Stolen – en designpedagogisk undersökning om det konstruerande sittandet.The Chair - A design pedagogical study on the construction of sittingExamensarbetets frågeställning är: Går det att tänka utanför stolens ramar om man själv får bygga en efter sitt eget sittande? Syftet med studien har varit att genom designpedagogiska metoder undersöka ”sittande” och vilka tankar som finns kring sittande. Samt se till hur stolen är medskapare av genus och normer i samhället.Undersökningen gjordes tillsammans med sex deltagare som alla fick bygga en stol utifrån sin egen kropp. Dessa stolar kom sedan att användas som del i gestaltningen för att påvisa att ingen kropp passar in i normen för hur standardstolar ser ut i dag. I resultat och tolkning diskuteras hur människor är ”intvingade” i strukturer av sittande i olika miljöer trots att människans naturliga plats egentligen inte är sittandes på en stol.Examensarbetets gestaltade del bestod dels av de sex stolarna från undersökningen dels egengjorda stolar av mig. Jag tillförde även andra element under processen av byggandet för att förstärka bilden av en klassrumsmiljö där ingen stol skulle vara den andra lik om eleven själv fick bygga.

Submitted in full requirement for the Degree Masters in Technology: Marketing, Technikon Natal, 2000. / It has been largely accepted that Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) are principal driving forces in economic development (UN-ECE, 1999; Istomina, 1998; Lalkaka, 1996). However, many small, medium and micro enterprises are constrained by an array of problems such as a lack of access to finance, training services and physical infrastructure. Also, small, medium and micro enterprises are forced to operate in highly competitive environments and transition economies and this limits the ability of small, medium and micro enterprises and even large organisations to operate successfully and efficiently. Consequently, a strategy focused on inter-firm linkages and collaboration could alleviate the problems faced by small, medium and micro enterprises. Research indicates that inter-firm linkages or clustering can lead to the emergence of collective efficiency, which facilitates the industrialisation of SMMEs and has the potential of contributing to economic development (Schmitz, 1995). A cluster would involve interaction between enterprises or networks of enterprises that produce identical or similar products. These linkages create 'collective efficiency' which is critical in sustaining a competitive edge. The ability of small, medium and micro enterprises to maintain this competitive edge will ensure greater success and opportunities for specialisation and differantion. / M

This dissertation uncovers three previously unrecognized innovations of Thomas Jeckyll in the Peacock Room. At the same time, the dissertation admits that sometimes James McNeill Whistler chose a more conventional path in the design of the room than previously acknowledged. The dissertation illuminates the often overlooked principle of Classical Decor, first described in the first century BC by Vitruvius, and analyzes how it was instituted in the Peacock Room. Four major points illustrate this conclusion. First, the meaning of the sunflower in the West is explored to account for the flower’s popularity and absorption into ancient heliotropic lore. Thomas Moore’s poetry may have inspired Aesthetic Movement designers such as Jeckyll to use the motif. Second, this dissertation demonstrates that the Peacock Room is only a distant descendant of the traditional European porcelain chamber. It was a new idea to turn the porcelain chamber into a dining room. Further, the room lacks two of the three key features of a porcelain room: lacquer panels and large plate-glass mirrors. When Whistler made the surfaces of this room dark and glossy, he made the room more traditional, aligning it with the customary lacquer paneling of porcelain rooms. And Jeckyll’s sho-dana shelving system in the Leyland dining room was without precedent in porcelain or other kinds of Western rooms, with influences from Japan and China. Third, Decor in the dining room was revealed as an established pattern in eating rooms from Ancient Roman triclinia to the present day. Fourth, Decor is present in the Peacock Room in four ways: in the trappings of the table used to decorate a dining room, in the darkness of this dining room, in the use of a foodstuff, the peacock, to decorate the room, and in the hearth’s sunflowers. Through the lens of the history of Western domestic interiors, significant innovations by Jeckyll have been brought to light, and the meaning of specific elements in the Peacock Room has been elucidated. Jeckyll and Whistler gave the world a sensational story in the Peacock Room but also a complex work of art that is only beginning to be illuminated.

