Having always been passionate about furniture, designing a unique coffee table was a fun challenge. For this project, I aimed to create a table that evoked mid-century modern style while also being distinct. One of my many sources of inspiration were the Audi A8 headlights (pictured below).

During the form development phase, I drew on architecture and other mid-century furniture for inspiration. Due to its connection to mid-century modern design and ease of use, I identified bendable plywood as my main material. I also aimed to incorporate mixed materials into the final design. A final consideration was to craft a truly handcrafted piece by avoiding using hardware. I then moved into the concept phase.

For the concept phase, I created scaled models. From these models, I gained insight into the types of challenges I would face with specific forms and assembly methods. From these models, I was most moved by the Audi inspired design (bottom right image) but also wanted to elevate it further. I challenged myself to reduce wasted materials and include another shelving option.