SKETCHING

Master of Design Independent Study / Spring 2025

Naranj

PROJECT GOALS:

Designing and Crafting a Wooden Stool with Expressive Form.The aim is to push the limits of my skills in creating form and structure using wood, creating a functional object that is as sculptural as it is usable. There is an emphasis on integrating my personal aesthetics, inspiring design movements and creating balance.

COLOR EXPLORATION

Tahiti, masterpiece by Ettore Sottsass, is an ironic zoomorphic lamp that resembles a toy / 1981

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INSPIRATION FROM THE MEMPHIS MOVEMENT

The Memphis Group, founded in 1981 by Italian architect and designer Ettore Sottsass in Milan, marked a radical departure from the minimalist ideals of modernism. Disillusioned with the functional and rationalist design language that dominated post-war Europe, the group embraced bold colors, geometric shapes, and playful compositions that blended influences from Art Deco, Pop Art, and 1950s kitsch.

At the core of Memphis' philosophy was a rejection of the modernist mantra "form follows function." Instead, the group embraced what Sottsass called “design as a way of discussing life,” prioritizing emotional experience, humor, and human expression over utility.Their works often appeared more like art than furniture, featuring plastic laminates, terrazzo, and clashing color schemes.

In short, Memphis design rejected the notion of universal taste and instead celebrated pluralism, playfulness, and provocation. It helped reframe design as a cultural and emotional medium, not just a problem-solving discipline.

Memphis philosophy is most clearly seen in the freedom and defiance embedded in their objects. Every zigzag leg, plastic laminate, and off-center shelf is a statement: design should be engaging, emotional, and even disruptive. Memphis did not just make furniture—they made commentary, using everyday objects as a medium for cultural and aesthetic rebellion.