| CLICK HERE FOR INDEX PAGE |
| |
| THE POLYPROP CHAIR - DESIGN EXAMINATION QUESTION |
| V.Ryan © 2015 |
| |
| PDF FILE - CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE WORKSHEET |
| |
| 1. Why is Robin Day regarded as an influential designer ? |
| |
| Robin Day (1915-2010), was an innovative furniture designer, best known for his Polyprop Chair in 1963, although this was not his only recognised design. In 1950, Robin Day designed the Hillestak chair, a stylish moulded plywood and beech stackable chair. It also broke away from traditional designs of the time, with minimal use of materials, following modernist design principles. This was also seen in his 1951 Lounge Chair, as displayed at the Festival of Britain. He inspired other designers, through his pursuit of modernist ideals, combined with an understanding the needs of potential customers. He used ‘modern’ materials in an innovative way. |
| |
| 1. Write a specification for a coffee table, designed in the style of the Polyprop chair. |
| |
The coffee table will be designed in the style of Robin Day’s Polyprop Chair. It will be modernist in style.
It will be manufactured from modernist materials, such as tubular steel and polypropylene.
The coffee table will be stable as well as being aesthetically pleasing.
The top / table surface, will be easy to ‘wipe’ clean.
The table will be stackable. |
| |
|
|
| |
| 2. Draw / sketch a range of initial ideas for the coffee table. Your ideas must meet the specification you have written. |
| |
| IDEA 1 |
| |
This table has a polypropylene top and tubular steel legs, the same materials as the Polyprop Chair. It is lightweight and has slots for handles. It can be moved with ease. The table is stable and difficult to knock over. The polypropylene is easy to wipe clean and is available in a range of colours.
|
| |
 |
| |
|
|
| |
| IDEA 2 |
Polypropylene is used to manufacture the table top. The ‘ends’ are curved upwards, which is both a design feature and has two practical applications. The first is that the table can be lifted easily, as the ‘hand’ slots are ergonomically positioned. The second is that the table can be used as a seat / stool and the ends prevent the user sliding off the surface.
The steel legs are in the same style as the Ployprop Chair. The entire table is lightweight and easy to lift. |
| |
 |
| |
|
|
| |
| IDEA 3 |
| |
 |
| |
| CLICK HERE FOR PRODUCT DESIGN INDEX PAGE |
| |
| |
|
| |
|