- conversational courses

- lectures on material science at the Faculty of Design, Academy of Fine Arts and at WTD SGGW in Warsaw

- individual projects

- group projects

- discussion and didactic dialogue

- knowledge of basic design concepts;

- associating relationships between form, function, and design of objects;

- knowledge of basic industrial technology;

- knowledge of technical drawing;

- three-dimensional modeling skills;

- successful completion of the second year;

The aim of the course is to deepen knowledge and skills in the field of furniture design, wide application of wood and wood-based materials. The exercises introduced develop information gathering, analysis, creation, construction, modeling, verbal, multimedia and drawing presentation skills. The student is taught how to use existing design methods and how to create new ones adjusted to the problem being worked on.

During the realization of given tasks the student learns to recognize and define the needs of future users, then tries to find an appropriate functional solution, construction and production technology. Depending on the exercise, the work begins with the observation of users' behaviour and problem recognition, or with learning about technology in the case of developing a new material. Then the analysis of collected information is carried out, to start creating design directions with functional and constructional solutions in the next stage. As a result of selection, a concept is chosen for final development. The implemented project is created by building rapid models and prototypes, which lead to the final solution.

It is essential that the student independently constructs the object from the beginning, learning from their mistakes in construction, ergonomics, material science and production technology. The studio's maxim is: Thinking by doing!

An important element is cooperation with craftsmen as part of the Design with Crafts programme run in cooperation with the Museum of Warsaw's Praga district. Each semester there is a project which is carried out with craftsmen in the fields of: blacksmithing, bomb-making, wood floor making, umbrella repairs, lampshade making, stucco work, etc. The project begins with a study visit to a selected workshop in order to learn about the manufacturing techniques, then the project is created at the design faculty under the supervision of the tutor and in close consultation with the producing craftsman.

Additionally, twice a semester, guest lectures on wood-based materials are held at the Faculty of Wood Technology of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences.

- evaluation of the artistic and technical level of the design solution;

- evaluation of the degree of innovation of the design solution;

- making a prototype in the target materials

- public lecture combined with multimedia presentation;

- evaluation of the quality of the public presentation of the project,

- graphic presentation of the project in the form of boards (mood board, visualizations, photos, design process, sketches). The board on offset paper, without foam backing. Basic format is A4. A3, A2, A1 and A0 formats are created by multiplying the A4 format. Each sheet should have a border for the board area. The signature plate should be located in the lower right corner. A3, A2, A1 and A0 formats are folded to A4.

- preparation of technical drawings of the designed techno - concept on the boards,

- evaluation of the degree of involvement in the project and the ability to effectively translate the instructions and guidelines obtained in the course of training, as a result of discussions and didactic dialogue (master-student relationship);

Grading scale - in accordance with the Study Regulations of the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw

Completion of a semester project in the form of a prototype and its public presentation. The semester project is designed to teach:

-design methods,

-object design skills,

-analytical skills,

-technical, constructional,

-drawing

- knowledge of wood materials,

- production techniques in small crafts workshops,

- ability to present a made object,

- ability to prepare a multimedia presentation,

Semester project is the realization of the subject on the assigned project topic. The emphasis should be placed on an innovative way of solving the design problem. The project is evaluated by the teacher.

Rob Thompson, „ Prototyping and Low – Volume Production ( The Manufacturing Guides)

Rob Thompson, “Manufacturing Processes for Design Professionals”

Chris Lefteri’ “Materials for Design”

Bruno Munari, “Design as Art”

Bill Moggridge’ “Designing Interactions”

Viktor Papanek,  „Design dla relnego świata”

J. Ginalski, M. Liskiewicz, J. Seweryn, „Rozwój nowego produktu”, ASP w Krakowie, 1994

Galen Cranz, „ The chair: Rethinking Culture, Body, and Design

Mark Hinchman, “ History of Furniture: A Global View

R. Bruce Hoadley, “Understanding Wood: A Craftsman’s Guide to Wood

Don Norman, “The Design of Everyday Things

Wally Olins „O marce”, Instytut Marki Polskiej, 2004

Richard Morris „Projektowanie produktu”, Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN, 2009

Kathryn Best „Design Management”, Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN, 2009

Tom Kelley, Jonathan Littman „Sztuka Innowacji”, MT Biznes, 2009

Cuffaro, Blackman, Covert, Paige, Nehez-Cuffaro, Laituri, Sears „Industrial Design, Reference + Specification Book”, Rockport Publishers, 2013

Jiri Pelcl and team „Design, From Idea to Realization”, AAAD in Prague, 2012