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MYP e-Assessment 2019

Global context: Fairness and development
Key concept: Systems
Related concept: Function
Statement of inquiry: Designs that effectively synthesise structure and creativity can improve productivity
Inquiry questions such as these should be developed by teachers and students:
Factual: What causes lack of productivity in a workplace?
How do we synthesize a function and a purpose to improve productivity?
Conceptual: How can a designer influence productivity?
How does the creation of displays and creative pieces/places that showcase a
company’s values and mission help employees get more productive?
Debatable: Does 'sharing’ a workplace, rather than being consigned help everyone become inclusive
in a company’s mission and hence, more productive?
Introduction
Unproductivity in workplaces can be caused by a number of factors including lack of motivation, and purpose. In
order for employees to be motivated, they need to connect with the mission of the company they work for. This
should ideally be incorporated into the workplace environment for the employees to find purpose and motivation.
(For more information on workspace productivity, see appendix A).
CRITERION A- INQUIRING AND ANALYSING
Stand (i)- Situation
The client for this project has recently opened his own company and wants a multi-
purpose product for the reception of his newly constructed office. The reception
currently contains a blank corner which disturbs the rest of the setting. With the
reception being the one room that everyone views as they enter the office, it is the first
thing that builds the impression on a buyer, and even sets the mood for the employees
coming in every day. Therefore, the client wants that current ‘boring and dull’ corner to
comprise of a ‘statement’ piece that reflects the values and mission of the company. The
rest of the reception is incorporated of a reception desk and a waiting area comprising of
a sofa-seating which has been interior designed with an ‘industrial’ theme. The client
wants the product to follow the same, which means the product must incorporate the
pre-designed color palette comprising of tones of greys as the main color, sienna as the
Although a theme is set
secondary color, and greens, oranges, and blues being the accent and bold colors.
the space still feels
The client would like the product to double as a incomplete (self-click)
storage piece in order to store books, magazines,
etc. about his company as the reception also contains a waiting room. He would
like this to enhance the purpose of the product and not diminish the ‘attractive
quality’ in the piece.
The client’s company is a furniture exporting house and has the mission of
‘getting the best of India to the world’. The client would wish for this mission to
be reflected in the product in order to create the reception more interactive with
The blank corner is currently possible buyers. Sharing the mission of the company will also increase employee
being used for random storage, engagement, improving productivity and customer satisfaction. Along with the
distracting from the main mission, the client would wish the product also reflect the business. The client
theme(self-click) deals furniture pieces made mainly from excellent hardwoods and incorporates
some textiles, however represents styles from all over the country. By being brought up in the same country, the
client has a strong attachment and preference towards Indian styles of furniture and textiles and therefore has
based his business around that. The entire office is incorporated of different Indian elements and therefore the
client would like them to be incorporated in the product as well.

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As Indian furniture is very royal and artistic, it is the perfect way to personalize as well as add aesthetical appeal into
the product. The styles in Indian furniture contain influence from different corners of the world which gives me the
opportunity to blend with the pre-designed ‘industrial’ theme. The tones, shapes, and styles in Indian furniture are
diverse through which I can either create the ‘attractive quality’ through the use of main colors to blend with the
rest of the interior, or contrastingly, use the accent colors to attract appeal. Furthermore, while there is a strong
beauty about Indian furniture, there is also fitting combination of function. This will help me incorporate the storage
aspect in the piece effectively, not compromising on the value of appearance. The product’s main purpose is to
attract possible buyers working in the field of furniture, home, and living, and daily employees that work in the
building every day. In order to understand their opinions, likes, and preferences, a survey will be sent out to the
combination in order to understand their current perspective on the company, and the ways of communication they
might prefer to see. This will help me determine different ways the product could possibly incorporate in order to
communicate to the clients and employees.
In summary, the client portrays a need and situation that demand a product that is able to incorporate the
company’s purpose through the use of creative ways that portray the business, and also is able to functionalize the
space. The product should be able to reach out to the employees and buyers of the company which should have a
positive impact on productivity as well by recognizing everyone working for the company and by portraying the
sharing of cultures and resources around the world. The product should also be able to incorporate into the
interiors- Industrial to give an aesthetic appeal.

Brainstorming
interactive ways
From my spider diagram,
I was able to brainstorm
on a few relevant aspects
I would have to research
in order to evaluate what
all elements the product
should include in terms
of function, creativity,
and productivity.

Self-made brainstorming
diagram

Strand (ii)- Research Plan

No. Primary Research
1. Brainstorming and evaluating the interactive
ways to incorporate into the product
2. Survey of employees and current buyers to
understand their current perspective on the
company and ways to communicate and
How it will help Page No.
Through brainstorming many ideas get 2
narrowed onto the paper from which the
relevant ones can be extracted and a plan
could be created for further research. Also,
it expands the opportunity to explore more
aspects and also give a clear vision.
It is important to understand the 6
perspective of the buyers and employees as
the need for the product derives from there.
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opinions on possible aspects that could be
included (colors, size, different patterns etc.)
3. Analysis of the reception space in order to
create mood board for the client
No. Secondary Research
1. Analyze existing storage systems and
interactive displays from the internet for their elements could be possibly incorporated
methods and effectiveness on increasing
productivity.
2. Research on popular preferences selected in
the survey to see the possibility of them being prefers, research needs to be conducted so
included as an aspect in the product.
3. Research on Indian furniture styles and
properties in order to select the one which
could represent the company’s mission the
best.
4. Analyzing technology, techniques, materials,
joints, and fixtures used in similar existing
products to gain clarity on which to incorporate could be enhanced using.
in the product.
They are the target audience that will be
effected by the product and if we have the
knowledge of what they would prefer it
would be easier to incorporate those
aspects into the product and solve the
problem.
The product needs to be customized with Appendix
the reception therefore aspects like color D
theme, location, interior, other furniture
needs to be looked at and analyzed before
moving on to the designing process.
Page No.
Existing products give a glimpse of how 9
and after looking at a range of existing
products, a synthesis could be created that
would best fulfill the clients need.
After identifying what the target audience 5
that more clarity and knowledge is gained
about those preferences and also if any
ways and solutions are available to
incorporate into the product.
As the client’s main preference and strong 3
attachment is towards Indian furniture and
textiles, aspects like different styles,
common materials, and purpose needs to
be researched so that we have clarity on
how exactly to incorporate this preference
into the product.
This is extra research to gain insight into 4
some creative or new ways that the product

Secondary Research
I am beginning with secondary research in order to gain a bit of knowledge in order to move on to primary research.
I am starting with researching my client’s preference on Indian furniture styles and then will move on to different
creative ways to incorporate into my product that might be able to fulfill the purpose of the product. This will help
me create a strong base which would guide me through my primary research.

Indian furniture styles

As the client deals in Indian furniture, I need to research different styles that could possibly be incorporate into the
product. (For detailed research and content, look at appendix B)

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<Mughal
-Uses rich hardwoods like ebony
-Uses inlaid ivory to decorate
Goanese >
-Big furniture
-Includes inlaid geometrics decorations

v Indo-Dutch Fig. 2 Pt.4, pg. 38

-Two styles:
Fig. 1 Pt.5 pg. 38 a) light colored hardwoods with inlaid decoration
b) dark woods like ebony and decorated using carved florals

Traditional English >

-Influenced by Chippendale and Sheraton styles.
-fusion of elements to build new styles

Fig 4. Pt.6 pg. 38

Fig 3. Pt.7, pg. 38

Research on interactive displays

In order to find the best method to communicate to the employees and clients, I decided to analyze two different
displays that could be incorporated into the product. Here are the main benefits of each.

