To begin my Final Major Project, I carried out a lot of visual research to aid the development and realisation of my project. I mainly used Pinterest to collect secondary images as I find that the images sourced on the website are always high quality and of a creative nature. I also used some primary photographs I had taken that I felt linked to Scandinavian design and Hygge, in the images I looked at how the different colours, textures and shapes could be used in my design process. For example, one of my primary images was a photograph of a lemon drizzle loaf with roses seen in the photo, this yellow/mustard colour would be used later, when developing my projects colour scheme. In my sketchbook I also referred to a photograph that I had taken in Denmark a few years ago, I took inspiration from this because of the direct link to Scandinavian design. Whilst doing this project I also used images from practitioner websites, these images are useful as I know that they are legitimate and have not been edited by a secondary program.
I think my Pinterest research was fundamental in developing my project as it gave me a wide range of ideas to play with and helped me understand the aesthetically pleasing nature of Scandinavian design. I also used Pinterest at the start of my project to choose which room I would be designing as it was between; An office, a café, a domestic space or a garden. The Pinterest images I gathered allowed me to see that the nature of my project would be best suited to an office space.
If I was to develop the project further I would have liked to have more primary visual research in my sketchbook, I think it would have been very useful to have had some primary research of Scandinavian style furniture, interiors, art, architecture, etc. Instead of just having the secondary resources. The primary research that I had did influence slight decisions but I feel as if my project could have benefitted from more specific visual research.
Throughout my project I have always felt that my contextual research was at the heart of my project. My initial basis for choosing to design a Scandinavian style office was that I wanted to understand why Denmark and the rest of Scandinavia are always voted the happiest country, and how Britain could adopt some of their working ways. The first thing I did to investigate this was to buy the books ‘The year of living Danishly: Uncovering the secrets of the world’s happiest country’ Russell (2015) and ‘The little book of Hygge: The Danish way to live well’ Wiking (2016). I first started reading ‘The year of living Danishly’, I found this book to be essential in developing my understanding of the Scandinavian way. I think this book was especially helpful as it showed an outsiders perspective coming into Denmark and living there, this allowed me to see the key differences, especially in the workplace, between Britain and Denmark. After reading a large section of the book my project started to become more focused on Denmark rather than all of Scandinavia. Reflecting on my project I feel as if this book was my most important piece of contextual research. The other book I read was ‘The little book of Hygge’ it was helpful in that it allowed me to fully understand what Hygge was and how it could be used in the workplace. The book has a section called ‘Hygge during office hours’ where Wiking discusses how Hygge could be brought to the workplace, Cake and candles are mentioned as well as having a sofa in an office to make a meeting more relaxed and comfortable. I took this advice and have included a sofa in my office design, along with blankets and lots of cushions. I also added a food bar to the office because, as I have learned from both books, food is a large part of the Danish working day and I felt that it was important to have at the very least a kettle available to workers.
I also have practitioner research throughout my sketchbook which have influenced design choices. For my mood/texture boards I created, I took direct inspiration from David Thulstrup and the way he photographed his texture boards, I tried to make it my own but always keeping his style in my head whilst photographing my work.
Looking back on the project, I think it would have been beneficial to have done some more research about the origins of Scandinavian design, I did write in my sketchbook that the Danish aesthetic had come from the German Bauhaus school, something I had learnt from ‘The year of living Danishly’, however I did not research this further. I also think it would have been useful to research further into statistics about happiness, depression and anxiety in Denmark and in Britain as this is what my project centred on.
I have done a range of different experiment during my final major project including both practical experimentation and theoretical experimentation.
In terms of theoretical experimentation, I have explored a range of different design ideas for example, I drew out lots of different floor plans, door and roof styles to experiment with which ones worked well with one another, I then selected the best option from the different choices. I found this technique useful as it allowed me to see lots of possible alternatives instead of just settling with my first idea, which isn’t always the best idea. It also helped me improve my drawing skill and made me think a bit more freely with my drawing, at first I felt like all drawing in my sketchbook would have to be very neat to reflect the Scandinavian theme, however I think it was important for me to do rough, imperfect drawings to get my ideas on the page and out of my head. I also used Sketch- up to explore my design. The first sketch- up model I created showed my floor plan however the dimensions weren’t correct and I felt as though it did not look very professional as a final sketch- up model, to refine this I experimented with the sketch-up tools and features so that I could create a refined, polished sketch-up model.
Within practical experimentation I used a range of different materials. For example, when making my texture boards I collected and bought a range of different materials that I thought would look good in the office, to represent the blankets I wet felted some wool tops, I think this gave a good textured effect and added depth to the mood boards. I have also experimented with clay and ceramics during the project. I mentioned in my proposal that I wanted to make some mugs to represent Hygge, I started this by making some coil mugs which I thought were quite successful but I would have liked to make more. I also experimented with making mugs on the potter’s wheel however, this was unsuccessful, I didn’t manage to make any mugs whilst on the wheel as I couldn’t get the clay small enough. I only made a few small bowls. Although the mug making wasn’t successful it was useful to get some practice on the potter’s wheel. After the clay had been fired I turned the bowls and then glazed them, I used quite neutral colours so that they would go with the office design. I like how the coiled mugs turned out however, I would have liked to experiment more with the potter’s wheel to make them more refined and aesthetically pleasing.
