Course Title: INTDSN 60, Contemporary Furniture
Units: 3
Date Submitted: Feb., 1996
Updated: April, 2007
IGETC Area:
CSU GE Area:
Transfer:

1. Catalog Description:

   Prerequisite: None

   This course is a comprehensive slide/lecture study of 20th century furniture and the decorative arts from the turn of the century 1900 styles through the most current international designs today. Emphasis is on furniture designers, styles, materials, ornament, and techniques. Course is directed toward careers in interior design, furniture design, set design and art direction, and wholesale/retail sales in residential and commercial design.

2. Required Text and References:
   • Fiell, Charlotte; Fiell, Peter; 1000 Chairs Taschen; 25 Spl Anv edition (May 30, 2005) ISBN-10: 382284103X
   • No author; “Vitra Design Museum Collection “ Poster, 840 x 1190 mm, 224 photos ; Publisher: Vitra Design Museum GmbH, ISBN: None (The poster ”Vitra Design Museum Collection” provides a comprehensive overview of the museum's collection.)
3. Course Objectives:

   Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

   1. Identify and analyze the characteristics of major 20th century furniture periods and styles.
   2. Use correct terminology to describe furniture parts, materials, construction, craftsmen, ornament, and finishes.
   3. Understand a glossary of modern furniture terms.
   4. Place in correct chronological sequence chair styles of each decade of the 20th century.
   5. Recognize and identify contemporary American and international furniture designers and their works.
   6. Identify major furniture manufacturers and contemporary product lines.
4. Student Learning Outcome(s):

   The student will:

   1. Students will recognize and identify a variety of contemporary American and international furniture designers and their works from photographic images.
   2. Students will develop research projects and presentations analyzing contemporary American and international furniture from structural, ergonomic, economic, manufacturing, stylistic, and aesthetic standpoints.
5. Methods of Presentation:
   
   1. Lecture/discussion together with comprehensive slide survey.
   2. Presentation of additional support visuals: contemporary films and videos, pertinent handouts and drawings, construction materials and finishes, and furniture pieces.
   3. Field study to contemporary trade showrooms.
   4. Quizzes and tests.
   5. Student project presentations.
6. Course Content:
   

   Percentage of Term / Topic

       
   • 5%     exampleListCourseContentItem
   • 10%   exampleListCourseContentItem
   • 10%   Introduction to contemporary furniture design.
   • 18%   History and development: Precedents for contemporary furniture and architectural context. Characteristics and identification of important designers, periods and styles.
   • 18%   Contemporary furniture vocabulary: Correct terminology for the description of furniture parts, materials, construction, craftsmen, ornament, and finishes.
   • 18%   Industrial technology and materials: Impacts on contemporary furniture design, manufacturing and cost.
   • 18%   Ergonomics: Impacts on contemporary furniture design. Health and productivity as functional and stylistic determinants.
   • 18%   State of the art: Field study of contemporary furnishings via showrooms
   • 100% Total
7. Methods of Evaluation:
   

   (Actual point distribution will vary from instructor to instructor but approximate values are shown.)

   Topic / Percentage

   • Quizzes:  7: (Six Quizzes are for credit; students may drop one quiz.)
     • Vitra Design Museum Collection Poster: (each quiz will be a slide visual recognition of two complete horizontal lines; know the last name of the designer or designers.) (A list of the designers will be provided.)
     • Each quiz is worth 20 points:  120 points total
   • Tests: 5: Four tests are for credit; students may drop one test. 40 points Total
     • Each test is worth 50 points:  200 points total
   • Field Study:  (required of all students, Must visit an actual location)
   • Choice of Either a Reference Notebook or a 3-D Project:
   • Notebook Project: (includes a 20 point oral presentation on a designer related to your background/nationality)  140 points Total

   OR:

   • 3-D Project
     • Project:  100 pts.
     • Report w/sequence visuals  20 pts.
     • Oral  20 pts.
     • Total:  140 points Total
   • TOTAL POINTS FOR CLASS:  500 POINTS
   • Grades are determined on a percentage basis:
   • Grading:
   • A = 91% to 100%
   • B = 81% to 90%
   • C = 71% to 80%
   • D = 61% to 70%
   • F = Below 60%