16 Questions
Ludwig Mies Van Derrohe is credited with the quote 'a chair is a very difficult object, a skyscraper is almost easier'
True
A chair is used for only one purpose, which is to rest
False
Theory in design is only concerned with aesthetic matters
False
The three interrelated terms in architectural theories are beauty, functionality, and sustainability
False
Sitting is healthier than standing according to research
False
A chair is an extension of the user, and different users have identical sitting habits
False
Theory in design is static and does not change over time
False
Firmness in architectural theories refers to the aesthetic appeal of a design
False
Firmness in furniture design refers to the aesthetics and semantics of built-form.
False
Anthropometrics is the study of how people communicate in and through space.
False
Ergonomics focuses on the spatial relationships among the components and between the parts and the whole.
False
Commodity in furniture design is determined by the quality of materials and workmanship.
False
Posture is a concept that reveals static body movement when sitting, standing, or walking.
False
Delight in furniture design refers to the structural integrity and tectonic composition of furniture.
False
Proxemics is the study of the physical integrity of furniture.
False
The spatial relationships among the components and between the parts and the whole affect the commodity of furniture.
False
Study Notes
Theory in Furniture Design
- A theory is a set of statements or principles devised to explain a group of facts or phenomena, guiding action or assisting comprehension or judgment.
Challenges of Designing a Chair
- A chair is a difficult object to design due to the unique characteristics of each user and the various purposes it serves.
- Chairs are multifunctional, intended for activities such as rest, work, writing, reading, and talking.
- Sitting is inherently challenging to one's wellbeing, and research suggests that standing is healthier than sitting.
Parameters of Good Design
- Inquiry directs discussions of furniture design towards functional (commodity), technical (firmness), and aesthetic matters (delight).
- These parameters, established through theory, change over time and provide knowledge for good design.
The Three Interrelated Terms
- Firmness: structural integrity, materials utilized, joinery, and tectonic composition.
- Commodity (utilities): use and experience, performance, comfort, and how furniture functions and feels.
- Delight: form, spatial organization, and aesthetics, including how furniture looks, fits within space, and expresses meaning.
Theories of Furniture Design
- Consider the composition of parts, function, and meaning of built-form.
- Firmness refers to the structural integrity and tectonic composition of furniture, dependent on fabrication techniques, material quality, and spatial relationships.
Commodity and Ergonomics
- Commodity is determined by how well furniture functions and feels, including comfort, ergonomics, and social use.
- Anthropometrics: the science of determining anatomical measurements and understanding human physiology.
- Ergonomics: the study of work and how work is done, seeking a healthy fit between task, human body, and designed product.
Posture, Proxemics, and Delight
- Posture: continuous body movement when sitting, standing, or walking, expressing social spatial communication driven by cultural norms and physiological factors.
- Proxemics: the study of how people communicate in and through space, linking human behavior with social, cultural, spatial, and geographic contexts.
- Delight: a personal reaction to physical or visual stimuli, revealed by sensation through the tactile nature of furniture.
Explore the basics of furniture design, including the importance of theory and the challenges of designing a functional chair.
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