For my final model, I first did an experimental initial model to make sure that all the dimensions were correct and to check if anything needed changed. I had already decided that I would be making my final model out of laser cut MDF so I made a file on Illustrator of what I thought were the correct dimensions and sent it through to the laser cutter, I then constructed the components using PVA as adhesive, I decided to use PVA as it held the MDF together sufficiently. When my experimental model was constructed there were a few measurements to tweak and some components to add, but most of it was correct. When I sent the second laser cutter file through I made sure to put on extra components on the file so that I wasn’t short of anything, when it was being cut I also made sure that there was a second piece of MDF under it so that I wouldn’t lose any small components like the chair wheels or the computer keyboards.
In my book there is a clear development throughout the project, which is signposted with annotation and highlighter. As mentioned previously ‘The year of living Danishly’ was fundamental in developing my design ideas. When I first thought of the desks I thought It would be quite a simple design however after reading one of the chapters from the book, I learned that most desks in Denmark are fitted with hydraulics so that workers can stand whilst working which has numerous health benefits, I then decided that I would add this to the simple design so that the same health benefits come be applied to my office design. Most of the design choices I made were well thought out and had a reason behind them. I had thought that my office design would be for one person, however after assessing this I realised that I communal office would be much better in making the workers feel part of something rather than in a secluded room, it would also be good for them to speak with co-workers about their work and ideas, this would build friendships and therefore make work less of a chore to go to as it would be like going to see a friend.
There is a large window on one of the sides of the room, I put this in so that the people in the office would not feel enclosed and they would be able to see the weather, it would also allow natural light to flood the room which some make workers more positive. I also developed the design for the entrance to the office, at first I thought it would just be an average wooden door, then I thought of making it a glass door so that it was less heavy for the room, after consideration I decided to have the entrance as an arch, this makes the office more welcoming and invites people in, instead of blocking them out. One of the main things that I developed was the storage unit design, the idea came from a photograph I had taken in Denmark of a building, I wanted to replicate the long straight lines into a bit of furniture. I decided a tall shelf unit with a coat rack on it where workers could hang they’re coats up when they came into the office. I then used the same basic design to make a mug holder, a coffee table and a storage unit, then, later in the project I developed it again to make a shoe rack, it is traditional in Denmark to remove your shoes before entering a house, I thought this could make the office more Hygge and more comfortable and homely for workers.
Laser cutting my model was the best option as It gives an accurate representation of how the office would look on a small scale. Although some of the furniture isn’t exactly how it would look in real life I think that each item is only a representation. I think my final piece has been completed to a high standard and looks professional. When I was painting some of the components white the coating on the MDF was mixing with the paint and turning it a slightly yellow colour, I tried to recoat the MDF however after three layers you could still see the yellowish tinge, this also happened with the PVA in places. If I was to re-do the model I would have selected a MDF with no coating to prevent this as it detracts slightly from the overall finish. “My final model should be the result of the research and development that I will do in my project and should reflect this in a clear and professional way, each component of my model should be carefully constructed with materials available and should be mathematically sound.” This is the quote at the end of mu ‘Project proposal evaluation’, I think that I have successfully met the target I set for myself at the start of this project. The final model is a culmination of all my ideas and development throughout the project and showcases that in a refined way, through the planning in my sketchbook for my illustrator files I have shown that each element of the design has been carefully thought out, and is as mathematically sound as possible whilst still being an artistic interpretation.
If I were to develop the model further I would refine the exterior of the room to make the whole thing look more polished and complete. I would possibly ad the basic walls of other rooms around it, and possibly paint the exterior to look like a building. I could also fill the window in with clear MDF so that it would be a truer representation.
Through my sketchbook I have tried to stick to a Scandinavian theme, keeping my pages clean and minimalistic, rather than collaging and having busy pages, I wanted my sketchbook to not only hold my research and design process, but also reflect the style of my project. I did this well for most of the pages however some, for example the laser cutter pages, aren’t very neat because it was more about quick sketching and working out the math rather than an artistic presentation. I think that my work is clearly presented and easy to understand. As well as my annotation being written in a coherent manner, I have signposted key elements or important notes making it easier to follow.
For the final show I intend to finish the outside of the model so that it looks polished to viewers, I would like to display the model on a clean white plinth to keep it simplistic like Scandinavian design. I would like my final presentation board to be placed above my work along with any other vital pages from my sketchbook that would aid the presentation.
I think this final major project has been a big learning curve and although I have found the experience trying at times I have enjoyed the experience. The lessons I have learnt from this project have been invaluable and it has given me a head start for moving onto higher education. I think that my outcome for this project has been very successful and is a true representation of my initial idea, to introduce the Scandinavian way of life to the British workplace through interior design and Hygge. Whilst doing this project I learned how to plan my time well and to reflect on my work with weekly blogs. I have found that doing the weekly blogs have been very helpful to reflect on what I’ve done and what I need to re-do, etc. I have found time at the end of my week to sit and spend half an hour thinking on what I have achieved.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the two books mentioned previously and will always associate them with my final major project. I am very happy with the model I have produced and I think that the skills I have learned whilst making it will be very important when going to study interior design at university. I also think that this project has made me a more organised, hard working person on the whole, as well as creating time plans, I have learned how to work in a different environment and fitted the project around also working a part time job. In future projects I will look back on my college FMP and remember the lessons and skills I taught myself.
If I were to do this project again, I would spend even more time on contextual research to fully immerse myself in the Scandinavian world, I would also spend more time on sketches to ensure that my intentions are clear. Although there are things I would change about this project I am very happy with my final outcome and I feel that it reflects not only my time spent on this project but my time spent throughout the whole of the course. To conclude, I feel that I can walk away from this project proud of the work that I have produced and a more experienced person for doing this project, I now feel as if I can confidently stride into higher education without any doubts about what I can achieve.
Bethan Roberts FMP. 