We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Jan Goderis about their original and creative Coffee Table design work. Jan Goderis is an award-winning industrial designer, that makes our world a better place with their original coffee table works.
Jan Goderis ("JG") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Bend Coffee Table. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
JG : The starting point was to design a simple coffee table by folding a plate (aluminium).
JG : At the start of the design, the pleated plate did not continue at the top and the design only consisted of the lower curved part. As a result, reinforcement ribs had to be added, but that was very disturbing. It wasn't until 2022 that I decided to continue the pleated sheet with a duplicate of the top. I was able to solve the problem of sturdiness and the design was finished the way I wanted it.
JG : Sell the licensing rights to a design manufacturer.
JG : I started designing in 2016. Then a put it on hold for a few years because I was busy with other projects. In 2022 it came to my attention again and has been finalized to the result we know now.
JG : I don't remember what inspired the design. I do know that I have been looking for the possibility of designing a table with a pleated plate in a continuous line and whereby the folding creates supports that also have a storage function for magazines, newspapers, a blanket... In addition, storage space is also created by the duplication of the top.
JG : The design is not yet in production. For this, I am looking for a design manufacturer who can include this in their collection. The design is easy to produce and has a neutral design so that it fits in different interiors.
JG : The designing was done spontaneously outside of an assignment. I have always loved designing coffee and side tables. It's something fun to do.
JG : The outdoor lounge chair 'Loop' by Willy Guhl I think.
JG : Since the design is easy to produce, sober and functional in design, I think it can be sold to a wide audience with an average wage.
JG : It is a playful design in which the shape has a constructive, aesthetic and functional (storage) function.
JG : At first, I thought the obvious name was Loop but this is already widely used for other designs. In the end, the name 'Bend' was chosen, which is also very appropriate.
JG : My 3D printer was a useful tool especially to solve the problem of stability.
JG : The playful continuous line of the furniture makes it look like a sculpture in the room where it is installed.
JG : To make the prototype, we worked with a metal company that specializes in metal bending.
JG : By separating the top and sliding a solid wooden slat in between, a kind of beam construction has been created that makes the furniture stable.
JG : Analytical data was used to investigate how thick the sheet material should be so that it would not cracks when folded.
JG : Certain parts could not be folded in one piece because the table had to be disassembled for transport. Developing a mounting system that was not disturbing, sturdy and invisible was a major challenge.
JG : When I entered this was my most recent design and it was natural to participate with this design. It was important to know how this design was experienced in terms of quality.
JG : Searching for the essence of a design.
JG : The prototype is made of aluminium because of its weight, but also because it is easy to recycle. The aluminium is painted with a more environmentally friendly paint process that partly collects the mist during spraying for reuse. The wooden beam is FSC labelled. The wood finished with an environmentally friendly wood oil. The table consists of a lower and upper part so that it is more compact during transport. The coffee table could also be made of folded plywood. Which would be very nice and a good alternative to aluminium.