1. Employee engagement display

This is an idea which I got from an interactive public installation called “What Made Me?”
by Dorota Grabkowska. The question is answered by
visitors by connecting the yawn thread through different
elements. In an office, this can be changed to different
elements that effect an employee’s productivity and
through different colors yawn, the management can
check what is the main problem and start work on fixing
it.
Fig 5. Pt.8 pg. 38

2. Display wall Fig 6. Pt.8 pg.38

This method is basically writing the aims and values of a
company on the wall so that everyone ca be communicated
and is able to understand. This is a good method in terms of
clarity as now employees and clients can clearly define what
the company is about and their role in it. However, that can
also act as a downfall because there is just text on a big wall
and no personalization which means no creative value.

Fig 7. Pt.9 pg.38 Fig 8. Pt.9 pg.38

*All citations on page 38

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Creating mood board with industrial principles

I created a mood board incorporating aspects such as industrial interior theme (more information in Appendix C) ,
company’s business (exporting Indian furniture) and location (reception, analysis in appendix D) in order to
represent the possible ideas to the client. (Fig. 9-26, pt 13-30, all citations of page 38 )

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Primary Research
For my primary research, the main things conducted was the survey through which a much deeper insight of the
target audience’s likes and preference was established. After identifying them, a deeper analysis was followed to
separate their advantages and disadvantages and to the extent they help in solving my client’s problem.

Analyzing survey results (link in Appendix E)

After researching aspects on productivity and design, I need to evaluate the preference of the people who are going
to utilize it. Therefore, I sent out a survey to employees, and potential visitors and was able to get opinions on the
relevance of the product, location, styles, and the elements which the product may comprise of. I was able to get 17
responses which would now help me narrow down to the specifics of each element that the client requires and the
users prefer. Below is the analysis of all relevant questions (name, email, DT experienced or not, not included):

Are you currently working as an employee?

More than half of the respondents are employees and hence, the
answers would be more relevant as they come from the target
audience. If the popular choice is incorporated into the product,
it is certain that it will benefit the purpose of the product.

Do you think employees in a company need to be reminded of the company’s "mission" and "values" in order to work
productively?
Although already established, this shows that the majority of the
respondents agree that in order for them to be productive they need
to connect with the ‘mission’ and ‘values’ of the company. Even
though the statistics show the relevance of these aspects, most
companies forget to communicate these effectively.

Do you think the reception is an important space in an office? Please give a reason for your answer.

All responses agreed

that the reception is an
important space in the
office. Most people
believe that it builds a
‘first impression’ and
shows what the
company and office
about. Some have also
mentioned that, it is
also the space where
you interact with your
customers and is
essential to build
business also.

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Which of the following displays do you think communicate to the employees and buyers the most effectively? (Can
choose more than one).

Out of the interactive displays that I researched on page 3, the first one got the most votes. It was a creative
interactive public installation which could be incorporated for this purpose as well. A mixture of function and
interactive piece is a close second and would fit both purposes of productivity and storage.

How can a storage product communicate to the employees and possible clients?

The majority of the respondents believe

that if a product is able to incorporate the
‘work’ of the company it will be able to
communicate effectively. Therefore, I
should be able to incorporate Indian
furniture aspects in some way or the other
in order to fulfill the purpose of the client
and cater to the employees.

Which of the following Indian furniture styles appeal to you the most? (Can choose more than one)

Out of all Indian

furniture styles I
researched on page
3, Mughal influenced
has been the most
popular choice. I
must incorporate this
style into my product
to show the ‘best of
India’ as this style
contains Indian
elements as well as
other influences.

What was the main quality that made you choose your answer? (Can choose more than one)

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Through this I can narrow down the specific aspect which appealed to the people the most which is overall visual
appeal. The aesthetics of the Mughal style are very royal and hence the visual appeal is more than the other styles.

Which of the following storage concepts do you find the most creative and interactive? (Can choose more than one)
Assessed in the analysis of existing products on page 7.

What about the designs above made you choose them? (Can choose more than one)

From this question, we know that creativity and visual appeal is the deciding factor for most people. This makes
sense because visual sensory stimulates the brain into becoming more productive and hence, the product should
have a very strong visual factor.

Do you think a storage system that incorporates Indian styles and is placed in the reception become valuable to
productivity?
The fact that the maximum voted ‘yes’ assures me that synthesizing
two functions and purposes will help solve the problem of an empty
reception space and also increase productivity within the office
community.

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Strand (iii): Analyzing existing products

I analyzed existing storage products with similar concepts in order to see how efficient they are in delivering the
purpose and if some could possibly provide inspiration for me to develop ideas out of. I also put these in the survey
in order to evaluate the product according to popular choices amount the target audience.

Piece 1: Big storage piece with drawers personalized (4 votes)

This is a big storage piece made out hardwood and mainly fulfills the function of
storage as it has many different compartments of different sizes. This is efficient
for multi-storage. There is also a strong aesthetic quality to it through its
personalized drawers. Different patterns and designs have been incorporated and
the with its huge size attract attention. Although this piece fulfills many purposes,
with the situation in hand we do not require so much storage in the reception
area, however the personalization and incorporation of different colors gives it a
unique quality.
Fig 27. Pt.39, all citations on
page 39
Piece 2: A bold piece that incorporates creativity and
storage
I specifically selected this piece because of its creative storage quality. It is definitely a
statement piece which fulfills the function of storing display items through a very creative
way. This gives it a strong aesthetic and has to be carefully coordinated in a room due to its
bold style. This is made out of a softwood which has been painted blue, however I chose this
because if I decide to take up a similar idea, it can incorporate colors from the industrial
scheme and can also include aspects from Indian furniture to personalize it.
Fig 28. Pt.32, pg.39

Piece 3: Creative hanging piece that could possibly store basic personal things
This is a very attractive piece as it is different from ordinary storage methods such as
cabinets, consoles etc. It has hanging piece with plates made out of hardwood and
supported with metal bars which are attached to the ceiling. Its main function is to
enhance the look of the room, and secondary function is to provide storage. However, it
might not be able to fulfill that function properly due to its delicate design. However, I
selected this piece because a similar concept could be applied using Indian hardwoods
such as shisham with possible ivory decorations because this is mainly about ‘visual
appeal’.

Fig 29. Pt.33, pg.39

Piece 4: Creative storage piece with a personalized shape and storage compartments
I chose this piece mainly due to its unique shape and also how efficiently it fulfills the
function of storage. Its big size enables t to store properly while the create geometrical
shape attracts appeal. The most striking feature is how the storage sections are divided
in triangles and are able to store a range of things. The aesthetic quality of this piece
reminds me of the Indo-Dutch style and how craftsmen incorporate geometrical shapes
through carving. This can be incorporated into my product for a strong sense of Indian
furniture and a striking visual appeal.
Fig 30. Pt.34, pg.39

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Piece 5: Check-box tick storage piece that could accompany a written display
This piece fulfills the function of communicating the goals/mission through the creative use
creating checkboxes out softwood. However, the storage function is only secondary and
minimal. I chose this piece because the idea behind it is very similar to the situation of my
client. This checkbox could possibly be supported by the mission and values of the company.
However, this idea will become mundane after some time and needs to have some
personalization in order to refresh everyone who comes in the
reception. Fig 31. Pt.35, pg.39

Piece 6: A storage piece with a displayed compartment for personal things

The appealing feature about this piece is the use of a glass compartment in order to display
selected items and a hidden compartment behind it to store other items as well. The use of
hardwood gives it a rich look and the size enhances the function of storage. However, the
attracting quality is still the displayed compartment. I chose this piece because this could be
incorporated in order to show the ‘work’ of the client and display it in an efficient way so that
the appeal is also there. However, it could also be possible that after some time this piece might
become boring due to the same items inside/ or might require regular change to keep people
interested.
Fig. 32 Pt.36, pg. 39

Takeaway from each design

Piece no. Votes Takeaway
1. 4 Enhancing the quality of storage through the use creative patterns/ designs and use of
bold color schemes to attract attention
2. 6 Synthesizing a creative concept with a function and the versatility to adapt into
different themes and surroundings
3. 4 Using a creative form of storage in order to attract appeal and keeping minimalist
principles to achieve the ‘statement’ factor
4. 9 The efficient use of geometric shapes in order to provide different compartments for
storage and also using the same feature to personalize a shape
5. 5 Using a creative product to communicate clearly and also synthesizing two purposes to
give out overall efficiency
6. 2 The use of two compartments, one to display and one to store and the use of size and
material to fulfill two functions

Materials used in similar products

Throughout all my research I have seen a constant trend of ‘hardwoods’ in Indian furniture. Therefore, I researched
the most popular hardwoods used in India such as teak, shisham, ebony, and rosewood in order to evaluate the
benefits of each (detailed in appendix F). This will help me choose the correct material when I will develop ideas.

