Bronze Furniture Design · 2013
Cocktail Table
- A' Design Award 2013 Bronze Winner in Furniture Design
- Awarded April 15, 2013
- CLIENT: Mario J Lotti Architecture, PC
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 19,520
- Verification code 6E82AFB76A · Verify this award
About Cocktail Table
The design is a black cocktail table with interesting shadows that play off the black of the table. It is a timeless design that will fit with many styles. Artifacts can be displayed on the different levels below to change the appearance of the table while also keeping the table top clear. The table is a KD cash and carry design: purchase, bring home, and easily assembled by anyone. The design is beautiful, interesting to look at, but not obtrusive. Cocktail tables are normally in the center of activity, but should not become the center of attention - this table accomplishes just that
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The design is a geometric design of concentric squares, generally, a 1m square with a 0.6m hole on top of a 0.6m square with a 0.3m hole on top of a 0.3m square. - the black color of the table material and the shadows create interesting effects. The finish is a black lacquer finish that reads as a black with "depth". Items or artifacts can be display on the different levels below the table top to change the appearance of the table while also keeping the table top clear.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The table design is US dimensions - in metric units, that is 1 meter X 1 meter square and 0.5 meter high, 1/2 the horizontal table dimension. The design is concentric squares, reducing by 0.3 meters each level: 1m with a 0.6m hole over a 0.6m square with a 0.3m hole over a 0.3m square. The package is +/- 1.01m X 1.01m X 0.08m thick with a carry handle. The packaging is recycled and/or new cardboard with cardboard filler pieces. A simple tool is provided for assembling and dis-assembling the table.
- Tags
- Table, Cocktail Table, Occasional Table, Coffee Table, Tavolino, Table Basse, Meso De Centro
- Production Technology
- The table is made from plywood with a tempered glass top that is set flush with the table top. The legs meet the corners of the horizontal pieces such that the chamfer on the horizontal pieces match the width of the legs. There are special spring loaded fasteners that hold it together, which are the dowel like items in the images. Due to limitations on dimensional tolerances, the item is better suited for mass production in a factory.
Mass production, Plywood, Knock down furniture, Black, glass - Design Challenge
- The design process applied here has more to do with an experiment to prove a theory: The process of design may be accelerated by stripping it down to the fundamental components and working through them with intent, focusing on the design of the whole object at one time, and, if a problem is approached by considering the whole rather than considering each part, a coherent, harmonious and complete result may be achieved.
- Project Duration
- The design took a couple of months to develop and apply to a working drawing. Designed in NYC, USA.
- Operation Flow
- The table is a "knock down" piece of furniture. The table comes in a box flat packed and is cash and carry - It is easy assembly for anyone with the special "spring loaded fasteners" (not detailed here).
- Research
- The design process was an experiment in applying some design process theories I have. Basically, ways of using my mind to produce designs that are complete and appear as a unified complete design/ object, rather than appearing as an assemblage of parts. The design process may be used by anyone.
- Inspiration
- I wanted to design the "ultimate" cocktail table. Something that was beautiful to look at without becoming the center of attention of the room, a piece that can work with a variety of interior styles and a timeless design. The result is this table, which is a play of light, dark, shade and shadow.
Colors of Cocktail Table
Design Interview about Cocktail Table
It is to create a beautiful cocktail table that doesn't take over a room while also being compatible with a number of different design styles. Cocktail tables are often in the middle of a room or grouping of furniture so they are often in full view and can easily be a focal point.
I wanted to create a very interesting table to look at and interact with, up close and from afar - something beautiful and interesting that would not "take over" the room as a centerpiece, but rather "complete" the design of a space
I would like to see this table go into production - I think it would do well in the world market.
To design the table and construct the prototype it took approximately 2 months.
The design was auto inspired. A big part of the inspiration for the design for this table was an experiment to test a theory about how designers successfully handle a design challenge and achieve certain results. The theory is that a designer goes through certain stages in the development of a design for something specific - not only the technical steps in developing a design, but also the personal, emotional or mental part. By realizing this and intentionally practicing each step, a design may be achieved more quickly and the results more unified rather than appearing as an assemblage of parts.
I would like to sell or lease the production rights.
I wanted to test a theory and to design a beautiful and interesting cocktail table that was also a knock down product seem to be a good challenge to test the theory.
international mass market, specialty design, designer
It is knock down, meaning it can be purchased flat packed and carried home and then easily assembled. While the table is interesting to look as is is, the multi levels below the top are good for using the table as a display case. Artifacts can be placed on the levels below the glass top or a bowl of floors placed on the bottom square to give the table a different appearance.
It is a standardized name.
For this design, I used good old fashioned drafting table with a parallel edge, vellum, pencils and my mind.
The design and all of it's capabilities and qualities that make it a truly unique and outstanding piece of furniture
The fasteners that hold it together. They are under further development presently
Only about the design process - the personal process a designer goes through when confronted with a challenging design problem that is to achieve a specific result.
Design of the fasteners.
I thought it worthy of recognition and that I would use it to generate international and local interest in my work.
The theory I tested was proven. I now apply it when confronted with difficult design challenges