Deux cents personnes participantes, issues de secteurs variés, ont composé trois champs d'expérimentations différent(e)s, afin de tester l'hypothèse de l'application des méthodes d'ingénierie dans le domaine de la conception du meuble, ainsi que dans celui de l'architecture d'intérieur. Nous avons obtenu un résultat concluant par rapport à l'analyse de la problématique, à l'utilisation de la méthode TRIZ dans le domaine de l'architecture d'intérieur, et à l'étude de la conception d'un meuble. Les étudiants sont parvenus à concevoir un espace complet doté de meubles spécifiques. La qualité des artefacts (58 artefacts), estimée par plusieurs experts, induit que la transformation des méthodes de la créativité dans le domaine de conception du meuble est une hypothèse envisageable. La dimension culturelle du projet, liée à l'application de ces méthodes en partenariat avec des étudiants étrangers de plusieurs universités du design de l'espace, est un argument décisif pour le soutien des méthodes de créativité en tant que source pédagogique et professionnelle du premier ordre / Two hundred participants from different sectors have made three different experiments (s) to test the hypothesis of applying the methods of engineering to the field of furniture design, as well as the interior design. We obtained a conclusive result from the analysis of the problem, by using the TRIZ in the field of interior design, and by studying the design of furniture. Students are able to design a complete space with specific furniture. The Quality of artifacts (58 artifacts) which are estimated by several experts have induced that the transformation of methods of creativity in the field of furniture's design is a possible hypothesis. The cultural dimension of the project, related to the application of these methods in cooperation with foreign students from several universities of space design, is a compelling argument for supporting creativity's methods as an educational and professional source of the first order

Background: The sociodemographic characteristics of consumers, as important determinants of consumer behavior, has not received much attention in research on Country of Origin (COO) effect. In practical, the rapid progress of urbanization in China has brought great demand in the furniture and home-decoration market. Sweden has variety of world-famous furniture and home-decoration brands and most of these have established business in China. There has rarely been research on Chinese consumers’ perceptions of Swedish furniture and home-decoration brands. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Chinese consumers’ sociodemographic characteristics on COO product image in terms of Swedish furniture and home-decoration products and how this affects and influences purchase intentions. Methods: Quantitative research is used in this study through a survey based on an online questionnaire. We test our research model with seven hypotheses based on the survey consisting of 269 valid questionnaires from Chinese consumers. Findings: This empirical study investigates Chinese consumers’ perceptions of Country of Origin image in their evaluation of Swedish furniture and home-decoration products and examines how these are affected by consumers’ sociodemographic characteristics. Taking into account the distinct situation of the Chinese market, we disentangle sociodemographic aspects: age, gender, education and individual income, especially in terms of overseas experience and the scale of city in which the consumer lives. We posit that Chinese consumers’ perceptions of Swedish furniture and home-decoration products vary across distinct facets of sociodemographics. Our finding is that age, education, overseas experience and scale of city do have a significant effect on COO product image, but that age and individual income do not significant influence COO product image.

This degree project starts in the interest for fashion spaces. With this project I want to challenge the way we can experience fashion. I want to push forward the concepts; showroom/ collection.  The body is always important and the starting point in my projects. The body is essential both in the sketching and in the final experience. More specifically, In this degree project I am investigating how body, furniture and puffer jacket can relate to each other. How a puffer jacket collection can be perceived spatially and what will it be then.

Esta tese propõe verificar os limites e possibilidades metodológicas do Experience Design na concepção de peças de mobiliário doméstico contemporâneo. As ferramentas utilizadas para a leitura do contexto de atuação pretendido deram origem ao que denominamos de emergência de questões sensíveis, que nortearam o desenvolvimento dos critérios de projeto, tendo em vista, uma abordagem mais humana e comunitária em busca da promoção da qualidade de vida, via design. A descrição do processo de escolha, aplicação e dificuldades encontradas no uso de tais ferramentas e métodos estão presentes no corpo deste trabalho, enriquecido com a adição de informações complementares, tais como imagens e descrições de projetos de referência, definições e microanálises. Trata-se, de certa maneira, de uma investigação de caráter interdisciplinar, dentro de um panorama rico, mas também intrincado, que deve considerar as questões sociais locais, a minimização dos impactos ambientais, a transformação do espaço doméstico e do próprio grupo familiar. Estas peças de suporte ao cotidiano são entendidas também como interfaces físicas capazes de potencializar a comunicação e transmissão de informações, entre gerações diferentes de uma mesma família, como por exemplo, os jovens e os idosos. Este depositário de memórias vincula fotografias familiares com relatos orais e os exibe em tempos diferentes dos de sua produção e registro. O fio condutor desta narrativa projetual é o sistema intitulado MEMOrabili@, apresentado ao final deste trabalho. / This thesis proposes to verify the methodological limits and possibilities of Experience Design in conceiving contemporary domestic furniture. The tools used to evaluate use-in-context gave rise to what we call \"sensitive issues\" that guided the development of design criteria based in a more human and community-oriented approach that promotes quality of life though design. The description of the selection process, its implementation and the difficulties encountered in using such tools and methods are included in this work, which also contains supplementary information such as images and descriptions of reference designs, definitions and microanalyses. The thesis deals with an interdisciplinary investigation of a broad but intricate context, requiring the consideration of local social issues, the minimization of environmental impact, and the transformation of domestic space as well as the family itself. The objects of day-to-day family life in questions are also understood as physical interfaces capable of enhancing the communication and transmission of information between generations. These repositories of memory link family photographs and oral histories, and remain on display long after their production and the events they record. MEMOrabili@ is the system that drives this design narrative, and it is presented at the end of this work.

