Evaluating Design Elements & Principles

            On the very first day of interior design at Texas Tech University, Dr. Collier explains design elements and principles to the new students. I remember thinking “Well duh, can we get to the good stuff already?” Little did I know that I would, and will forever, continue to go back to those lists. Design Elements: space, line, color, shape, texture, form, and value. Design Principles: Unity, Emphasis, Balance, Scale, Rhythm, Variety, and Harmony. The more designing I do, the more I have to go back to these words to maintain “good” work.

            This particular picture was taken in Dallas, Texas during the showroom tour. What immediately grabbed my attention was the massive art on the wall; but look into this photo deeper, and you can clearly see the elements and principles of design shown. The spacing of the wall art creates horizontal and vertical lines. Depth is also shown in the wall art with use of the deep bowl-like carvings into thick cubes. This also creates contrast because of the light and dark colors used. Not to mention that each cube repeated creates a rhythm that follows down to the couch.

            When the eye is finally brought down to the couch area, elements and principles are continued. The couch cushions continue the display of horizontal and vertical lines. The arrangement of the pillows brings even more rhythm to the space. The shape of the sectional sofa creates a feeling of symmetry when combined with the pillow arrangement and the wall art. The tray and book on the ottoman offset the symmetry but it is still very prevalent.

            I’d encourage anyone looking to design a room, or even just creating a furniture arrangement to read over the list of design elements and principles. “Good” design, or any work for that matter, fades when we forget the basics. This is as close to a cheat sheet that we are ever going to get! 

Unusual Materials

A large part of being creative is having the ability to turn an old object into something new. There are no limits to what a designer can do with unusual materials. Designers can do anything from restoring an old piece of furniture simply to make it usable again, or creating a whole new piece of furniture out of an object one would never associate with furniture… like a bathtub.

Max McMurdo is a designer in the UK who has made a completely new couch out of a reused bathtub. He was able to cut a freestanding bathtub in half horizontally, add some cushion material, and call it a couch. This is a full functioning couch with armrests, and even a soft spot to lay your head as if you were actually in a bathtub. All we ask is that you keep your clothes on when using this couch in public.

This isn’t the only creative piece done by Max McMurdo. He also has a chair included in this same line that he has made out of an old shopping cart. Like I said before, the possibilities are endless. Here is what Kate Andrews, an expert on green furniture, had to say about McMurdo’s work:

“Bathtubs are places for relaxation, and here’s a new interpretation- turn your tub into a sofa! This clever design by Max McMurdo breathes life into an antique fixture, and turns what was headed for landfill into a smart, provocative, and comfy conversation starter. Founded by UK product designer Max McMurdo, Reestore is a line of green products based on the recycling of old home products. Taking everyday waste objects and turning them into charming yet functional pieces of furniture and accessories, Reestore attempts to “avoid traditional eco materials in favor of contemporary finishes, fabrics, and, above all, style” (Reestore.com).

This should remind us to think twice before throwing something to the curb. Instead, let the creative juices flow, and find out what cool new piece you could create out of it instead. Save the environment while bragging to your friends about that funky couch you have that they can’t find in stores. 

Resource: www.reestore.com

Texas Tech's Learning Lunch & Design Expo 2011

               It is always a treat to attend Texas Tech University’s Design Expo. This was my second year to go to the Expo, but my first time attending the Learning Lunch. These are excellent events for interior design students because it allows them a chance to meet many different experts and vendors in a short amount of time. This is one of the only times that employers from the “real world” come to see the students instead of the student seeking them. Not to mention, it is a good excuse for skipping class, getting to dress up, receiving a free lunch, and to be given many designer goodies.

            The Learning Lunch speaker was fantastic! His name is Bryan Graham and he is a former interior designer who now works as a furniture designer for Knoll.  I was especially interested in what he had to say because for weeks now, I had been working with Knoll furniture for an Interiors III project designing an office. Because of this, I was already familiar with some of his style and some of his work. I don’t often think of how the furniture is made, only how pretty or comfortable the piece is.  His stories gave me a whole new insight of the furniture building process.

            Next was the Design Expo; the main event where vendors line the walls will their samples, brochures, and gifts to coax design students over to their booth. It works. In fact, I now have multiple bags of magazines and samples from these types of events. There were many good vendors this year, but my favorite by far was a company I had never heard of before. This is a man who brings all sorts of technology into places you didn’t even know you needed it in. His most amazing projects include placing a touch-screen monitor into the table at a restaurant allowing the customer to interact with the kitchen. This way the customer can order their own meals and tell the chef exactly what they want. The technology doesn’t stop there. Say there is a movie theatre right around the corner from the restaurant. The two companies can make a deal where the customers are able to browse movie times and even purchase tickets from the table. The possibilities are endless to what this man can do.

            There were many other great vendors at the expo that I look forward to working with in the future. This is a great event that keeps everyone up to date with what is going on in the design world today. Plus, the food is amazing!   

Upholstery Analysis

             Throughout the Human Science building of Texas Tech University there are lounge areas for students. These areas give students a place to take a break from the classroom atmosphere and sit down next to one another in a social, relaxing setting. This lounge area in particular is filled with upholstered couches and chairs.

The fabric chosen to upholster the couches and chairs in this room is faux leather. Also known as “pleather”. Pleather is very durable and easy to clean. It is water resistant, meaning that Starbucks cups are welcome in this area (a very important function of student furniture). This is also a cost effective choice, however designers must be carful on the amount of “faux” fabric in a room because there is a risk of it looking cheap. Most people know the difference between leather and pleather, and this particular use of black and red screams “Our budget could not accommodate real leather!”

Black and red completely clash with the nature of this building. It is not pleasing to the eye to find a bold black and red (Wreck’em!) next to warm brown tones. However, these upholstered pieces stand a chance with aesthetics because of their silver (chrome-like) base.  This material continues to the base of the surrounding tables to give the pleather some contrast, and it looks good.  There are a few things that should be changed aesthetically to the upholstery of the seating in this space, but if we are only focused on function and durability, this choice of faux leather wins.