Blake Clotia
Universal Comfort: Redefining Versatility in Furniture for Every Setting
Overview
Blake Clotia is a commercial architectural millwork and casework fabricator. Starting in 1995, master craftsmen and talented furniture designers built incredible one-off interiors, furniture, and woodwork. What made Blake Clotia unique was the ability to design, fabricate, and install projects using a wide range of materials and finishes.
Problem
The owner has entered a new partnership aiming to create high-quality furniture pieces adaptable to multiple environments using just one SKU. They plan to ship the pieces directly to consumers, prioritizing minimal assembly, if any. How might we design furniture that can fit multiple spaces and environments to reduce the number of shapes and sizes necessary to serve all customers?
Solution
Design a cabinet with a tambour roll-out table.
Stakeholders Meeting
We met with Naaman and Jeff, the 2 partners who are in this new partnership. We found that they were very open and receptive to any and all ideas, but determined that they had these parameters:
Quality Standards: Emphasized the importance of high-quality furniture, aiming for heirloom quality rather than mass-produced items akin to Ikea.
Shipping Considerations: Required the ability to ship directly to consumers while keeping shipping costs low, necessitating scalability and reproducibility.
Mobility and Durability: Sought furniture that is easy to move yet durable, with minimal assembly required by consumers.
Adaptability: Desired a single SKU item capable of adapting to diverse sizes and spaces.
My notes from the meeting
Collaborative Idea Generation
As a class, we engaged in group brainstorming to generate individual concepts.
Brainstorming: Generated "How Might We..." statements for addressing challenges.
Research: Referenced existing products that tackled similar issues.
User Journeys: Defined paths and experiences for end users.
Persona
Due to the abundance of potential solutions, I developed a persona to clarify the target audience for my design.
Ideating
Sketching: Each team member generated 20 sketches independently.
Peer Feedback: Discussed ideas with three classmates to gather diverse perspectives and refine concepts.
Crazy 8's: Utilized the "Crazy 8's" technique to rapidly ideate and expand on concepts.
3-Page Solution Sketch: Developed a concise solution sketch spanning three pages to flesh out ONE idea in more detail.
Prototype - Cabinet with extendable table
I created a prototype for a cabinet featuring a tambour-style table that extends out, akin to roll-top desks or bread boxes. It provides versatile dining and entertaining options. Emily, our persona, can store the table within the cabinet when alone, extend it for two-person dining, or fully extend it for hosting larger gatherings. Here’s how it solved the initial challenges:
Quality Standards: I utilized durable white oak to ensure high quality, with the classic tambour style promising longevity for future generations.
Shipping Considerations: I designed the cabinet to ship in one piece or two, offering flexibility for efficient shipping.
Mobility and Durability: I crafted with oak for durability and ease of movement, ideal for relocation to new spaces.
Adaptability: The cabinet offers versatility by fitting into small spaces and featuring an extendable table to accommodate various settings and environments.
Next Steps & Learnings
Pitch Presentation: Each team member had 3 minutes to pitch their idea to the client.
Client Response: We received enthusiastic feedback from the client, indicating interest in our proposals.
Learning Experience: When faced with a wide range of potential solutions, it's crucial to focus and avoid becoming overwhelmed by countless ideas.
Future Plans: Anticipate observing how our think tank session influences the incorporation and utilization of new pieces of furniture that are adaptable to multiple sizes and spaces.
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