Japanese design is distinguished by the use of neutral tones, simple lines, organic materials and heavy hard wood. Most tables are low, inviting guests to sit on cushions on the floor, and beds are traditionally low wooden platforms. Japanese antiques often feature elaborate metalwork or paintings depicting elements of nature; these are commonly painted onto wood panels and the rice-paper of divider shoji screens. To make Japanese furniture designs, all these elements must be taken into consideration. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Research in books and online to get an understanding of what Japanese furniture looks like, as well as the materials commonly used to build it. Rice-derived materials, such as rice straw for making tatami mats and rice paper for lamps and shoji screens, are used widely. Persimmon wood is extensively used for paneling traditional Japanese chests and dividing screens. Bamboo is also a common wood used in Japanese furniture design.
2. Sketch ideas that come to mind while doing your research. These will be very useful when you are ready to begin the actual design process. If you are using magazines, make cut-outs of furniture pieces that inspire you.
3. Set up your drafting table with adequate drafting paper and decide what scale you will be working at. Make several drawings depicting the furniture piece from different angles; the scale should remain the same for all the drawings. Use a drafting pencil on your preliminary drawings so it is easy to make changes in the evolution of your design. Trace over with a drafting pen when the final draft is finished.
4. Make a model of the furniture piece by cutting foam core based on the measurements given in your drawings. Use white glue to bind the cut pieces together. You can change the scale of the model to make the piece slightly bigger, to get a feel for what it will look like in actuality.
5. Make changes to drawings, if needed, after studying the model of the furniture piece you have designed. Otherwise you are ready to hire a furniture maker or add your design to your portfolio.
Tags: furniture piece, Japanese furniture, model furniture, model furniture piece, shoji screens, your design