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Woodwork Junior Cert. Project...

  • 05-11-2008 10:11pm
    #1
    Registered Users Posts: 487 ✭✭


    Well the other day we got our design briefs for our Junior Cert. Woodwork project. I'm doing higher level and we have the choice of 3 projects (ordinary level also have a choice of 3 projects).

    I've chosen to do a stool, which has to be "sturdy and elegant" for use in the home. It should be designed to have a secondary function specific to the area in which it is to be used. We also have to demonstrate how we considered our carbon footprint in the design, so I have to use softwood and use a CFC-free varnish. The other 2 project choices were a lot harder!

    I also have to do a folder which has to contain...
    - An analysis of the selected brief
    - Investigation/research
    - Development of design ideas
    - Sketches, notations, working drawings
    - Manufacture of chosen solution
    - Evaluation of design and project.

    Now, I was wondering if anyone had links to good sites with photos/sketches of stools, as I have to design 8 stools which fit the required description. I was thinking of working around the basic design of this stool?
    lg_UNITY%20STORAGE%20STOOL.jpg
    It's very simple, but I'd choose a nice fabric to cover the stool in like the photo above. It would be sturdy and reasonably elegant (???), and could be suited to the living room, where it could be used as seating, a foot rest and storage???

    All opinions appreciated - Woodwork isn't exactly my best subject!


Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 4,504 ✭✭✭SpitfireIV


    Having recently completed my honors degree in Industrial Design I think I can offer you some info, or help ;)

    Have a look about the internet by all means at stools etc, try not to spot one you like and then copy it, be creative, you'll gain far more from it :).

    You mention that it has to fit a specific room or area of the house. So figure out what thats gonna be, look at what goes on in the room, what type of use the stool would be getting? if any! Would it be funtional or simply ornamental? If it were to be used, how long a day would it be used for? Is comfort over a long period an issue? Is it something that almost 'invites' people to sit in/on it, or does it do the opposite so that they wont stay on it for long?

    Look at a style that you like, contemporary, modern, technic, classical etc etc. These will effective the end result of course. Materials, colors etc, type of wood also will affect the 'style', ie. simple practicle pine to give a homely, tradiational look or clean, straight cut oak or ash to give a modern feel?


    The brief says it should have a secondary use, so think outside the box, perhaps its a stool for a living room that could open, or fold out so that a user can lie out on it if required? Maybe its a stool that could fold out into a small seat?! Storage for books and CD's, you and I both know that everyone is gonna go for that one! :p Perhaps a kitchen stool that acts as an open out steps to reach those high cupboards. I bet someone will have thought of this, lol, but maybe it could be an outdoor stool and used for storing small recyclables? :P


    Lots of questions for you to ponder over there, have fun! :D


  • Registered Users Posts: 487 ✭✭Alibear


    Thanks a million for your reply :)

    The stool would be functional - It could be used as seating, a footrest and storage for miscellaneous items. I intend to use an easy to clean (leather-like?) material and use plenty of stuffing for comfort :p

    I would like to go for something modern, but the brief says it must be elegant? Elegant to me means old-fashioned carved legs etc. but I think something like the photo I posted could be elegant with the right material?

    I must use softwood - I was thinking pine? Seeing as it'll be covered with material anyway the look of the wood shouldn't be too important??? I was thinking of having four modern looking, short blocked legs for the stool (does that make any sense at all? I'm useless at explaining things sorry! :o), possibly with a slight slant around the edges?

    I'd honestly prefer to do something simple but reasonably good instead of doing a more complicated design and messing up :o The brief says it's for use in the home - so I thought that that meant inside the home?

    Will definitely think up of some more ideas though - Thanks for all the help! :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,504 ✭✭✭SpitfireIV


    Alibear wrote: »
    Thanks a million for your reply :)



    I would like to go for something modern, but the brief says it must be elegant? Elegant to me means old-fashioned carved legs etc. but I think something like the photo I posted could be elegant with the right material?

    Glad to help.

    When I think of 'elegance' immediately such design movements as 'art nouveau', perhaps 'Bauhaus' come to mind, a lot of Bauhaus seating and such used stitched leather like those photo's you posted. In fact, a lot of Bauhaus designs, although from the late 20's/30's are still being made today, so although an old style, its still pretty funky :P! You might be able to draw some inspiration for those.

