An area I am interested in taking my furniture concept is manipu-lating the process of creating ve-neers as both a surface texture and form. A place I am starting this process from the manipulation of the graphical textures I created within the research phase of the project. The next direction I can look into to apply this to my de-sign is how I can create this effect through the process or through finishing techniques.

PROS

-Veneers do not expand and con-tract like that of solid timbers -Different timbers produce different wood grain effects depending on the species and process used-Cheaper than solid timber, less material used than in comparison with solid timbers-Recycle and renewable (I hope to use sustainably sourced NZ pine)

CONS

-Character of the wood grain may be destroyed or compromised-Wood may be entirely hidden by a surface veneer-Furniture may lose traditional as-sociations of value

A veneer refers to thin slices of wood that are often glued together to create the likes of ply wood, MDF and other flat panels.

There are three different ways in which Veneers can be madeRotary lathe; the wood is turned against a sharp blade in a continuous rollSlicing machine; where the wood is raised up and down against a machine to make slices. This is cut across the growth rings and is often called ‘crown cut’. Often looks like sawn wood.Half round lathe; which is a lathe in which the wood can be turned and moved to expose the most in-teresting part of the grain. (Wikipedia)

The Room99 Method tables (Ferndale Furniture) are a good example of how the combination of wooden ply and veneers are used to make contemporary furniture. The furniture here is made aimed as mid-dle to high cost designs to be placed into the marketplace. The table is made of ply and veneers which are easy to mass pro-duce with little cost and great efficiency, something I hope to implement in my own design process and production technique of using ply and veneers to create quality products.

Environmental aspects I have considered in regards to using veneers in my design is that of waste product from the production process. This problem was also highlighted during our visit to Ferndale Furniture’s factory. Unfortu-nately due to the intended form of my design I feel like this is unavoidable, however effective layout of cuts on material and the use of biodegradable glues may lessen the impact of this waste.

Because New Zealand has such a strong association with its natural envi-ronment and quality products I would like to keep manufacture within New Zealand if this would be taken onto a mass-produced scale. Because my form is fairly simple it is unlikely that many different people would be needed to make each piece, and this allows small businesses to become a possibil-ity for manufacture.

As a mass produce item I feel my stool would be fairly economical to make. There are two important considerations to consider however that I would like to implement if I had a chance;-local production of furniture-local sourcing of materials

By mass-producing my furniture I feel like I would lose some of the personal touch that adds to the character of the design. Using local companies to supply and build the pieces this would mean I could more closely monitor the development of the furniture and also create more jobs in the local industry. I do not feel that this is too much to ask as the materials I intend on using such as pine ply wood and veneers are relatively cheap in comparison to solid timbers.

My furniture would go through a process of being cut into pieces, stacked and glued before a final layer of veneer is applied on top.

Looking back on the research stage of my project I noticed that one of the key details I carried out through each concept was that of detailing through texture. The textures I was looking at previously in all concepts have a strong reference to both three-dimensional physical textures and flatter graphical textures. In each case I also made reference to form relative to these textures so from here on in I would like to focus on the manipulation of texture to inform my design process. One way I thought I could carry out an investiga-tion on textures and form is by looking at the manipulation of wood grain or other textures found on veneers. I really need help narrowing down my project as I feel like I am still at concept stage.

I may need to get help from Nan or Joneen in regards to creating a more concise project, I often get lost in my own ideas and so my concept becomes confusing to others. I will also need advise from someone who has experience with different types of wood grain and surface textures, most likely someone from the workshop should be able to help me initially.

Ferndale Furniture. “Room99.” 11 December 2012. Room99; Quality Contemporary Furniture made in New Zealand. Ferndale Furniture. 11 December 2012 <http://room99.co.nz/imaging/fetch_image.php?image_id=12&mode=fill&force=y&w=405&h=405>.Wikipedia. Wood veneer. 11 December 2012. 11 December 2012 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wood_veneer>.