Teak Wood Rosewood

-deep yellow to dark brown -dark color
-moderately hard -rich element and high quality
-takes good polish -available in large quantities
Fig. 33 Pt. 39, pg. 39 -not attacked by white ants
Fig. 34 Pt.40, pg. 39

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Shisham
Ebony
-irregular grain structure
-dark color
-strong and durable
-very high aesthetic value
-used for decorative carvings
-easily recognizable
Fig 35. Pt.42, pg. 39 Fig 36. Pt.27, all citations on page 39

Analysis of research
The research that I have conducted throughout has been very relevant and I was able to explore all aspects that
could be incorporated into my product. The secondary research that I conducted helped me build on my prior
knowledge and also gain new knowledge that guided me to create my survey questions. Through my primary
research I was able to identify the exact likes and preferences of my target audience that were analyzed and more
knowledge was gained through analyzing existing products about what would work in my product and what should
not be included. The other research about the materials will help me in the selection of which materials works best
with the styles chosen.

Strand (iv): Design Brief

From the detailed research, I conducted using a range of primary and secondary sources, I was able to evaluate and
narrow down on elements such as themes, styles, size, color, material and purpose. Through that I evaluated the
following design brief:
I will be creating a storage piece for a client who requires a ‘statement piece’ to fill the blank corner in
his newly constructed office. It has two primary functions, to bring a personalized touch that
represents the ‘mission’ and ‘values’ of the company in order to motivate employees and form
impression on potential buyers, and second, to be able to store magazines/ books etc. and hence, the
size should be in between medium-large. The storage piece should be able to incorporate the client’s
work of ‘exporting Indian furniture to the world’ through representation of the Mughal style. This can
be achieved by using the royal color schemes, using materials like ivory to decorate, and/ or
engravings. It should be made out of hardwoods like teak in order to represent Indian furniture and
should blend into the theme of Industrial interiors by incorporating tones of grey, sienna, blues, greens,
and oranges. The product should have a strong visual appeal with creative synthesis and should be
able to appeal to the employees in the office.

CRITERION B- DEVELOPING IDEAS

Strand (i): Specification
Aspect Details
Client The product should be age-appropriate for
people which are in the range of 25-60, and
a combination of different genders,
ethnicity, and socio-economic background.
Target Market The product should be versatile to use by a
number of target markets including
corporate, and living for people interested
Justification
The main usage of the product would be done by
the employees and buyers which belong to the
age group of 25-60 and are diverse in other
aspects. All of these should be seriously
considered before the designing takes place in
order to establish neutrality and respect
everyone’s individuality.
Considering the clients requirement, the product
can fulfill other purposes as well for not only the
corporate market but also living and household

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in Indian furniture, and multi-storage
compartments
Function The product should be able to
communicate the purpose and vision of the
company through the use of different
aspects which could be visual,
informational, or a synthesis and should
also be able to double as a storage system.
Materials The materials of the product need to be
authentic as to build on visual appeal and
aesthetics, and also should be strong
enough to be long lasting, and durable.
Ergonomics There are no limits as such on the size
and size however should be convenient to use for
people up to 6 feet.
Location The product is not bound to any constraints
of style, height, size etc. due to the
available space being large enough.
However, the product needs to follow
industrial principles in order to be in
cohesion with the rest of the room.
Aesthetics The product should have a visually
appealing factor incorporated through the
use of Mughal Indian furniture style. Warm
color palettes should be mainly used and
should include the unique designs of
Mughal heritage to add more visual appeal.
Finishing The product should mostly have a natural
finish of the materials
Environmental The product needs to be environmental
considerations friendly and efficient through incorporating
recyclable and long-lasting materials.
Health and Basic safety precautions need to be
Safety incorporated such as soft edges,
inflammable materials, and no dangerous
parts that could cause any sort of injury.
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and would be better to be available to a range of
target markets with the same purpose.
As the product’s main purpose in the inform the
company’s employees and buyers about the
purpose and mission of the company for them to
be more motivated and productive, those aspects
need to be included in the product. Furthermore,
as the product is placed in a reception, it should
be able to provide space to store items such as
magazines, etc.
The choice of material is very important as it is
relevant to many other aspects. For one, the
Mughal furniture style is based around the use of
hardwoods and decorative materials such as
ivory. Furthermore, as the product is custom to
the needs of the client and will be used by a large
number of people, it also needs to be long-lasting
and durable.
This is important to consider as anthropometric
factors of Indian people will be make it easier to
define the size suitable for the target audience.
The client needs this product for an empty space
in the reception of the office which is big enough
to hold any type of storage system comprising of
a range of different sizes and styles. The
reception has been previously interior designed
with industrial principles therefore the product
needs to be incorporate the same through the
use color palette, or other elements in order to
be in cohesion with the rest of the room.
As the client’s business is about exporting Indian
furniture and textiles all around the world, it was
necessary to incorporate some style of Indian
furniture. Through the survey conducted
between employees and buyers, the most
popular choice was Mughal and hence it is
necessary for this style to be incorporated in the
designs in some way or the other.
This is necessary to show the authenticity of the
materials and the natural aesthetic of the style
It is necessary to incorporate environmental
consideration before designing the product in
order minimize the negative impact on the
environment in all ways possible. Furthermore, as
there is a lot of different functions taking place in
a corporate space, everything that impacts the
environment needs to be minimal.
This is necessary because the product is kept in a
space which is used by everyone in some way or
the other and needs to be safe as to not cause
any unnecessary injury to anyone in the office.
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Productivity The product needs to efficiently As the main purpose is to increase productivity of
communicate the vision and purpose of the the employees through communicating the
company through an innovative method. vision, and purpose of the company, it needs to
be incorporated through an interesting method.
In order to do that, every aspect of the company
should be looked at ranging from the product
manufactured, and all the countries the company
exports to.
Strand (ii): Design Ideas
1. The Logo Shelf

Plenty of unusual and

creative storage
compartments to diversify
storage

Made out of Mahogany

Creative geometrical providing it a firm
shapes combine to form stance, and beautiful
the logo of the company, color, suitable for
completely suitable for a Industrial interiors
reception and extremely building cohesion in the
eye-catching room.

1. Display Storage
Display shelves
provide the
opportunity to
showcase any pieces
that reflect what the
company is about

The entire piece

reflects Mughal Along with display
shelves, a hidden
aesthetics and is a
statement piece compartment for basic
reflecting Indian storage is also
furniture provided

Made out of Shisham

in order to have a
strong build and also
show a classic Indian
wood

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2. Wall information Piece

Personalized as it
includes the surrounding
to fulfill its purpose of
displaying information

Basic Teak wood to

match the industrial
Interiors of the
reception

Basic shelving space to

keep books, other items

3. Divider Storage

Conversion of one panel

Creative and unusual into white board in order
synthesis makes it an to provide management
eye-catching piece in to communicate urgent
the room due to its announcements, new
royal Mughal panels goals etc. to improve
productivity

Basic shelves to provide

for storage of
magazines, books etc.

