Tables

I have been working on different table designs for a while now and have settled for a square top. The table featured in the top image will be used in my portable room as after making the table in the bottom photo, it turned out too large. I prefere the narrower, taller table as it seems more in proportion. The second table may feature outside for my mini installation. The table has been much harder to construct than I first thought. The cardboard has had to be layered together significantly to produce something which strong enough. When glued together, the table becomes very strong carrying over 20 heavy books as a test! By making the base the way I have it means the table can be slotted together, then a think layer of glue attaches the table top. Although I am trying to stray away from too much glue, in this case it really helped reinforce the card. I still have had the slotting together element in place so haven't relied too heavily on glue. Overall, I am pleased with my finished table.

Shelves

Here are my finished shelves which will feature in my portable room. As you can see from the images, the shelves piece together with tabs which then fit into cut out slots. The shelves were quite difficult to make, but referring to my mini model really helped as I could times everything by 6.5 to get the right scale. The shelves require no glue and once all the pieces are perfectly accurate, they slot into each hole quite easily. Overall, I am pleased with how the shelving has turned out as it took so much planning to get right. I have also found some brown tape which helps neaten up all the edges, so I am feel they have a quite professional feel to them. 

Cuckcoo Clock

I have been working for two days on my cuckoo clock which will feature in my room on wheels, and it is finally complete! I have made something really decorative and pretty, yet it still holds that conceptual idea of being made from cardboard. I think at a first glance it may not look like a cardboard clock, especially if it were to be painted. My main reasoning for making a clock is that even when made of cardboard the clock still acts as a useable object. This idea remains very important to me. For instance, I could make bookshelves very easily that looked like shelving, yet they need to have the strength and stability to act as shelving and not just look that way. Hopefully, I will be able to achieve this by testing out different ways of reinforcing cardboard. 

Cardboard Research 2

I visited Hobbycraft to see the range of cardboard items they sold. It was a useful trip as the store had a wide range of products which were exclusively cardboard. I was particularly interested in ways I could try to make these objects myself. So far, I have only experimented with larger furniture pieces and haven't thought too much about accessories. For me to make some of these objects might not be possible as I feel I would have to begin adding different materials other than cardboard which is something I don't really want to do. I liked the cardboard book idea, shown above, yet it was actually a box when opened up which I'm not sure I like. I want my objects to function as they are supposed to and not be disguised as another object. 

Cardboard Research

I have visited Ikea for research into the construction of cardboard. I found it really useful to see a top retail brands way of attaching the card together. I noticed some was stitched, some had slots cut out so it could fit together with no attachments. I also looked at ways of strengthening cardboard and it would seem Ikea often add layers of thick cardboard behind and then have a paper glued on top, this particular box also flat packed which made it ultra portable and mobile. I also liked the box which had draws as I hadn't previously thought about this. It seems like quite an easy thing to make once the shelves are constructed it could slot into place.

Degree Show Floor

My degree show floor is almost complete! As you can see from the photos, the base is easy to dissemble and comes to pieces in panels, the framework also unscrews quickly and efficiently meaning the whole piece can be taken apart in under 10 minutes.

The wheels still need to be added for optimum mobility and a handle on the side, making it easy to pull along if you choose. Once back at university, the walls will be built up around it creating my room on wheels.

Mini Test Furniture

This scaled down version of a book shelf is only about 15cm tall, yet took HOURS to construct! I had to work out exact measurements for the piece to slot together without using any glue. I want the furniture to as much as possible, be pieced together adding to the flat pack idea. I also believe this way, they object can be take apart without ruining it or having to unscrew everything. Lets hope the real, life size version goes to plan. 

Cardboard Table- First Attempt

Here is my first attempt at a cardboard table. I have cut the cardboard base in two pieces which slot together forming a sturdy base. However, for the real thing I think i will have to double up the card on each side to strengthen it even more. I have tried out a pattern on the sides, by cutting into the cardboard a curved shape, yet I am not sure if I like the fussiness of it. The top of the table is round, yet this shape has proven rather difficult to cut as the cardboard is much more stable and neat when creating a square shape. I will experiment with other bases and table tops before deciding on a final piece. Sadly, the cardboard can't be laser cut as it is too thick, meaning every piece will have to be carefully hand cut.

