November

This is a photo of the Ottoman that I completed. The drawing of the object in a CAD programme helped visualise the end result. The joints are mortise and tennon, and I thought that they would be easier to create than the reality of the situation. However I am happy with the level of effort that I put into it, and it is a good quality ottoman that will last a long time.

November

In the past few days I have been learning to use a new computer aided design program that I down loaded from the internet. It is Google Sketchup, and it is a simple, and easy to use tool that can allow me to visually create a design before it becomes 3D.

This is a picture of what I am currently creating, an ottoman made from pine wood, with an orange upholstered top and chrome metal castors. It is a basic design, but it allows me to work on developing my skills with tools. I have utilised mortise and tennon joints for the construction of the base, hopefully making it strong enough for the weight of two people. It is a good project to fill in time now before the end of the year, when I can think about new projects for 2009.

October

This month I have continued renovating the house, with the photo showing the latest area to be completed. The walls have been painted to a high standard, and the windows have been restored to their original condition. The table is the work of another person, but I restored it and repainted it in a white wash finish.

The two chairs are part of a continued restoration of over 30 chairs. These two have rimu seat bases as opposed to the upholstered seats of another 24 chairs. They are not yet finished. The small table is comprised of two chair bases and a recycled rimu top. The rimu came from a dismantled storage unit. The terracotta planters are the result of a minimal effort in reconstructing the broken pieces with masonary silicon, while the abandoned plants have grown substantially since I replanted them. More soon.

August

These patchwork cushions are part of an exploration into a variety of issues. The pattern on the english pure cotton reminds me of an immitation woodgrain finish. It was too large for an upholstery project, so I have broken it down, just like a sheet of veneer. I have collected scraps to assemble together, while foregoing the grain matching that could form an interesting pattern.

The idea of recycling is more prevalent in my design projects now, as I can include many pre-manufactured elements in one form, and not make more items that can be unnecessary. This can also save on costs and time, and it makes me feel better that I am not adding more items to the growing mountain of waste that is growing in New Zealand.

The strong lines that usually appear in my personal designs are represented in these cushions as segmented elements of a series of lines. They could imply the dynamic speed lines that are not visually present in other similar designs, such as the lightweight tables of last year. What I am more concerned with recently is finding a series of connecting elements and ideas, so I can produce a defined aesthetic that forms my signature style.

July

This month I have been considering the re-using of old discarded objects in new contexts. I have found that if I focused on one or two colours, in the sourcing of objects, then the task would be easy and not overwhelming. So I refurbished old cafe chairs with orange pleather, found in an emporium. I have given a metal storage case for an electric drill a new life as a storage case for drawing and light tools. In a similar way I have used old kitchen storage containers from OP shops as storage for small transient items, like medications. Lastly I have recycled old discarded fabric into cushion covers, more as an exercise in upholstery than decor items.

April

52 Chairs

This month I bought 52 chairs from an internet site. Currently I am finalising plans to use these chairs. I have made a tower from 16 chairs that have minor broken faults to the frames. This tower relates back to the tower of tables that I made back in 2006, and to the theme of multiples in my productions last year.

They are a formal contrast to my angular aerodynamic aesthetics that I used last year, but in other ways the design of the chairs works well. The spartan frame implies a light-weight quality, with minimal steel necessary for the function of the chairs. But the black, heavy steel contrasts to the light weight nature of the tables I have produced. I will work on redesigning elements of the chairs.

I bought the chairs partly for one purpose, that is for my own use. But I only need up to 18. Another 6 have gone to my parents, and the rest I do not know. I may need to design a table for sale with these left-over chairs.

Labyrinth

The Unitec graduates show 2007 was better than the year before. The designers collective that I am a part of, Suite 6, put on the best display of all pathways. We worked together as a group to put on a display that was talked about for weeks after the show. The Suite 6 catalogue was put together by hand and was worth the effort.