This document outlines the assignments for a furniture design studio course focused on Scandinavian design. Students will design and build a full-scale prototype chair over the summer session. The first assignment is a group "mood board" presenting research on Scandinavian furniture precedents. Students will also be evaluated on their individual visual journal documenting observations, sketches, and design process throughout the course.

1. Furniture Design in Scandinavia + Studio
Assignment overview
Summer 2015
AD Faculty • Tina Christensen - Erling Christoffersen
DIS Architecture + Design Summer 2015

2. DIS Architecture + Design Summer 2015
2
An Object for Sitting Made from Wood
Description
The Furniture Design Studio summer session trains you in the full design process of
a piece of furniture - normally a chair - drawing inspiration from its Scandinavian
context and achieves maximum utility with the minimum material.
Students will start with conceptual development and the production of working
drawings, and will end with the building of a full-scale prototype, as well as the
exhibition of their work.
Through this process, students develop their capabilities in:
• Development and refinement of design concepts
• Production of sketches as well as working drawings
• Construction of a full-scale prototype
• Craftsmanship in different materials
• Communication through exhibition and presentation
Assignment
The structure of the furniture will take its cue from a given amount of wood and/
or wood-based materials provided by DIS. Other materials can be included but
additional materials are at the student’s own cost.
The finished piece cannot exceed 80 x 80 x 80 cm. The program for the furniture is
individual, decided by the student and guided by the faculty. It is possible to work
conceptually on a new piece of furniture or to re-interpret a well-known type of
furniture based on students’ individual analysis and design development. No matter
what the starting point is, the furniture must have a visual and structural clarity,
and consequently express the main idea behind the design.
The final presentation of the assignment - the object for sitting - must be
accompanied by presentation boards illustrating the main ideas behind the design
as well as the process and development of the design. Students are furthermore
expected to use their sketchbook / visual journal for design development in order
to ensure process documentation.
Presentation Requirements (board)
• Statement of Intent
• Precedent studies
• Process sketches and diagrams / study models / reference photos
• 1:1 drawing (not mounted on board)
• 3D Illustrations
• Details (models or drawings)
Make sure to argue for the decisions you have made, and show this in your process.
Evaluation Criteria
• Daily work in studio / Design process
• Concept
• Function
• Coherency
• Completeness
• Communication
Evaluation and Grading
20% Design process in studio
20% Workshop process and engagement
60% Final Presentation (chair + board)
Submission Information
Please refer to the studio syllabus and AD Information on BlackBoard for project
submission guidelines and plotting instructions.

3. DIS Architecture + Design Summer 2015
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Scandinavian Furniture Mood Board Assignment
Description
To expedite the individual design process and to assist the student bonding process,
the first week is devoted to a group assignment that will take place concurrently
with students’ individual design concept development.
The aim is, through precedent studies, to develop an understanding of Scandinavian
furniture design and design culture in general, and to inform and ignite students’
individual design process.
Through this process, students develop their capabilities in:
• Researching precedent case studies in informed ways
• Building knowledge based on both historic and contemporary works of design
• Developing critical reflections on the basis of thorough research
• Using research to inform individual design development
• Presenting and communicating findings in strong and visual ways
Assignment
In groups of 3-4, seek out and research Scandinavian furniture design available in
shops, showrooms, museums and public buildings in Copenhagen. Produce a mood
board with photos, sketches, downloaded images, text and reflections that capture
the group’s understanding of Scandinavian furniture design.
A list of precedent sites and places will be shared on Blackboard but research should
not be limited to only these places only. Use the opportunity of a group setting to
expand your horizon of research.
The mood board should be thought of as a type of collage consisting of images, text,
and samples of objects in a composition. Take pictures, collect brochures, discuss
when visiting sites and showrooms, make notes, and sketch, sketch, sketch. Focus on
details, full pieces, elements of other designs that can inform your understanding of
materiality, form, appearance, texture, etc.
The mood board will be presented by the group at the first design concept review
along with 2-3 individual design concepts in sketch form from each group member
(see calendar).
Presentation Requirements (pin up findings on one DIS presentation board)
The Mood Board can contain a multitude of objects/data/findings/imagery. Make
sure it’s constructed and composed it from a wide variety of sources . Make
research findings explicit and make preliminary conclusions as to the nature of
Scandinavian furniture design and design philosophy.
Evaluation Criteria
• Preparation and progress
• Research
• Coherency
• Presentation board
• Delivery and Communication (Presentation)
Evaluation & Grading
The final grade is determined as follows:
20% Scandinavian Furniture Design Mood Board Assignment
(group assignment)
20% Mid Term Exam
50% Visual Journal
10% Participation and performance in class

4. DIS Architecture + Design Summer 2015
4
Visual Journal
Description
Visual Journal teaches the design student how to see beyond the photographic
image. Using a visual journal on a daily basis will develop the individual’s ability to
draw, think critically and analyze in three dimensions and across different scales
The visual journal is a process focussed, experimentally driven design tool which
supplements and aids student learning in conjunction with other courses, study
tours and all other lines of inquiry, both inside and outside the school.
The visual journal is the tool to facilitate understanding and memory. Designers
(both professionals and students) have always carried sketchbooks on their travels
to analyze and document designs and places which make an impression on them
and, in turn, influence their design work.
Students are expected to independently visit, describe and analyze objects from
the study tours, showrooms, museums etc. Entries are to be entered in the Visual
Journal and will be evaluated as part of the course.
Expectations of the students:
Students are encouraged to be experimental and extend their representational
abilities in free hand drawing, at the same time deepening their understandings of
the design issues and problems.
Requirements
As a minimum, each visual journal should include;
• Entries from all of the field studies (clearly identified and labelled).
• Entries from the study tour (clearly identified and labelled).
• Entries from students design projects and lectures.
• Entries from independent, self motivated visual note taking.
Evaluation Criteria
• Completness (Entries from the full scope of the summer course)
• Analysis (Quality of critical and analytical development)
• Technique (Level of craft in the representations)
• Composition
• Development
Evaluation & Grading
The final grade is determined as follows:
20% Scandinavian Furniture Design Mood Board Assignment
(group assignment)
20% Mid Term Exam
50% Visual Journal
10% Participation and performance in class