    Have a look at those movements, you wont find stools, but maybe some inspiration :o So not exactly carving and such (if you are using pine you wont be able to do much carving on that) but just the way you piece is finished, material choice etc with suggest the elegance.

    Elegance also suggests lightness, simple, a nice flow, minimal, so perhaps Four heavy block legs wouldnt do it justice, they'd make it appear to be too heavy, as if its tied to the ground, you want it light and airy, almost as if its floating :P


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1 Spork o Death


    hi im also doing the stool as my project. i was just wondering what you have to do for the design brief analysis?:confused::confused::confused:

    PLEASE I NEED HELP!:(


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,504 ✭✭✭SpitfireIV


    hi im also doing the stool as my project. i was just wondering what you have to do for the design brief analysis?:confused::confused::confused:

    PLEASE I NEED HELP!:(

    Design brief analysis, feck I should know that but I'm not really familiar with the term. What I think it is referring to is basically analyse the brief, look at what it is asking you to do (ie design an 'elegent' stool for use in a particular room, environment etc).

    So you have to examine the given brief cleary, list area's you will research and how you will do this, list ways in which you believe you can fulfill the brief.

    i.e. 'In order to fulfill the environmental needs of the given brief I shall :
    - Research sutible environmentaly friendly finishes.
    - Research ways in which I could incorporate recycled materials into the
    design.
    etc etc'


    You are breaking the brief down into lots of smaller questions which you will then answer and in turn help your design evolve.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9 Baby Boots


    i got my design brief yesterday :S iv decided to do number 3 ... 'design and make a FREE STANDING artefact to hold a small number of your favourite books. the artefact should be designed to display personal items that reflect your interest in music and also ALLOW THE TITLES OF YOUR BOKS TO BE EASILY VISABLE. the design should be ELEGANT, IN PROPORTION and be ATTRACTIVE to behold' any ideas?? i have been thinking of doin a small box shaped cabinet with shelves on 1 side and a small cupboard on the other side to keep a CD player in or something ... im not that good at woodwork so it has to be kind of simple but looks good ..... please help .... :confused:
    thanks ... xxx


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2 ocon442


    ya i did the Analysis my brother did his stool project last year so he'll be a help:cool:. basically the analysis is bullet points im doing number.3 and this is one of my points
    Ø[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]I must design & make a freestanding artefact to hold around 10 of my favourite books.

    if thats any help? im just confused on the next point investigation/research
    (im not that good at woodwork:()


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,504 ✭✭✭SpitfireIV


    Hi guys,

    I'll try be of some help to you and just throw out a few ideas that'll maybe get you thinking!

    Ok, so think about when it is that you listen to music,or read a book, I'd imagine for the most part it is when you are relaxing, evening time maybe? and sitting down, maybe lying down. So, an item that stores your CD's/books that is easily accesable whilst sitting/lying would be preferable. It'd be a divil to have to get up everytime you wanted to change a CD!

    Books and CD's say a LOT about people, thats a fact! And you'll find that those whom are proud of there CD/book collection and want to make a statement with them will have them out on show, now, some might have them all neatly arranged, others might have them in a bit of a heap, but even these methods of displaying them say something about the person. So definately the CD's and books should be on show, they should be seen and not hidden away. Its like the cloths we wear, the car we drive or the food we eat, our taste in media says a lot about the person, so I'd try keep this in mind when designing the piece.


    With regard to 'investigation/research' what you have to do there is have a look about and see what other methods of storing/displaying books/cd's are availible on the market. Look up Argos books and other catalouge and see what is on offer, materials used, prices etc. Basically look at everything from shelves to cabinets and show your teacher/marker that you have gone out there and had a look, understood what was avilible and gained some knowledge as to what was required from your item.

    Look at what woods might work best, what colors would suite the piece (if you are going for something relaxing for those whom enjoy evening time reading, perhaps some pastel tones) maybe even a light fitting or some form of illumination? Maybe a light to aid reading, or soft under lighting/LED's to lift the piece off the ground or create a relaxing atmosphere. Look at shapes, curves, styles, as its for storing cd's too(?) look up musical notes and rythem charts, see if you can get any inspiration from them

    If you do all of them above I guarentee you teacher will be well impressed and you'll be well on the way to making a good project!!




