Furniture by Jon Harrison

More from the Royal College of Art Show Two: this time a selection of projects by Jon Harrison, a graduate of the MA Design Products course.

Steel stools (above) were created with the aim of holding an adult’s weight using the thinnest section of steel possible. The material for the seat is taken from the waste of the bottom rail.

In another project he combines an ash chair-frame with a seat and backrest made from corian.

“The functionality and usability of everyday objects is of great importance to me,” says Harrison. “I also believe that if an item is to function correctly it should be able to intuitively tell the consumer what the product is for and how to use it – with no instructions or explanations.

“Whether we realise it or not as a community of users, we share a common visual language of expectations and perceived behaviours. I try to use this ‘visual alphabet’ within my work; it shouldn’t necessarily be about big change but my aim is to allow the consumer to act effortlessly and unconsciously.”

Harrison cites his Candle with a Handle design as an example of this approach: “The ‘relaxed’ state of mind created by a candle-lit evening is often ruined when it’s time to retire and the lights are turned on.

“The handle at the opposite end to the candle ‘offers’ itself to the user who can carry the candle to their bedside and extinguish it when ready to sleep.”

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• Furniture
• Design