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4. Suitcase shelf Antique suitcase

provides as an excellent
statement piece due to
creative cohesion of
storage with aesthetics

Teak wood painted

different colors to give
‘antiqueness’ to suit
the industrial aesthetic
of the room

The handle opens us to

revels a medium size
storage compartment
to store diverse range
of things

5. Tomb Storage

Mughal inspired tomb

with engraving gives a
beautiful and elegant
aesthetic to the room

Different
compartments for
storage of a diverse
range of things

Combination of soft
woods and hardwoods
used to solve different
purposes

Analysis of ideas against specification

Key:
Yes
No

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Specification Design 1 Design 2 Design 3 Design 4 Design 5 Design 6

Client
Target Market
Function
Materials
Ergonomics
Location
Aesthetics
Finishing
Environmental
considerations
Health and
Safety
Productivity

Take away from each design

Design No. Significant Justification
feature
1. The logo Combination of The different shapes the combine together offer a different and creative
shelf geometry to storage compartments, however they add up to build the logo of the company
produce the from the materials the company uses most (hardwoods). This piece subtly
logo summarizes the company and what is about in a creative storage unit.
2. Display Display Along with very traditional Mughal aesthetics and style in the bottom half of
storage compartment the piece, the top is made out of glass, displaying the articles kept inside in a
museum way. The client can display any meaningful articles to provide
information about the company as they would be supported by a beautiful
traditional storage compartment.
3. Wall Personalized The personalized V and M for ‘vision’ and ‘mission’ provide the opportunity to
information with the involve the surrounding wall to provide endless information for possible
piece surrounding clients and also tie the entire reception look. It also shows that the entire
reception is thoughtfully coordinated with importance to the information
aspect of the company.
4. Divider Conversion of The traditional piece is eye catching on its own, however converting one panel
storage unusual for information is a creative way of attracting people to read information and
traditional also admire the details and designs on the divider, which also has two shelves
piece for storage.
5. Suitcase Industrial This piece perfectly suits the entire interiors of the reception, and the
shelf aesthetics ‘antiqueness’ of the suitcase shelf on the wall is bound to attract people.
Furthermore, the piece can be opened up to reveal a storage compartment.
The materials of the suitcase are traditional Indian materials which tells about
India and the mixture with industrial aesthetics shows open-mindedness of
the company.
6. Tomb Combination of Along with many different grand sized storage compartments, and a
storage aesthetics traditional Mughal tomb as a top, this piece provides a great combination of
aesthetics with audience interaction. Not only will the user be able to admire
traditional Mughal aesthetics, it can also add its personal touch to the piece,
telling more about the company, and increasing productivity.

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Improved Designs The glass Traditional Indian hardwood is

compartments make it used “Shisham” which
easier to showcase showcases what the company
Design 2 things about the produces
company

A lot of room
for storage is
The Mughal given in
aesthetic is addition to the
added on the glass

x
compartments compartments
in the front which will be
giving a colorful able to store a
aspect to the variety of
piece things.

Engraving on wood add Stained oak wood add

Design 6 Mughal aesthetic and the color and match with the
shape of the tomb add location of the office
authenticity
x

A lot of storage is provided in the Along with open storage, the

storage compartment and shows piece also contains drawers
mixture of traditional aesthetic with to hold different things
modern storage

Analysis of improved designs

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From the analysis of all ideas, I found out that the two ideas that met all specifications sufficiently were Designs 2
and 6, therefore I decided to improve upon my initial ideas. After adding more detail through annotation and
drawing, I can decide which one of these to finally choose. Both of them show creative aesthetic of traditional
Mughal furniture and have a variety of storage. Both fulfill the function properly and I must evaluate on other
specifications in order to choose the final design.

Strand (iii): Chosen Design

Engraving on the tomb gives a more
100”
authentic feel of Mughal era and making it
more rich and royal

Tomb made out Oak wood

and coated with blue paint
70” to add a rich color to the
entire look and support the
surrounding

31.5”

70”
23.33
”
Drawer
panels made
out of rich 25”
cherry which 50” Different types and sizes
will make the of shelves allow for all
piece strong kinds of storage
as well as add including magazines for
its rich color Handles made out of
cherry blend with the the reception but others
drawer, allowing all can be also stored as
focus to be on the well
design on the tomb

Strand (iv): Exploded Diagram

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Orthographic
TOP

5
LEFT FRONT 1 RIGHT
2

3 4

Part Amount Description Dimension(in) Material Color Finish

No. Thickness Height Width and
Texture
1 1 Engraving on the 1 36 max. 100 Oak wood Natural Natural
tomb
2 3 Drawer cover 2 23.33 50 Cherry Natural Natural
3 3 Drawer handle 1.5 3.5 20 Cherry Natural Natural
4 2 Cover panel 1 70 100 Oak Natural Natural
5 1 Tomb 100 36 max. 100 Oak Blue Natural
painted

Justifying the chosen design against specification

Aspect Met/Not Justification
Met
Aesthetics Met The Mughal inspired tomb at the top gives it a very unique aesthetic and the color
combinations helps the stained wood of the tomb to stand out. Furthermore, the
detailing on the tomb through the engravings adds authenticity to the furniture
and showing the quality of the company.

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Target Market Met The Mughal aesthetic and the huge storage space make the product a solution for
problems in many markets including corporate and household. It’s smart cohesion
make it appropriate for a variety of spaces. Furthermore, as the tomb and the
storage compartment is detachable, it can also be sold separately and solve
different purposes.
Function Met The usage of traditional materials along with the traditional aesthetic provides a
good visual appeal, however the piece also contains many different other types of
storage including drawers, open shelves to store all types of things in them.
Client/User Met The aesthetics of the piece can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of any
differences and the interactive feature is also usable by all people in the office.
Environmental Met Much of the product is created using long lasting wood making it durable for a
considerations long time and not requiring any replacements saving money and consumption of
more materials. The materials are also re-usable and can be saved instead
disposal.
Location Met The color scheme of the product coordinate perfectly with the industrial interiors
of the reception and hence is in perfect coordination with the rest of the
surrounding. Furthermore, as the piece is too tall or wide, the size does not look
off in the room but enough to be noticeable and viewed.
Materials Met None of the materials are weak, and strong enough to be long-lasting and can
survive minor scratches etc. The paint might need retouching after a while but the
built will be strong due to the authenticity of the woods used.
Safety Met All the sides are softened and necessary safety precautions are taken. No
flammable items are used for the interactive part and the product in itself is
completely safe for the user and does not pose any risk for any kind of injury.
Ergonomics Met With the ergonomically considerations in mind, the piece is conveniently usable
and Size for the majority group for 6 feet and under.
Productivity Met The creative synthesis of the engravings and the Mughal aesthetics along with a
convenient and simplistic storage unit below show the open mindedness of the
company and their vision of a global marker by combining two contrasting
features of two styles from different corners of the world.