    As I mentioned earlier, look at ways that you listen to your music/read, when you do it and for how long, determine if there is something you would like to make this time more comfortable or enjoyable. Perhaps, as mentioned, easier access to your media.

    At this point you shouldnt be thinking about what the product will look like, forget that! Really, do, you might not think it, and its a mistake that many (including myself make) but you have to do your 'investigation/research' first and do that with an open mind. From that you can start getting a better picture of what you will need, it'll give you the bones of the idea around which you can wrap a shape/style. Dont be afraid to go a little 'out there' and step off the beaten path, you'll get just as much, if not more points for something a little wacky that works, than something simple and safe that also works.


    If ye need any more help just shout!! :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9 Baby Boots


    hi ... thats really helpful thanks ..... how would i go about putting ligting in my project?
    we have to have the project ready by the end of April so its not really giving us that much time .... 8 school weeks :S
    Good Luck to every1 else doin their projects :D
    thankz again
    xx


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,504 ✭✭✭SpitfireIV


    Well thats something you'll have to find out for yourself during the 'investigation/research' phase, thats what its all about, getting out there and finding the answers to these questions! :p

    To be honest though, I'm not sure, I'd imagine battery powered LED's would be the way to go rather than a cabled light powered off the mains as that limits where the unit can be placed. Have a look in Halfords or similar car stores, they have LED strip lights, miniture LED spot lights and such, or visit a local electrical supplier and see what advice they can offer. The more investigation you do, the more info you will have to fill up your folder!!


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2 ocon442


    am ya id say the more research the better the actual make itself cause just been asked der if you had ur wood in front of u cud u actually make ur design so lik...its really hard:eek: .

    light tingy sounds fairly cool :D ammm....r teacher has been saying like there'll be 100dreds will be doing the normal square shape so im just gona try mix it up u know in that sense but u dont want to be going mental like cause u'll just find it to hard were only young lik wit no experience so im just trying to keep it simple but cool u no!!!


  • Registered Users Posts: 13 Lefty800


    hi
    i am also the doing the bookshelf

    im stuck with ideas for a spider diagram any ideas ?


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,504 ✭✭✭SpitfireIV


    Lefty800 wrote: »
    hi
    i am also the doing the bookshelf

    im stuck with ideas for a spider diagram any ideas ?


    Get yourself a page, the bigger the better (I know you might want an A4 size one to fit in your brief, but thats too small. Get a marker and lay the sheet out on the ground/table.

    In the centre write down what it is you want to make ie 'an elegant bookshelf to display books' now, draw lines coming off that and write down words associated with that object, ie 'books' 'storage' 'elegant' off 'books' draw some more lines and put down words associated with books, ie 'hardback' 'softback' 'novels' etc etc. Off 'storage' draw another line and put down words like 'shelves', 'racks' 'cubbyholes' etc etc.

    I hope that makes sense, I did up a quick example, see below. Basically you are just writing down lots of words associated with the project, then writing down words again associated with the words you have just wrote down, hence the reason why you need lots of space!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1 beech09


    im doin the bookshelf aswell. i cant think of any designs and i dont want to do the common designs everyone else is doin. instead of just displayin cds i want something unquie that will stand out from the crowd but nothins coming to mr. please help!!!!!!!


  • Registered Users Posts: 13 Lefty800


    hi

    sory i dont mean to be rude but i know what a spider diagram is

    im just getting stuck with words

    i cant think of anything to put down


    were in diff schools so it doesnt matter so my friend is doing a normal cabinet with doors

    then shelves in side

    then in the doors cutting out musical notes

    hope it helps


  • Registered Users Posts: 11 CiaranMac11


    Baby Boots wrote: »
    i got my design brief yesterday :S iv decided to do number 3 ... 'design and make a FREE STANDING artefact to hold a small number of your favourite books. the artefact should be designed to display personal items that reflect your interest in music and also ALLOW THE TITLES OF YOUR BOKS TO BE EASILY VISABLE. the design should be ELEGANT, IN PROPORTION and be ATTRACTIVE to behold' any ideas?? i have been thinking of doin a small box shaped cabinet with shelves on 1 side and a small cupboard on the other side to keep a CD player in or something ... im not that good at woodwork so it has to be kind of simple but looks good ..... please help .... :confused:
    thanks ... xxx
    ''me too and our teacher is a bit of a knob so he basically hasnt showed us examples etc.. so has left us with nowhere to start!!!


