Лесотехнически Университет

Summary

Competition in the educational field today brought awareness of the need of change in the manner of teaching and knowledge acquisition. It is clear that the university, as an educational and scientific institution, should follow and answer the demands of society for highly qualified and self-confident young professionals. The University of Forestry in Sofia introduced a new study module, called Project Week, in the regular curriculum for Engineering Design Bachelor Program. The module aims at increasing the skills and competence of students and preparing them for their future professional career. The paper presents the results of our experience from the past two years from the students’ point of view. Inquiries were held with the participants, students of 3^rd year of study. The authors of this paper put the accent on the expectations and results of this new form of teaching.

The final results are an indicator of work done and give us the guidelines for future development towards improving the manner and conditions of work.

Summary

Rattan is an exclusively lightweight material with exotic character; it is a symbol of Asiatic countries; of gardens and resort hotels. 20^th C designers are tempted by this material that combines well with metals and wood. Rattan itself is imitated with artificial materials, used to knit garden furniture; it is a preferable choice because it is indestructible by atmospheric conditions. Today, great designers are inspired by the formal potential of rattan both as a structural material and as a mesh or woven panels used for the wide surfaces of seating and lying furniture (seats and backrests). They are not limited only in the garden field of application; they use the potential of this material for the dwelling. In this paper, we are going to consider designer works of different periods of the 20^th and 21^st century, that are influenced by the qualities and specifics of the material rattan; by analyzing and classifying those features that make it so attractive to furniture designers.

Summary

This paper deals with research on different manifestations of exoticism as a strategy for innovation in design and form-building of furniture. The interest in exotic and distant cultures and their art gives rise to a tendency: the emergence of culture mix. Decorative design elements from the East are being integrated with existing furniture types in Europe, or are used to create new ones. The study is done by selecting examples and commenting the phenomena of exoticism in interior and furniture, observed in the works of architects and cabinet-makers from the past. The art of Asia influenced both royal persons and common people long before the development of modern transportation and media widened the horizon.

Summary

The paper is focused on a tendency, clearly defined these last years, of the application of knitting technique in furniture design. Traditions and contemporary knitting techniques are researched, as well as materials used. Analysis is made of their implementation in furniture. A number of examples are researched in an attempt to classify the application of knitwear in different furniture types, their function, as well as the most often used techniques and materials. By means of selection, classification, visual identification and comparative morphologic analysis, the potential of this technique is revealed.

Summary

The paper is an attempt to summarize 25 years of experience of Furniture Design Education at the University of Forestry. The author attempts to look at the whole complex circle of problems facing the management and teaching staff at the university, such as compiling of curriculum and syllabi, creating study content and textbooks, securing study space and all organizational issues. On the non–material side key issues were: awareness of the creative nature of the designer’s profession; establishing of artistic ethos and new relationship between staff and students; innovative teaching methods encouraging self-confidence and presentational skills of young people. These issues include not only staff and facilities, but also active involvement of students. Here we mean active student participation in: mobility programs abroad, national and international workshops, annual exhibitions, introducing opportunities for professional career at the university. In this line we can add the educational module “Project Week” and links with business. Meanwhile, positive program accreditation of the Engineering Design Program by the National Accreditation Agency; as well as the image of our alumni and their overall professional career gave the first rewarding signs. Last but not least, the report compares the program with analogical programs elsewhere in Europe with consequent conclusions for success and failures.

Summary

In the article, a rarely mentioned in publications furniture type is considered: the tripod. The functional and symbolic meaning of this ancient artefact are researched aiming at revealing its role for the emergence of other furniture types in the XVIII^th, XIX^th and XX^th C because of the Antique Vogue and the trend for commodity search. Such objects, as stands, tables, trays, tea-tables, etc., are considered. In the process of this research, the role of this ancient archetype is revealed for the creation of modern products with a folding tripod structure, e.g., portable stools, tables, stands, etc.