Planning materials and components

Materials Stained Oak
Oak The two woods being used are oak and cherry due
to them being hardwoods. Not only they help
Cherry
make the piece strong and sturdy, they also
represent the type of furniture exported by the
company. The subtle yet thoughtful use of cherry
in the drawer faces helps to add more authentic
aesthetic to the piece through its color.
Fig 47-49. Pt.47-49, pg. 39
________________________________________________________________________________
Joints
There are a number of joints available for wood fixtures
however, the joints required by this piece are those
which are strong and can hold the piece together for a
Butt Joint
long time. In order to join different plates in the storage
compartment, a dado joint can be used due to its sturdy Fig 50 and
51 Pt 50 and
fixture and its simplicity to be done in the workshop.
51, pg. 39
Also, it is commonly used for shelves. Besides that, there
is the standard butt join which is done through
20
adhesives and hammering pin nails which is not as
secure but easier to achieve.
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_____________________________________________________________________________
Engraving
In order to perform the engraving on the wood, Dado Joint
special materials would be needed. Basic wood
engraving can be done through chisels which are used
in wood work. However, for this we can also use
mechanical tools such as the electric milling tool. This
can be used simply in the workshop and only requires
basic outlining of the design wanted.
Fig 52 and 53 Pt 52 and 53, pg. 39
________________________________________________________________________________

CRITERION C- CREATION OF PRODUCT

Strand (i): Step-by-step manufacturing process
Step Description Tools Materials
1. Collect all available materials in the workshop N/A N/A
2. Source unavailable materials from external source
4. Wood engraving Ruler Oak plane
a) Make sure the Oak plane is at least 1 in thick and draw out Engineer Square Pencil
the design you want engraved on the flat plane. Make Electric wood miller
sure the width is 1 cm, and not less or more
b) Take the electric milling tool and carefully carve over the
drawing of the wooden plane
5. Marking the storage compartment Steel Ruler Oak Wood
a) Mark 5 planes of 8mm thick oak in the length of 65 cm Engineer Square Cherry wood
and width of 70 cm. These create the outer layer of the Pencil
compartment and one panel will be used as the middle
intersection.
b) Mark 1 plane with the thickness of 8 mm and the length of
35 cm and the width of 65 cm. This is the horizontal shelf
divider.

6. Marking the drawer compartment

a) Mark 3 panels with 33 cm width, and 65 cm length
b) Mark 6 panels 21cm length, and 65 cm width
c) Mark 6 panels 21 cm length, and 33 cm width

7. Marking the handles

a) Take a 1cm thick oak panel and mark a 20 by 3.5cm
rectangle
b) On the same panel, mark two 1.5 in by 3.5cm in
rectangles
8. Cut all the marked pieces using band saw and sand any uneven Band Saw Oak Wood
edges Sanding block
Electric sander
9. Joining the storage compartment Ball-pein Hammer Oak, MDF
0.2mm nails
a) Join the compartments together using a standard butt
Plier
joint

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-Hammer the nails halfway through, snipe the top using a plier
and proceed to hammer it all the way through

10. Joining the drawers together Ball-pein Hammer Oak, MDF

0.2mm nails
a) Use a butt joint to assemble all the drawers
Plier
11. Joining handle to the drawer Hand drill 15mm black
Dot punch screws
a) Drill holes on each end to screw the handles in to the
Ball-pein Hammer
drawer
PVA Adhesive

12. Joining the drawers to the storage compartment Flat electric sander Oak, MDF
Screw Driver 15mm black
a) On each side of the drawers, create a groove using a
Flat file screws
biscuit cut on router table
Hand drill (countersink
b) Mark the center line to match the grooves on the drawers
drill bit, twist drill bit-
and attach the 15 mm wooden sticks using adhesive
0.5mm)
c) In order to secure them and make them stable, put 15
mm black screws in
-Drill on to the attached wooden sticks using o.5 mm twist
drill bit and expand on it using the countersink drill bit
-Use a screw driver to screw the screws in. Make sure
they are even with the wooden stick
d) Place the drawers in the slider to test function
e) Attach the top panel after completing the entire inside of
the storage compartment

3. The tomb Band Saw Acrylic Paint

a) Take 4 oak planes 1 in thick and draw the tomb shape Pencil
b) Paint them using acrylic color Ruler
c) Cut the planes using band saw Oak wood
Use butt joint to fix all the planes together
Wood engraving Ruler Oak plane
a) Make sure the Oak plane is at least 1 in thick and draw out Engineer Square Pencil
the design you want engraved on the flat plane. Make Electric wood miller
sure the width is 1 cm, and not less or more
b) Take the electric milling tool and carefully carve over the
drawing of the wooden plane
13. Painting the tomb Brush Acrylic Paint
Paint the entire tomb blue using acrylic paint
14. Place the tomb over the storage compartment however do not N/A N/A
attach as it will be easier to shift the product later
15. Final touches N/A N/A

Gantt Chart
Steps Task Timeline
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

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1 Collect all
available
materials
2 Source
unavailable
materials
3 Marking the
storage
compartment
4 Marking the
drawer
compartment
5 Marking the
handles
6 Cut all the
marked pieces
7 Joining the
storage
compartment
8 Joining the
drawers
together
9 Joining the
drawers to the
storage
compartment
10 Wood
engraving
12 Painting the
tomb

13 Final touches

Flow Chart
I created a flow chart in
order to represent all the
steps and decision I will
make during the
manufacturing process. In
order to understand the
steps and differentiate
between the decisions, I
have used different
shapes. The rectangles
show the steps and the
diamonds show the
decisions with the
solutions for both ‘yes’ and
‘no’ situations. This makes
the process easier to
interpret with it visually
represented in this
diagram format.

23

Strand (ii): Manufacturing Process
1. I am assembling the wooden
panels to see the measurement.
As you can see, I am wearing an
apron to maintain safety.
4. I snipe the top of the nails using
a plier and proceed to hammer the
nails completely in so that they
have a minimal appearance
7. After the assembly, I sand
the drawer using an electric
flat sander in order to make
them fit perfectly inside the
storage component.
2. I have proceeded to join the panel. I
am using an adhesive as an initial form
of joining before moving on to more
strong joints.
5. Through the same process of
adhesives, and butt joints, I have added
the divider and the shelf.
8. I needed to attach the wooden stick
that will hold the drawers in place. I do
that by first drilling onto the wooden
stick with a hand drill and a 0.5 mm
twist drill bit.
hfg558
3. I am hammering 2d nails on the
an 8mm MDF panel. I only
hammer them half way through
for the butt joint.
6. To make the drawers, I use butt
joints again. I am hammering the nails
from out outer side of the panel which
has the groove to make the drawer
slide.
9. Then I proceed on to using a
countersink drill bit in order make a
smooth and even furnace for the 1/4”
matte black screws.
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10. Now I needed to secure the wooden
supporters. I did this be screwing the
screws in tightly using a screw driver.
11. As some screws weren’t fully inside,
they were preventing the drawer from
sliding smoothly. In order to solve this
problem, I used a flat sander to file the
extra part.
12. After adding the top on the
storage compartment, I started
work on the dome. To give it a
round shape, I nailed two circular
wooden pieces to the front and
back.

13. The two circular pieces had an inner
circular piece attached to support the top.
A very thin piece of ply was then joined on
top using adhesive and nails.
14. With the top attached, the
main body was ready and
therefore I sanded the piece
entirely using an electric flat
sander.
15. The next step was to add engraving
in the front of the dome. I drew a
design on 2D design and laser printed it
out.

16. I stuck the laser printed pieces using
adhesives and cut the extra part out
using a Tenon saw. I sanded the top
using a sanding block.
17. This is how the product looked after
the structure was completely built,
without the paint and the drawer
handles in.
18. Then I proceeded onto
painting the dome which was
supposed to be blue. I used
acrylic paint for this and did
two coats in order to produce
an even coat.

