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In the vibrant landscape of childhood, every environment is a potential playground. Couch cushions and blankets become cavernous pillow forts, tables and chairs transform into complex obstacle courses, and the floors morph into vast lava flows. Play is a fundamental part of our human experience, particularly as we grow up. It helps to shape our identities, build confidence, and establish critical peer negotiation, and problem-solving skills. As we age however, play becomes less intuitive as our imaginations become less vibrant and our behavior is increasingly shaped by societal norms and responsibilities. In this studio, students will consider the landscape of play within the context of furniture design. Each student group will design a furniture piece that facilitates a playful experience between a child and an adult care-taker.
A secondary consideration within this studio is the unsustainable reality of children’s furniture. Much of this furniture is quickly outgrown by its intended audience within a few years, yet its material components will far outlive this timeframe. Through the integration of innovative design strategies, students will reimagine the design, production, user experience, and ultimately, the full life-span of the furniture they design.
Additional studio activities will explore such topics as wood joinery and shaping techniques, design research methods with real-world users, integration of digital fabrication methods, designing for load-bearing structures, and play testing.