Class Projects – Studio Furniture Design I and II
STUDIO FURNITURE DESIGN I
This course presents a survey of the history of furniture,
with an emphasis on design elements applicable to the cre-
ation of contemporary works.
The course begins with the ancient record, examining the
cultural history of the Greeks and Romans, through Medieval,
Renaissance, and Baroque. Special attention will be paid to
the development and identification of the English, French,
and American periods and styles, as well as an examination
of the 19th and 20th century innovations that continue to in-
fluence contemporary designs.
We will examine the structure of important pieces, including
the joinery, the uses of ornament, the development of con-
tours and lines, the uses of materials and technology, and
how all of these change as tastes and techniques evolve.
Finally, we will explore current trends in design, from
Memphis to the contemporary crafts market and studio fur-
niture movement. We will view the works of the leading fig-
ures in America and abroad, and will discuss the problems
and possibilities that confront the designer and craftsperson
working in the 21st century.