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19. After painting the dome, I started to 20. The yellow oak stain didn’t look 21. Finally, I added the metal
stain the body which was supposed to be authentic and many brush strokes were handles by drilling and
oak. I started staining using yellow oak stain. visible. Hence, I decided to add walnut screwing the handles in the
stain and mix it with yellow oak. middle.
Strand
(iii):
Solution

The front view of the

product with the
drawers open and a
few things kept in the
storage
compartments

The side
view,
showing
the
wood
stain

The drawer opened, containing stationary

26
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Strand (iv): Changes made to solution

Initial Plan Change made Justification

To use walnut Used MDF instead Expensive hardwoods weren’t available in the workshop, therefore I
and oak for and stained later decided to use MDF instead. However, I did not want to change the
main body appearance and decided that I will stain the wood with wood stain once the
structure is built.
Using cherry Used rosewood Although in my initial plan I had cherry in the drawer fronts and as cherry
stain for all over the stain wasn’t available in the workshop or the market, I used the next
drawer fronts drawer nearest thing possible of rosewood stain. This had a different color
however it did match with the overall look of the product.
Using Oak Staining the As the reason, why walnut wood was only being used only in the drawer
wood for the entire outer part front was because it is an expensive wood. However, as now MDF was
drawer with with rose wood being used all over the product, there was no problem achieving a look of a
drawer front hardwood with the stain. Hence, the side parts of the drawers were also
made of stained with rosewood.
Cherry
To make Used ready-made Making wooden handles and then attaching them to the drawers wouldn’t
drawer metal handles have been secure and a metal handle would also be easily attached while
handles with instead giving a firm support. It also went with the aesthetic of the entire structure
wood including the tones of the wood and the style of tomb.
To make a Made a round Although in my initial idea I drew up a complex structure, in the workshop I
pointed tomb tomb realized that wasn’t possible due to no flexi ply being available. However,
for the top there was a thin piece of ply which made a round tomb possible. This
change although makes a significant difference from the initial plan and
final result in appearance, the purpose and effect of it is the same- to give a
traditional aesthetic.
Have the Reduced the As the only function of the top was to add aesthetic value, it did not make
height of the height sense to make a big structure. There I decided to reduce the height of the
tomb tall tomb and attach it to storage compartment.

Changes made in the manufacturing process

Initial Plan Change made Explanation

Use an electric Laser printing I did decide to use an electric miller in my manufacturing process,
miller to do however, while working in the workshop and seeing how laser printing
engraving was incorporated into other designs I realized that I could easily
incorporate it into my design to show the engraving by printing small
designs out and sticking them to create the design.
Making the Attached it to the As now the height of the dome was removed, the tomb could easily be
tomb removable storage piece attached without adding extra weight to the entire piece. I attached two
circular wood pieces with inner wooden supporters on which I bent the
thin piece of ply and nailed it into the supporters to create the tomb. This
made the tomb attached to the storage compartment and not removable
as initially intended.

Strengths and weaknesses

Strengths Weaknesses

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1. Staining: Although staining on MDF could have
turned out as weakness as well, it worked in my
favor. The mixture of walnut and yellow oak
stain made the wood have a more authentic
look and helped me get my product near to the
initial idea.
2. Having access to electric and new technology:
Using technology like the laser machine and the
electric flat sander made my process faster and
more convenient.
1.Using 8mm MDF: I chose to use 8mm panels to
build my structure and that became a challenge
when I had to do the fixtures. In order to do the
butt joints, I had to hammer the nail right in the
center or it would come out. In order to do this, I
had to take the exact center and with 8mm MDF,
that was quite a difficult task.

CRITERION D- EVALUATION

Strand (i): Reflection

The entire process of creating this storage piece right from the research, design ideas, and the manufacturing
process was a great journey for me. Not only was I able to convert my ideas into products, I was able to develop
many new skills throughout the process. Finding the right solution for the client’s situation and then working on it in
the workshop, and doing all the professional steps made gain more interest into the subject. During the
manufacturing process, there were many times I was lost as to what next step to take and how to overcome a
problem. However, through all this I became familiar with tools and machines and how I could use them to solve an
obstacle, or just apply them to make my manufacturing process more convenient. The best part, however, was

28
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when I did last step in the manufacturing process and moved on to clicking the final pictures, knowing all the hard
work that I put into it during each step of the way.

Analysis of quality assurance and control measures

All these tests were planned to test the extent to which the product is able to withstand a basic interaction. As the
location would have a lot of people including employees, possible buyers, visitors etc. and the product would be
interacted with very often, these tests were necessary to see if the product would be able to cope with them.
Test How was it tested Level Test Analysis
(1-5)
User A few people were 5 The few people called just used the product generally and gave
Observation called to use to initial thoughts and if they faced any difficulties which none
product complained about. In fact, many thought the product looked
polished.
Expert A wood working 4 According to the specialist the working of the product was
Appraisal specialist reviewed comfortable, however it was the details that were the problem.
and used the Some corners were not completely even and properly sanded.
product Furthermore, he suggested that the stain should have been
more even. He also suggested that a lighter colour be used in
the engravings to make it stand out.
The ability of Different items 5 When different items with different sizes and weights were
the shelves weighing up to 7 kept, the drawers and the shelves successfully withstood them.
and drawers to kgs were kept on None of the butt joints broke or even fractured. In fact, the
hold heavy each drawer and drawers could hold even more than 7 kg of the combined
pieces (up to 7 shelf to see the weight of the items and was able to function properly.
kgs) strength

The evenness Visual analysis and 3 Upon closer inspection, it was revealed that the tomb on the
of the acrylic feedback from top which was painted blue with acrylic paint could have a few
painting wood working more coats and an even layer. The specialist also suggested that
specialist painting be done more carefully with the usage of masking
taped to cover the area where paint is not wanted. That will
make the overall look more neat and professional.
The User observation 5 The drawers were an aspect that were expected to give some
functioning of and feedback from challenge during the manufacturing process therefore they
the drawers (if wood working were given special attention during the process. The drawer
they open and specialist runners were made out of wood and were aligned perfectly
close with the groove on the sides. This helped them run smoothly
smoothly) and therefore both the user and the wood working specialist
did not feel any difficulty in the functioning of the drawers and
felt they were comfortable.
Angles of the Assessed through 3 The basic body of the product was all right angled however, the
sides and the engineer shelves were not completely aligned ad gave a tilted look when
joints of the square to see if assessed in detail. This was because thin wood was used and
shelves they were right some nails were not in the centre, shifting the alignment. This
angles could have been avoided through the use of a thicker wood or if
the nails were put exactly in the centre. The former would have
been easier to do.
Client Survey sent to the 4 When the client was presented with the final product, all
feedback client with aspects of the product were revealed with follow up questions.
(more detailed questions about all The client was pleased with aesthetics and functioning of the
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below) aspects product and even the size. The concerns lay again in the
staining and the evenness of the paint. Another aspect the
client wished to be better were the materials. Would have
appreciated more authentic materials in order to better
represent the company.
Analysis of overall testing:
The quality assurance tests revealed that there no problems in the functioning of the product, but rather in little
details that should have been addressed to during the manufacturing of the product. Furthermore, the tests also
reveal that the basic requirements are being fulfilled by the product successfully and meets most of the things that
the client asked for.

