseño de mobiliario
Origin
An age-old craft; reference handbook by Postell (2nd ed., 2012)

What problem it addresses

A piece of furniture is used daily and for years: if it is uncomfortable, fragile or hard to assemble, you notice it every day.

Principles

  • The body

    Measurements and postures of whoever sits, leans or stores things.

  • The material

    Each material calls for its own way of joining and making.

  • The space

    A piece of furniture also organizes the room it is in.

Applications in design

  • Use it like this

    Test the piece at full scale with your body, not just on screen.

  • Avoid

    Choosing the form before knowing what material and joints it will use.

  • Don’t fall for it

    Think about shipping and assembly: they are part of the furniture too.

Authors and works

  1. 2012

    Jim Postell

    Gathered the history, theory and making of furniture design in a handbook.

Sources

Secondary sources

  • Postell, J. (2012). Furniture design (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons.

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