  • Registered Users Posts: 963 ✭✭✭heffo500


    I did my jc in 2008 and this is what I made. Got an A


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9 Baby Boots


    all your help and ideas have been brilliant :D..... iv pretty much finished the project now .... iv got all the edges smoothed and rounded etc ,,,, all screwed and glued together :o .... im goin to be spending the next practical class sanding it all:eek: .... what wud be the preferences tho : coloured varnish or staining it then clear varnish/gloss ????? :cool:
    thanks and i look forward to hearin from ya :P


  • Registered Users Posts: 35 flagship60


    hi i'm doing my junior cert project folder now and i chose brief number 2 which was :[FONT=TimesNewRoman,Bold]
    In an effort to raise awareness of the importance of forests and biodiversity, the United
    Nations has dedicated 2011 as the International Year of Forests.
    [/FONT]
    Design and make an artefact which celebrates the importance of forests in maintaining
    biodiversity and in preserving the world’s fragile resources. The design should reflect the
    interdependence of all life forms on earth. The finished artefact should be inspirational and
    elegant in its setting.

    i need help with my folder as i don't really understand what goes in each section
    the sections are: 1 analysis of chosen brief
    2 research and investigation
    3 design ideas/ sketches of solution
    4 working drawings of solution
    5 project realisation and finishing
    6 evaluation
    if anyone has any ideas it would be very helpfull thanks.:)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1 padraiglennon


    hi i am doing the same project and i am having some trouble whit the analysis of brief. i was just wondering if anyone could help. thanks :)


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  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 5,218 Mod ✭✭✭✭slowburner


    flagship60 wrote: »
    hi i'm doing my junior cert project folder now and i chose brief number 2 which was :[FONT=TimesNewRoman,Bold]
    In an effort to raise awareness of the importance of forests and biodiversity, the United
    Nations has dedicated 2011 as the International Year of Forests.
    [/FONT]
    Design and make an artefact which celebrates the importance of forests in maintaining
    biodiversity and in preserving the world’s fragile resources. The design should reflect the
    interdependence of all life forms on earth. The finished artefact should be inspirational and
    elegant in its setting.

    i need help with my folder as i don't really understand what goes in each section
    the sections are: 1 analysis of chosen brief
    2 research and investigation
    3 design ideas/ sketches of solution
    4 working drawings of solution
    5 project realisation and finishing
    6 evaluation
    if anyone has any ideas it would be very helpfull thanks.:)
    hi i am doing the same project and i am having some trouble whit the analysis of brief. i was just wondering if anyone could help. thanks :)
    I'm not familiar with the junior cert curriculum but I will try to help you with analysis of the brief.
    Most importantly, I don't know if you are given timber or if you are free to source it yourself.
    The brief is difficult enough.I hope others will help too :)
    It always helps with these things to break down the brief into sections.
    ...make an artefact which celebrates the importance of forests in maintaining, biodiversity and in preserving the world's fragile resources
    You should probably use wood which comes from a certified, renewable source. You could use a selection of timber from sustainable sources around the world to demonstrate diversity. Or perhaps you could use reclaimed timber - that might be interesting
    The design should reflect the interdependence of all life forms on earth
    This is the hardest bit. You probably need something circular to represent the earth and something to link various parts of it to represent interdependence.
    Perhaps a side table might fit the bill. You could make the top in three or four sections from different timbers with a leg from each section joined to another?

    If the artefact is well made and designed it will...
    be inspirational and elegant in its setting.
    I hope this helps but it if it is way off the mark, at least by knowing where it is off, it might help you to think about what might be right for your project.


  • Registered Users Posts: 35 flagship60


    thanks for your help:)

    lots to think about


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