Strand (ii): Evaluation against design specification

Aspect and Details Met/
Not met
Client: The product should be age-appropriate Met
for people which are in the range of 25-60,
and a combination of different genders,
ethnicity, and socio-economic background.
Target Market: The product should be Met
versatile to use by a number of target
markets including corporate, and living for
people interested in Indian furniture, and
multi-storage compartments
Function: The product should be able to Met
communicate the purpose and vision of the
company through the use of different aspects
which could be visual, informational, or a
synthesis and should also be able to double as
a storage system.
Materials: The materials of the product need Not met
to be authentic as to build on visual appeal
and aesthetics, and also should be strong
enough to be long lasting, and durable.
Ergonomics and size: There are no limits as Partially
such on the size however should be Met
convenient to use for people up to 6 feet.
Location: The product is not bound to any Met
constraints of style, height, size etc. due to
the available space being large enough.
However, the product needs to follow
industrial principles in order to be in cohesion
with the rest of the room.
Justification
All the aspects of the product are versatile and not
limited to a specific group of people. The aesthetics
are pleasing and not restricted and contribute to the
look of the reception.
The aesthetics also allow the product to be versatile
and would appeal to anyone interested in traditional
Indian aesthetic opening a big market. Furthermore,
the storage compartments also provide the
opportunity for all types of storage.
The reason to incorporate traditional Indian styles was
because the product needed to incorporate the
purpose of the company and that was established
successfully. Furthermore, the three drawers in two
different shelves also fulfill the function of storage.
As the materials in the design idea were not available
in the workshop, other materials were used which did
not incorporate the same aesthetic and other
qualities. However, they were stained and painted to
accomplish the look.
The size of the piece is completely appropriate for the
functions and there is no problem in the usage part
either. However, the piece would have to be kept
somewhere elevated in order for it to be used
comfortably.
As the main thing in regards to location was the
product to incorporate industrial principles in order to
e in cohesion with the interiors and the tomb has
ensured that. The blue gives an accent color to the
reception enhancing rest of the interior.

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Aesthetics: The product should have a visually
appealing factor incorporated through the
use of Mughal Indian furniture style. Warm
color palettes should be mainly used and
should include the unique designs of Mughal
heritage to add more visual appeal.
Met Although the shape of the tomb changed, which is the
main thing adding aesthetic value to the product,
Mughal aesthetics are still being met through the new
round shape. The engraving was successfully put
through laser cutting and gives a beautiful traditional
Indian look.

Finishing: The product should mostly have a
natural finish of the materials
Environmental considerations: The product
needs to be environmental friendly and
efficient through incorporating recyclable and
long-lasting materials.
Health and Safety: Basic safety precautions
need to be incorporated such as soft edges,
inflammable materials, and no dangerous
parts that could cause any sort of injury.
Productivity: The product needs to efficiently
communicate the purpose of the company
through an innovative method.
Met The finishing has been done as it was planes. Natural
finishes have been done through sanding and other
materials have shown through stain and the tomb has
been painted blue with acrylic.
Partially As the material for the product changed during the
Met manufacturing, environmental consideration could
only be partially met as the new materials did
incorporate the properties required but weren’t as
durable.
Met The product does not include any sharp edges as all
edges have been sanded or filed and no flammable
materials have been used to build the product and
does not project any direct ways of harm.
Met The tomb and the storage compartment show
materials has the company manufactures and the
Indian aesthetic they follow. The product gives a
preview of what the company is about successfully.

Evaluation of the product against the design brief

I will be creating a storage piece for a client who requires a ‘statement piece’ to fill the blank corner in
his newly constructed office. It has two primary functions, to bring a personalized touch that
represents the ‘mission’ and ‘values’ of the company in order to motivate employees and form
impression on potential buyers, and second, to be able to store magazines/ books etc. and hence, the
size should be in between medium-large. The storage piece should be able to incorporate the client’s
work of ‘exporting Indian furniture to the world’ through representation of the Mughal style. This can
be achieved by using the royal color schemes, using materials like ivory to decorate, and/ or
engravings. It should be made out of hardwoods like teak in order to represent Indian furniture and
should blend into the theme of Industrial interiors by incorporating tones of grey, sienna, blues, greens,
and oranges. The product should have a strong visual appeal with creative synthesis and should be
able to appeal to the employees in the office.

The product is definitely an eye-catching piece and would stand out in the reception. It is not restricted to a corner
and can be put in a range of places. It personalises the purpose of the company through the incorporation of the
tomb. As the company exports Indian furniture with traditional styles, the product has incorporated that through its
aesthetics. The tomb has also been given a blue colour that not only add a royal tone to the overall look, but also
enhance the Mughal aesthetic. The design was altered during the manufacturing by reducing the height and
changing the shape of the tomb to round. This did not limit any aspects, but added to the productivity. The aesthetic
could be done by a small tomb and there was no need to waste material etc. It also goes with the industrial interiors
through the incorporation of the blue colour. The natural finish of the storage compartment helps the tomb stand
out and allow for breathing space. More Mughal aesthetic was added through the ‘engraving’ which was done
through laser cutting small pieces and sticking them on the tomb. The beautiful aesthetics shall appeal to all users
including the employees and embodies the company and what they work towards. The other function of storage is
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also fulfilled as the large size of the product allowed into include three drawers and two different shelves which give
the opportunity for all kinds of storage. Although kept simple, the drawers were given a cherry finish to have an
overall appealing look while not taking up too much space. The size of the product also allows it to be visible in the
room which would be minimised with a smaller size. Overall, most of the aspects in the design brief have been
fulfilled and any changes are either due to unavailability of the material or they enhance the product in some aspect
and successfully meet what client demanded from the product.

Strand (iii): Timeline Comparison

KEY
Time planned
Time taken

Steps Task Timeline

Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
1 Collect all
available
materials
2 Source
unavailable
materials
3 Marking the
storage
compartment
4 Marking the
drawer
compartment
5 Marking the
handles
6 Cut all the
marked pieces
7 Joining the
storage
compartment
8 Joining the
drawers together
9 Joining the
drawers to the
storage
compartment
10 Wood engraving
12 Painting the tomb

13 Final touches

The timeline got extended a little bit more into the 4 th week of the manufacturing process due to some changes
made either in the product or I chose a different method to achieve a result. The most significant change is seen in
the 8th step where I had to join the drawers. This delayed the rest of my steps, delaying the final deadline.

Timeframe changes justified

The most significant delay is seen at the 8th step where I had to create the drawers. This was a very challenging task
with one of my attempts being a complete failure and me having to redo the entire three drawers. This obviously
extended the scheduled timeframe and pushes all the rest of the tasks forward.

Difficulties faced while creating the product

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1. The drawers: The most difficult task during the manufacturing of the product was the creation of drawers.
The first I took the measurements and put all three drawers together, they were not fitting in the
compartments and not sliding smoothly. There was no other solution to this than to re-make all the drawers
with new measurements. The new drawers fit and the groove on the side helped them slide in smoothly. The
wooden supporters on the side were also strong enough the hold the drawers in.
2. Painting the product: The product was made entirely of MDF, and the size was also huge. The entire outer
area required either painting or staining. The tomb was painted with acrylic and even after two coats, the
brush strokes were visible. The storage compartment was stained using yellow oak and walnut stain and the
staining of one wood stain alone is a task, this required me to be precise with the missing of the two stains
as they dry quickly not giving a chance to blend the stain properly.
3. Taking measurements: As the product was quite big in size, taking accurate measurements was quite
difficult. I used a big steel ruler to measure and mark, however sometimes missed precision by 4mm or so.
Taking precise measurements alone was quite difficult with the handling of huge wooden panels and holding
them in place alone.

Strand (iv): Client response to product

In order to understand the extent to which the product was able to meet what the client had in mind, it was
essential that I take client feedback on all aspects including aesthetics, materials, productivity etc. It would also give
me the opportunity to understand the overall thoughts of my client and evaluate possible improvements with more
detail and insight. Therefore, the client was called onto the workshop to see the product in person and use the
product to evaluate on it.

Which aspects was the product able to meet?