Esta pesquisa investiga a estação de trabalho informatizada incorporada ao ambiente residencial. A tecnologia dos equipamentos de informática substituiu a importância dada à escrivaninha. O espaço de trabalho da antiga escrivaninha, que atendia à administração da casa, passou a competir com o espaço de trabalho do computador, somando a este, periféricos e materiais de escritório necessários à escrita, leitura e manuseio de materiais. Com as facilidades de crédito e acesso aos meios de comunicação e informação, disseminou-se o uso do computador. Por meio de pesquisa de mercado identificaram-se três segmentos distintos para a aquisição das estações de trabalho que acomodam o computador em residências: móveis para ambiente corporativo, com sistemas integrados para suprir as necessidades de trabalho; móveis compactos direcionados a residências que não oferecem complementos para ampliação da área de trabalho; e móveis sob medida como opção para home offices, e estações de trabalho integradas a dormitórios. Foi realizada uma pesquisa em mídia impressa e virtual para conhecer condições de oferta e aquisição deste móvel. Considerando a ausência de estações de trabalho informatizadas residenciais no mercado, pesquisaram-se instalações residenciais por meio de fotos de uma amostra de usuários que utilizam o computador em casa para comunicação, estudo, leitura, pesquisa, transações bancárias, administração da casa, compras, etc. O conjunto de dados congregados na pesquisa propiciou a formulação de um projeto-conceito, no qual são indicados os critérios qualitativos necessários ao design de estação de trabalho informatizada com identidade residencial. / This study investigates the computerized workstation incorporated to the residential place. The technology of equipment of informatics replaced the importance given to the writing-desk. The place taken by the old writing desk -- which attended the house administration -- started to compete with the computer work place besides its peripheral pieces and office materials needed for writing, reading as well as its handling. The computer use has spread due to the easy credit and access to the communication and information means. Through a marketing survey, three l different segments were identified for acquisition of the workstations that lodge the computer in residences: furniture for corporative place with integrated systems to supply the work needs; compact furniture\'s for residences that do not have rooms to enlarging the work area; furniture under measure as an option for home offices and workstations integrated to bedrooms. A survey was done on the printed and virtual media to know the offering and acquisition conditions of this furniture. Considering the lack, in the market, of computerized residential workstations, surveys about residential installations were made through photos of a sample of users that use computers at home for communication, study, reading, research, bank transactions, house administration, shopping, etc. The data set, assembled in the survey, provided the formulation of design-concept that indicates the qualitative criteria needed to the design of computerized workstation with residential characteristics.