Wallpaper...

After a lengthy amount of time, arm ache and help from my favourite pal (EmmaBROWN) my wallpaper is complete! All 20 metres of it, hurrah. I have repeated my painted pattern onto lining paper to create the wallpaper which will be hung in my portable room. 

Today, somebody pointed out that the wallpaper was interesting as it was black and white, which isn't usually something you see in the home, especially with these cliched objects. I think this is true as the colours aren't warming or inviting like you often see within a home, therefore it helps to reinforce the point. 

Final Design

Here is my final wallpaper design, which will eventually be screen printed onto lining paper, meaning I can alter colour if I choose to. I have chosen the three kitchen items and subtly placed text into three of the items. I am pleased with how it has turned out and like the simplicity of the initial drawings. After editing and using a process of elimination I feel I have made the right choice! Lets hope the wallpaper goes to plan...

Re-working and Incorporating Text

I have been playing around with text and different layout options for my wallpaper. I want the wallpaper to include the text 'home what home?' again s a subtle implication towards what my project has been based on. I like the idea of typing this inside some of the homely objects as it feels quite ironic. These objects would fit in with the moto 'home sweet home', yet by reversing the text in this instance I feel it makes quite a statement.

I have tried switching the objects around seeing what looks best and I don't feel the mirror works in the image. First of all, the others are cliched kitchen items and I also think the shape doesn't fit how I wanted it to. I have learnt a lot in this process, particularly on photoshop, having to edit and re-size the images to fit. I have decided on a final layout which I will post next!

Wallpaper Experiments

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I have began experimenting with wallpaper designs for my final degree show piece. I wanted to create something which wasn't just text, as I had previously done. I thought that by continuing text it might look too busy and might be a bit too overpowering. Instead, I have opted to use objects from around a home reflecting home comfort. These objects, shown above, a teapot, cup and saucer, mirror and doily are all cliched house items which I think adds to the idea of the room on wheels.

These images are my initial paintings which I will then edit to create an appropriate design. 

Wallpaper Decisions

home sweet home home sweet home

home what home? home what home?

home sweet home home sweet home

home what home? home what home?

Can't decide on a font for my wallpaper...

Park Benches

I have also been testing just my cushions on park benches, again as a way to draw attention to the public for those who don't have a home. Three of the cushions say 'Home Sweet Home' and one says 'Home, What Home?' which I think is important for this mini-installation to work. I think that by subtly changing the order of the cushions means that the audience wouldn't necessarily notice the alteration of text.

I am pleased with how my experiments went, but again I think I need to make my cushion text bolder for it to stand out on the photographs. However, if the cushions could stay outside on the bench for just passer-buyers to see then the project has worked, as the work isn't for a good photograph it is to make a point, so hopefully I have done this.

Life on Wheels

I have made a little carpeted piece of MDF on wheels! The idea is a sort of mini installation which can be moved around as and when the person chooses. It can be used to store their items and then can be pulled along or can be used as a place to sit/eat/sleep. Obviously, this all relates back to my 'flat pack/portable home' idea and I thought it would be a good idea to do a smaller scale version as a test run. Also, to check any areas which are of importance to me and will need improvement. I found with this particular test, a handle on on of the ends would have been a good solution to dragging it along, also bigger wheels would have helped this too.

Anyway, yesterday I took my board on wheels on a little tour of where I live to see how it adapted to it's surroundings and how it worked on location. Initially, a park which I think is appropriate as often a bench is a sleeping area for some people. I then tried it outside a stately home, more as an ironic idea than anything else. Each photo, I used the same furniture, including my 'home sweet home' and 'home what home?' cushions just a quick subtle reminder to people what it is I am trying to achieve.

Overall, I am pleased with my results. I would next like to try it in a few more locations and also try furniture such as a table and chairs for eating. I think the text on my cushions could be bolder for these particular shots, so that may be an area I work on next.