Incorporating the company ✓
Being in cohesion with the location and the ✓
interiors
Providing adequate storage ✓
Being an eye-catching piece ✓
Giving traditional Indian aesthetics ✓

Rate the extent to which the product was able to meet the following:

Feature SCORE
1 2 3 4 5
Comfortable functioning of the drawers ✓
Colour scheme that matches with industrial interior ✓
A polished look ✓
Mughal traditional look ✓

Are the drawers and shelves appropriate for the storage items you were looking to store?
The drawers are a good size and will be able to store most office things. The shelves on the other
hand are very big in depth and I feel there wasn’t a need for such deep shelves.

Was the change in shape of tomb for the better or worse?

The change in shape didn’t change much. The Mughal appearance was still there and the overall
look is appealing. The change in the size was also for the better because aesthetic was
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accomplished effectively with the size reduction.

Do you think the product was able to cater to the versatility of the user?
Yes, the product is not restricted and can appeal to everyone who comes into the office. Does not
have age limits or cultural limits which is good because clients for the company are of all
nationalities.

What is the aspect that you liked the most in the product?
The engraving is the best part because it is done very professionally and looks very polished. The
blue colour also suits the whole look and gives good aesthetic.

What are some aspects you think could be improved?

Authentic materials rather than the stain would have been better because the company uses
authentic materials only so that would embody in the product better. Also, the stain looks
unfinished and authentic materials could have helped that.
Analysis of the client’s response
Most of the requirements of the clients were fulfilled by the client in terms of the aesthetics and
function, which were the main purpose of the product. However, it was in the details that the client
hoped the product could have been improved. These were details which could’ve been added if I
had planned the possibilities of sourcing materials and been more careful during the manufacturing
process. However, overall, I was able accomplish a good storage product with eye-catching
aesthetics with respect to the location it would be kept in. The client was also impressed by the fact
that the piece contained three drawers and explained that in his business they charge extra for
each and was very happy with the fact that I was able to achieve a smooth mechanism.

Possible Improvements
1. Staining
According to both the expert wood working specialist and the
client, the product lacked in the staining. This could have been
improved through a more even coat or the usage of authentic
materials which was not possible due to unavailability of
materials.

2. Accurate Measurements
Due to inaccurate measurements, there were a few wrong angles
on the corners which could have been avoided by planning the
cutting list carefully and the product would have ended up with a
more professional look.

3. Environmental Considerations

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As environmental considerations were not given much priority and could have been added through
the use of scrap wood and durable materials. This would have been better for the overall use of the
product and market value.

4. Authentic Materials
As the workshop did not have some of the hardwoods in the design, the product switched to MDF
which made the product fall short in other aspects. This could have been avoided if the planning for
the sourcing of the materials would have been done properly.

5. Visible brush strokes

An even coat all over the wood several times would have prevented
the brush strokes which are visible. This makes the product look
unprofessional and unfinished and could have been prevented with a
few extra coats.

APPENDIX
A: Productivity in workplace
How does the lack of motivation affect employee productivity?
Employee motivation is of great important as more motivated an employee, the more likely he/she is to complete
the work to its greatest potential. This can be damaging to the growth of the company as it affects the following
factors:
• Commitment
• Satisfaction
• Development
• Efficiency

Employee motivation and lack of big picture view

Employees need to connect the purpose of the company in order to feel that what they do is important and adds
value to the company. It brings inclusion and brings a sense of belonging than just a source of income.

Importance of reception
‘The link between you and your customer’
Most visitors form an opinion about a company and its potential by looking at the reception area. The importance if
reception furniture goes beyond just beautifying the area and must have utility too.

B: Research on Indian furniture styles

History of Indian Furniture
India in itself is a large country, full of diverse people and traditions. However, what we consider ‘Indian Furniture’
has been developed over a course of time with influence from all around the world. Some of the styles are Mughal,
Goanese, Indo-Dutch, and traditional-English.

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Mughal
These styles were mainly found in Northern India and featured furniture like tablets and
writing desks. They used rich hardwoods like ebony with inlaid bone or
ivory to accessorize it. It has a very royal aspect as it includes detailed
wood work like carving.
Goanese
Portuguese-influences Goanese style has large furniture for example
cabinets. This was to the south (where Portuguese rule was
Fig 37. Pt.43 Pg. 38 established. The furniture includes inlaid and incised (cut into the
wood) geometric decorations.
Indo-Dutch
Mostly maid on the island of Java (colonized by the Dutch) had Fig 38. Pt.44, pg.38
two styles. In one, the furniture is made using light colored
hardwoods with incised and inlaid decorations. In the other, dark
woods like ebony are used and decorated with elaborate carved
florals.
Traditional English
As British Raj was established, English styles started dominate
Fig 39. Pt.45 pg. 38 Indian furniture with traditional styles such as Chippendale ad
Sheraton. However, some traditional elements were still intact like
dhuries (cotton/wool woven rugs) and bolsters (long/large cushions used for support)
Summary
Each style has unique properties from its origin place. However, a quality which is seen in Fig 40. Pt.46, pg. 38
every style and makes it ‘Indian’ is the use of material. Indian craftsmen have always and
still use hardwoods like teak, ebony, and ‘Shisham’. European styles have also adopted Indian decoration like ‘ivory’
to add a royal aspect.

C: Industrial interiors
This look is about displaying those aspects that many conceal. Creating a combination of pieces that are both about
function and utility, and also style and aesthetics. The industrial design includes neutral tones, utilitarian objects,
and wood, metal surfaces. This look is about including few key traits and statements to create the look. Some of the
examples include:
Exposed pipes: A signature element of this look, pipes and ducts
once were a feature that always remained hidden. This strategy is
now looked upon as liberating and has started gaining much
popularity since the concept of turning warehouses to living
spaces.
Wood and metal surfaces: A combination of wood and metal can be
incorporated in an industrial look anywhere. From ceilings to
staircases and windows and to essentially balance these bold
choices, the most common colours chosen are earthy tones
neutrals to accompany them.
Fig 41. Pt.11 pg. 38 Vintage Accessories: Like surfaces, much of industrial furniture is Fig 42. Pt.12 pg. 38
also metal meets wood. Many pieces are vintage, while others are
inspired by old factories and warehouses. Additionally, vintage and rustic lighting is also used to add to look.

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D: Analysis of reception space

Tones of sienna and

orange are present

Plant adds green

tone

Use of hardwoods in
door
Use of hardwoods in
Self-clicked
Floor adds grey tone door
adding to industrial
theme
Self-clicked

Blank and boring

corner currently
being used for
storage

E: Link to survey
https://goo.gl/forms/if58nTxa7NXSuh143

F: Evaluation of materials
Throughout all my research I have seen a constant trend of ‘hardwoods’ in Indian furniture. Therefore, I researched
the most popular hardwoods used in India such as teak, shisham, ebony, and rosewood in order to evaluate the
benefits of each. This will help me choose the correct material when I will develop ideas.

Teak Wood
Teak is one of the most valuable timber trees in the world with a number of
benefits. With its yellowish color, it gives a great aesthetic and also has logistical
qualities. It does not corrode and is not attacked by white ants. Furthermore, it is
also used easily in workshop and is durable and fire resistant.

Rosewood Fig 43. Pt.39 pg. 39

With its dark color, it takes up a high polish and
throughout the years it is able to maintain its shape. It is used for furniture which
is of highest quality, cabinet work, ornamental carvings etc. Found in Kerala,
Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Orissa.

Fig 44. Pt.40 pg. 39

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Shisham Wood
Gives a beautiful aesthetic due to its irregular grain structure and can be polishes
to a fine finish. It is strong and durable, and can be maintained easily throughout
time. It is ideal for decorative carvings. Fig. 45 Pt.6 pg. 39

Ebony wood
Very rich color provides an exotic and royal feel in the
room. It has the ability to be carved by craftsmen. Has a history of being a lustrous material
around the world and is mainly used for its aesthetic appeal.

Fig 46. Pt.27 pg. 39

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