Este estudo teve por objetivo analisar os aspectos estéticos, físicos, mecânicos e de qualidade da superfície usinada da madeira de árvores de Eucalyptus grandis, Eucalyptus urophylla e Eucalyptus dunnii aos 18 anos, tendo como objetivo a sua aplicação na indústria moveleira. Para tanto, foram coletadas três árvores de cada espécie da Estação Experimental de Ciências Florestais (EECF) da ESALQ/USP, localizada em Anhembi-SP. Os ensaios de massa específica aparente, densidade básica, variação dimensional e módulos de ruptura e elasticidade foram realizados de acordo com a NBR 7190/96. Para a análise de qualidade da superfície usinada foram avaliados 48 corpos de prova de cada espécie, aplainados em 7 diferentes velocidades de avanço. Em cada corpo de prova foram feitas 3 leituras, em diferentes posições, com rugosímetro. Foram realizadas análise de variância e testes de médias para cada parâmetro avaliado. Posteriormente, executaram-se as correlações de Pearson entre resultados dos diferentes ensaios. Com base nos resultados obtidos, concluiu-se que as três espécies estudadas apresentam características compatíveis para uso na indústria moveleira, com diferentes aplicações; a madeira de Eucalyptus urophylla apresentou o melhor desempenho em relação à maioria dos parâmetros analisados, o que indica a possibilidade de sua aplicação em grande parte dos componentes de um móvel; o Eucalyptus grandis foi a espécie que apresentou melhor desempenho nos ensaios de variação dimensional, porém apresentou restrições quanto ao uso estrutural e altos valores de coeficiente de variação nos resultados; o Eucalyptus dunnii apresentou maior retratibilidade e pior desempenho em relação à qualidade da superfície usinada, qualificando-se dentre as três espécies estudadas, como a menos indicada para uso em movelaria; as três espécies apresentaram importantes variações das características físicas ao longo do raio; os melhores resultados em relação à qualidade da superfície usinada foram obtidos com baixa velocidade de avanço; pela análise descritiva, os parâmetros de densidade e massa específica aparente são bons indicadores de estabilidade dimensional, desempenho mecânico e qualidade de superfície usinada; os resultados obtidos nas análises e os da bibliografia apontam uma alta variabilidade tecnológica da madeira das três espécies de eucalipto, recomendando a seleção e usos da madeira de clones. / The objective of this work was to analyze the aesthetics aspects, surface quality, physical and mechanical properties of Eucalyptus grandis, Eucalyptus dunnii and Eucalyptus urophylla wood with 18 years-old, aiming to give technical information its best application in furniture production. The material for the tests were three trees of each species, collected at Experimental Campus of Forestry Science from ESALQ/USP at Anhembi/SP. For the physical and mechanical tests the NBR 7190/96 was used. For the surface quality, 48 samples of each species were processed in 7 different forward velocities. In each sample, 3 tests in different positions were done using reliefmeter. Data were evaluated through analysis of variance, tests of comparison of means and Pearson correlation test between the different tests. It was concluded that the three studied species are suitable for furniture production, in different applications; the Eucalyptus urophylla had the best results for most of the realized tests, being suitable for most of the furniture components; the Eucalyptus grandis had the best results on shrinkage test, suitable for rigid joints or the ones with glued pieces and big dimension components, although it had the higher variation coefficient values and the species is not suitable for structure components, due to the low values on the mechanical tests; the Eucalyptus dunnii had the worst results for furniture production, comparing to the other studied, due to it\'s low performance at the shrinkage tests and at the surface quality test;. the three species had important variation trend of physical characteristics for the values on the radial direction, from the pith to the sapwood; the best results for the quality surface were due to the low forward velocity; the basic density and specific gravity parameters have good correlation with the studied characteristics: shrinkage, mechanical performance and surface quality; the results obtained on the analysis and the ones on the references show high technological variability on wood of the three species studied, so it is recommended the selection and use of wood from clones.

Trata-se de investigação sobre o design no processo de produção e uso de mobiliário escolar em redes de ensino público no Brasil, com foco em São Paulo, a partir do problema da geração de sucata. Foram levantados os órgãos executivos e respectivos modelos implantados, conceitos e circunstâncias. Resultados de análise evidenciaram o surgimento e agravamento da influência do vandalismo sobre o mobiliário escolar, entre 1990-2005. Análise do fenômeno indica a importância da participação do usuário-educando no processo geral, tendo como instrumento social e ambiental o design em produção comunitária-escolar. / This work is a historical approach on production and usage process of school furniture in the public education system in Brazil, focusing São Paulo, from the problem of generation and destiny of scrap of this very product. The obtained results present the history of the responsible executive organs, concepts, circumstances and a implanted models. Chiefly, evidence the raise and worsening of the influence of vandalism on the school furniture, between 1990 and 2005, whose analysis of its meaning indicates the importance of the participation of user-student in the usage and production process, having as social and environmental tool the design in shool communitary production.