Product Design Studio

Assignment 1
Modular Furniture
Research Project : Multipurpose Drawer

Name: Natasha Dayana Binti Md Amin

Student ID: 58214217022

Prepared for: Madam Intan Nadiyah Mohd Nor

Date of Completion: 10/8/2018

Table of Contents

Contents Page

Executive Summary 2

Introduction 3

Literature Review 4

Research Methodology 6

Data Collection 7

Conclusion 8

Recommendations 8

References 9

Appendices 9

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Executive Summary

Drawer is one of the most important furniture in every house. Drawer comes in
handy especially when we want to organize our things and it has different kind of shape,
size and color. People tend to misplace their belongings, so that’s why a drawer is
necessary when we want to organize our things properly.

People who live in a small space house usually think twice before buying any
furniture. Because of the limited space in their house, problems arise where they need
to limit the purchase of furniture. The problem of this study is to determine what kind of
furniture that is most suited to use in a limited space house. This study focuses on a
family of a minimum of four people who lives in small space house like apartment or
flats.

This study is conducted to investigate what kind of drawer that people usually
buy, or want. The shape, color, materials used, quality, durability and other aspects are
taken into consideration. Market research is conducted to give more ideas to the
designer in order to design a multipurpose drawer. The designer also refers to sources
from internet, magazines and design books.

One of the most popular places to buy furniture is IKEA. Malaysian usually go
there to buy furniture because the design is unique, the price is affordable and it has
high quality. IKEA also sell some modular furniture and is really useful for a person who
lives is small space house. The designer itself went to IKEA to do a market research
and also to find ideas on how to design functional furniture.

In conclusion, it is undeniable that market on furniture really is important.

Customers would like multipurpose furniture in order to save space in their house as
well as save money to buy different kind of furniture. Profit can be gained from this since
demand is high for furniture in Malaysia.

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1.0 Introduction

The designer need to design modular furniture mainly for small space area. The
concept of the furniture must be multipurpose and has small size. Also, the shape of
the furniture should be considered.

1.1 Introduction of Case Study

Drawer is the type of furniture that used to store something. Usually,

people place their belongings in the drawer to make it more organized.
Especially if the person is the clumsy and forgetful type. They will often
misplace their belongings. So, drawer will come in handy for this kind of
purpose.
First of all, the designer needs to design a drawer that is suitable to be
used by all kind of customers. Some of the aspects that a designer should
take into consideration are the shape of it and the materials.
Secondly, what can the drawer transform into also need to be considered
by the designer. For this, the designer decided to make the drawer transform
into table and also chair. This will all be explained in this report.

1.2 Problems Identification

The main problem of this study is that people who lives in a flat or
apartment has limited amount of space and cannot buy much furniture. So,
they will think twice and has to consider many things before buying one.

Furniture is necessary when it comes to organize things properly. But

maybe the users don’t think it is necessary to buy a drawer since it will take
much space and only has one usage.

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 1.3 Objective and Aim

1. To investigate the problems faced by people who lives in small space

house.
2. To design a drawer that is multifunction and has an affordable price.

2.0 Literature Review

2.1 Target Market and Target User
People who lives in small apartment or flats who face problems related to
limited space available.
2.2 Market Studies
2.2.1 Product Research

Product Descriptions

Type: Wooden Slide

Material: Wood
Advantage:
 The drawer is well-fitted.
 Requires no additional financial investment
 Allow drawer to function as a finished face.
No “dummy” need to be applied.
Disadvantage:
 It doesn’t allow full extension. Once you pull
the drawer out to a certain point, it will sag
and can even fall out of its opening.
 A well fitted drawer can stick in humid
weather in locales where humidity
fluctuates significantly from season to
season.

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 Type: Side-mounted ball bearing slides
Material: Wood, stainless steel
Advantage:
 Easy to install in casework
 These slides allow the drawer to be
removed simply by disengaging a lever.
 Can be adjusted
Disadvantage:
 Side-mounted ball bearing slides are not
completely silent
 Side-mounted slides take up space in the
cabinet’s width
Type: Self-closing undermount slides
Material: Wood, stainless steel
Advantage:
 Well-fitted
 The slide doesn’t produce any sound
 Smooth running
 Adjustable
Disadvantage:
 Has many requirements to place the
bearing

2.2.2 Mechanism/Technology Research

Dimension
Size: 40 x 45 x 50 cm
Material: Fibreboard, particleboard
Undermount ball bearing function smoothly and did not produce
any sound. The price is affordable.

2.2.3 Manufacturing Research

Size: 30 x 30 x 30 cm
Material: Pinewood, particleboard, undermount ball bearing

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 2.2.4 Ergonomics and Safety Reseach

Edges
The edges of the drawer is chamfered

Stability
The drawer is stable and can withstand heavy weight

3.0 Research Methodology

 Design brief
The task given is to design a modular furniture that has many functions in order to
save space. Some of the aspects that need to be taken into consideration are the
size, the shape, the functions and also the materials used.

 Identifying customer needs

A survey is conducted in order to get an idea on what customer wants. The
designer also do a market research by visiting IKEA and also search for
information from internet.

 Target specification
The designer specify who is the target market and the location.

 Sketch product concept

The designer comes out with some concepts that they think are most suitable for
their target market.

 Choose a concept
The designer need to choose one concept that they think is the best. The product
details are specified. The materials, dimensions and also the mechanism of the
product are specified. A 3D application is used to have the final result.

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4.0 Data Collection

From a survey conducted by the designer, they found out that 100% of the people
answered yes when asked if they ever face problems regarding their house’s
space. From this, the designer decided to design a small furniture that have
multipurpose. The designer also include question on what kind furniture they want.
70% of people answered they want a flexible furniture and 30% of people answered
that they want both flexible and fixed furniture.

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5.0 Product Findings

6.0 Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many types of drawers in the market. Each types of
drawers has their own design and shape. But for this study, the designer wants to focus
on small and multifunction. The problem arises in a small apartment and flats where
people has limited space in their house.
Because there are high demand of furniture in the market, so many company
produces furniture to gain profit. With affordable price and high quality, the customer will
definitely buy it.

7.0 Recommendations

 Furniture has small size so it is suitable in small space

 Multifunction
 Affordable price
 Has attractive design
 Has high quality

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8.0 References
https://www.famitchell.com.au/plywood-vs-particleboard/
https://www.popularwoodworking.com/woodworking-blogs/3-kinds-of-drawer-slides-
pros-and-cons
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1OLE109tPPqDnQA_IU0cDo1xfPhVCLmtdE2O_a
UZuZ8s/edit?c=0&w=1#responses

9.0 Appendices