kavuus - industrial design (supervisor)
Sept 2017 - Present
Furniture Design
As the nature of CAD work at Kavuus is confidential, I will not be able to share any projects visually.
However, I can provide a description of the work I’ve done as well as final product images of my designs.
overview
Researching and analyzing furniture industry trends
Establishing product development requirements
Analyzing the intended use of the product
Conducting research on cost, properties of production material, and method of production
Developing manual and computer-assisted design (CAD) concepts, sketches, or models for approval - new collection design
Preparing manufacturing drawings, specifications, and guidelines for production and constructing prototypes of designs - CAD design for CNC
Consulting with engineers and production staff during the manufacturing stage
Production management on sewing, fabric, and the upholstery departments
In my role as an Industrial Designer at Kavuus, I am intricately engaged in the holistic creation of ergonomic, aesthetically pleasing, and enduring designs. Commencing as an Industrial Designer, I dedicated my initial months to comprehensively immersing myself in our company's operations, embarking from the vantage point of sales. At the forefront of operations, I provided invaluable design consultations to customers, expertly guiding them through their decision-making process. This experience offered insights into the multifaceted considerations end-users weigh before investing in a pivotal element of their living space.
Armed with this customer-centric perspective, I underwent rigorous training in Kavuus's distinct design approach and product construction techniques. My innate ability to track and align with market trends fuels my aspiration to manifest innovative ideas while upholding Kavuus's core values. These values encompass exceptional quality, affordability, and unparalleled customization. My unwavering attention to detail is epitomized in the meticulous synergy I cultivate among various elements—dimensions, fabrics, frames, and bases—comprising exceptional furniture pieces. Each new design takes into account labor and material costs, ensuring optimal quality-to-cost ratios.
Kavuus, a local full-service furniture retailer operating within the e-commerce realm, takes pride in our in-house manufacturing, allowing us to maintain unwavering quality consistency. This integrated approach empowers us to offer our customers remarkable customization options alongside reasonable pricing.
My role as an Industrial Designer does not pertain to only design. I am in charge of idea sketches, concept designs, prototypes, consultation with the production team, CAD designs, collaboration with the CNC team, training and supervision of seamstresses, upholsterers, foam department, and Quality & Assurance.
In the process of designing new collections, several critical factors demand meticulous consideration:
Ergonomic Dimensions: Ensuring the new design aligns with established ergonomic standards.
Infrastructure Compatibility: Assessing our capacity to effectively bring the design to life.
Time and Cost Analysis: Evaluating the time and cost implications of the new design, including labor and material requirements.
Construction Approach: Determining whether the frame will be bolt-on or one-piece design.
Seamstress-Friendly Patterns: Creating fabric patterns that facilitate efficient sewing.
Material Selection: Deciding between foams or feathers based on intended usage.
Upholsterer Efficiency: Crafting designs to expedite the upholstery process.
Frame Structure: Choosing between webbing or spring construction.
Design Cohesion: Ensuring the new design harmonizes with existing collections or stands independently.
Customer Feedback Integration: Incorporating customer feedback to refine the design.
While numerous considerations define the design process, my primary focus centers on:
Purpose-Driven Design: Designing with a clear intent and functional purpose in mind.
Efficiency in Execution: Developing designs that streamline sewing and upholstery processes.
Aesthetic Simplicity: Crafting visually appealing and uncomplicated designs.
These aspects collectively contribute to creating impactful and thoughtfully designed collections.
Below are designed I’ve created:
Lenon
In the conception of Lenon, two pivotal considerations guided the design process: achieving a distinctive aesthetic and optimizing manufacturability. During the manufacturing phase, a bolt-on style frame paired with a tight back design, eliminating loose back cushions, was adopted. This streamlined approach, coupled with a slip-on style fabric pattern, epitomizes efficient upholstered furniture design. Lenon's construction is remarkably streamlined, consisting of four primary frame components: two arms, one deck, and one back, seamlessly integrating just thirteen fabric pieces. This design stands in stark contrast to conventional collections, which typically necessitate between 25 to 40 fabric pieces for a single sofa. Remarkably, despite its reduced labor and material demands, Lenon stands as one of Kavuus's top-selling designs.
Austin
Distinguished from Kavuus's existing collections, the Austin collection stands out prominently due to its distinctive low arms. This intentional design feature allows users to utilize the armrest as a makeshift headrest when reclining, effectively offering an additional sofa bed-like functionality. This innovation responds to the growing demand for multi-functional furniture, particularly in the context of compact living spaces.
While Kavuus already offers a sophisticated sofa bed design that unfolds into a bed through a mechanical mechanism, this solution might occupy more space than optimal within smaller residences. To address this challenge, I conceived the Austin collection. The incorporation of low arms not only introduces a visually unique element to the living environment but also serves a practical purpose. It provides a versatile space for relaxation and unwinding, offering enhanced functionality while minimizing the spatial footprint in the compact living room setting.
Kien
Meticulously curated, the Kien sofa design elegantly combines classic aesthetics with intuitive functionality. Featuring a variety of pillows, this design strikes a harmonious chord between timeless comfort and modern style preferences. Drawing on insights from customer preferences, the inclusion of a rectangular side pillow seamlessly integrates into the Kien's design. This informed choice aligns with our research that showcases a penchant for collections featuring side pillows, elevating the sofa's appeal to a discerning audience.
The Kien's distinct edge and clean lines epitomize a sophisticated simplicity that resonates with contemporary sensibilities. With its removable seat, the sofa not only enhances convenience but also underscores its user-centric approach, promising easy maintenance and longevity. The design epitomizes Kavuus's commitment to crafting furniture that thoughtfully combines form and function. It's a testament to our dedication to providing pieces that stand the test of time while seamlessly integrating with modern lifestyles.
Evelyn
Evelyn stands as a masterpiece of adaptable design, marrying versatility with aesthetic innovation. Its tight seats and back offer a minimalist canvas for individual expression, allowing customers to infuse their distinct styles into their living spaces. Intentional lack of traditional pillows encourages customization. This deliberate decision empowers customers to curate their sofa's appearance with fabric textures, colors, and accessories that reflect their unique preferences.
The modular nature of the Evelyn collection adds another layer of flexibility. Each piece can be artfully arranged to suit changing needs, amplifying its adaptability to diverse lifestyles. In essence, Evelyn encapsulates Kavuus's commitment to creating furniture that transcends convention, providing individuals with the means to shape their surroundings in ways that reflect their personalities and enhance their living experiences.
Hannes
Belle
Dean
