GELDERLAND
And there I went; following along in the enthusiasm of a new project. Bart Vos just had a meeting with Gelderland, a furniture brand which mainly focusses on couches. During this meeting the idea of the 10 000 Van Doesburg surfaced, which Bart Vos designed for the company Gelderland.This design has been inspired by the shapes and the linework of the artist Theo van Doesburg, founder of De Stijl. The new project focussed on designing a side table to complement the functional and playful character of the couch and with a wink at Theo van Doesburg.For me the challenge to look at Bart’s sketches and research the design, the material, user friendliness and the size.
In collaboration with Bart Vos, ontwerpstudio Groningen.
Project
Internship
Product
Side table
Year
2020
The first step was looking at and measuring the couch. What are the opportunities this couch has to offer? A big advantage of the couch is the cubic shape and its many flat surfaces with straight angles. Meaning that the side table would be able to function properly with the use of as little materials possible.
Because the couch is modular and thus can take different shapes and sizes it is important to look at positioning. The user must not obstruct other people while using the side table. Ideally both parties will be able to use the side table together, sharing a drink for example.
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To determine the sizes of the side table I didn’t look just at the sizes of the couch but also to human ergonomics. I researched the average arm length and how the arm is placed on the armrest of the couch, the user has to be able to lay down their arm without the side table’s interference.
However, there has to be enough space on the side table to place a plate or wineglass with snack tray.
![DOC_Merel verslag_19012021013[8182].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fc6e27_113723c7eeb74d87997d571bb580f043~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_249,w_9935,h_6759/fill/w_600,h_408,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/DOC_Merel%20verslag_19012021013%5B8182%5D.jpg)
Next to the study on sizing I also focussed on design. During the briefing it soon became clear in which direction we would follow up. This because the side table, just like the couch, would use Theo van Doesburg as inspirational source.
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The design started with the research for characteristics of Theo van Doesburg’s work, also known as De Stijl. Theo van Doesburg was part of the modern art movement De Stijl which focussed on minimal use of colour, a unrecognisable structure and a simple as possible design, preferably with the use of the orthogonal system.
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During the sketching and technical drawing phase, ​we had to choose the material used. Keeping in mind that one of the characteristics of De Stijl is unrecognizability, for me wood was a no go.
We decided that glass and sheet steel would be two beautiful materials fitting the characteristics. Our end decision fell on sheet steel because of its flexibility.
Because of my own prior knowledge of sheet steel, the step to prototyping was easily made.
After the first sketches, which we absolutely adored, I started prototyping to get a better feeling of the design. In this way we could use it on a couch and discover new points of improvement.
From the two prototypes we made, we chose one to continue our journey with. This one was brought to a paint shop for the finishing touches in order for us to be able to make some unique presentational pictures. I made the pictures in the photo studio of Vos. A great experience to be able to make a product as good as sales ready.
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