Preferences of Design Students in Choosing Wood for Furniture Design in Interiors

Matching the most suitable material for furniture design in interiors is a challenging task for designers, as it requires them to perceive the material’s attributes. This issue leads to a quest to understand the designer’s approach to selecting materials for furniture in the design process. Considering the aesthetic, technical, and ecological advantages of wood, this research aims to understand the position of wood material through methodologies used in design studies. Given that wood has been utilized in buildings, interiors, and furniture for centuries, it raises the question of its relevance to the new generation of designers. To investigate this, students of design studies were tasked with creating a product utilizing the knowledge gained regarding the phases of product development and the latest findings related to material assignment procedures. Design process is one that continually incorporates new procedures driven by technological advancements. The innovative approach of Speculative and Critical Design (SCD) can enhance the perception of creative thought; however, a conventional approach provides a reliable foundation that encourages further exploration and adherence to the established phases of design. Material assignment techniques such as Product-Driven Design (PDD) and Material-Driven Design (MDD) also play a significant role in comprehending the material properties and methods of product material allocation. Gaining insight into both product development processes and material assignment techniques can illuminate the role of wood as a material within design studies, particularly among students. This research focuses on comparing the methodologies and assignment techniques derived from the existing literature and studies, centered around a project aimed at understanding the willingness of design students to utilize wood materials. Ultimately, it is disclosed that the students plan to utilize wood as their primary material, in conjunction with traditional methodological approaches, and in accordance with PDD, indicating their focus on the requirements of the product.