Bán Side Table Project
In this project I explored the connection between music and fine furniture..
My design philosophy at work
As mentioned in the "About Colin" section of my website I address what my design philosophy is. Simply put, I believe that making a personal connection with a piece creates the best results. I connected with this piece through music. I went on a long path of trying to find inspiration and in the end it was something that has been apart of my life for years. Music has been very good to me and in college I was fortunate to gain work experience in Lowden Guitars (where I now work). Where I was working on some of the best guitars in the world and learning from the best in the word. This experience developed me as a fine woodworker but also developed my understanding of wood and exotic wood species.
My goal from the beginning (once I choose music as my connection) was to steer clear of functional musical furniture (furniture to aid players) and also to stay clear of the interesting but unappealing to most, which is furniture created by instruments. ie a table that is a drum.
I wanted to create a piece of fine furniture that anybody who appreciated design may be interested in yet have the construction and aesthetics influenced by music.
With my interest being in guitars and having gone on work placement to a guitar manufacturers, I was bound to edge towards guitars as my influence.
I tended to overload the design with elements of guitar making at the beginning but refined as I progresses. I realised that you can bring elements from music into the piece in an emotional way and through symbolism.
The final design has shaped legs influenced by the neck of a guitar and the joint from the leg to the top is similar to a neck to body joint in a guitar. The finish is a white oil, this is to create a natural look and feel to the piece, this natural look and feel symbolizes how music can be natural and pure. The finish also allows a textured finish, this gives a sense of feeling, this physical feeling represents the emotional feeling music can bring to us and our lives.
I would never expect anybody to make these direct connections with the piece as they are so scuttle and that was my aim. I never wanted to make it look musical but instead allow the musical connection help me produce my best work that draws users from every walk of live, musical or not.
I consider this to be a beautiful piece for everyday use for everyday people.