OUFM201 - The Bench is complete

I have finally finished making my three person outdoor bench, made from tanalised timber. I have named it the sunrise bench:

OUCE255 - Mission Statement

I have selected and listed a variety of different mission statements from existing businesses to help with writing my own:

"Give consumers and businesses what they want, when they want it. We never stop improving our world class operation's by putting our customers - and their needs - first."

- Ebuyer.com

"Microsoft’s mission is to enable people and businesses throughout the world to realize their full potential."

-Microsoft

"Skype’s mission is to be the fabric of real-time communication on the web."

-Skype

I have tried to write my own mission statement which is below:

" I am committed to crafting high quality furniture to suit the ideal needs of the customer, meeting personal, social, and economic aims." 

I have also decided to make a smaller version, which fits better on my business cards:

"Crafting High Quality, Bespoke Furniture"

OUCE255 - SWOT Analysis

This is the SWOT table for the furniture maker Andre Chalmers, www.andrechalmers.co.uk:

This is the SWOT table for the furniture maker Tim Whitfield, http://www.timwhitfieldjoinery.com:

Comparing the two within the SWOT Analysis, I felt that they both had the same kind of strengths and weaknesses, as they are both located in similar areas, producing the pieces to similar clients. 

Where the two differ is within the strengths and weaknesses that each professional has. One of the main differences is the use of a professional website, which I believe makes the designer  look much more professional and business orientated, rather than just a hobbyist. 

The main weakness I felt that both of them had was that they looked more like "Handy-men", rather than a professional furniture maker. This has a big impact of the way a client may perceive the business, and may have a significant impact on the type of jobs that they may get. 

Comparing this two my personal business there are some significant things that I can apply. One of these is two create and use a professional website, containing contact information and previous work I have created. I will also be careful on what skills and services that I supply, so I do not look like and odds job handyman. Some of the best Opportunities that I will have is the lack of local competition, although I will still have the threats of economic pressures, and wider competition from the likes of IKEA and other large furniture making companies. 

OUFM201 - Design and Manufacture: Bench Update

The bench so far......

OUFM201 - Design and Manufacture: The bench so far....

So far in this piece of outdoor furniture I have dry fitted the complete frame, shaped the arms and cut the seat to the correct size. All that is left to do is insert the dowels and glue together.

Above: Frame of bench complete

My next task is to create the sunset seat, I have started this my creating the arched back. This has included me making some jigs and a lot of sanding. Below is half the curve complete. After this I will be planing and fitting the sun rays.

Above: Construction of arch begins

OUCE255 - Value Proposition

From my studies and from the experiences I have gained I have decided to make high quality, contemporary furniture. This will include custom and new joinery techniques, new use of materials and a wide range of shapes, including bent wood.  My furniture will also include all aspects of manufacture from hand crafted components, to Computer Aided Design and CNC Components. One aim I have is to be as sustainable as possible; including sourcing materials from FSC approved sources, and minimising waste. Another aim I have is to all ways push myself and the skills that I have in order to make the best product possible, and the fastest possible speed.

I will also listen to any customer’s needs and want’s, which may include changing a design to suit their purpose. As “a customer is all ways right” mentality, I will never be happy until the customer is happy, which also includes before, during and after care on anything that is sold.  


One key value that I feel drives my work is being meticulous and also precise in all manners of practise, to produce the highest quality pieces as possible. Another key value is to be imaginative and bold, to produce unique pieces, with a strong story and selling point.

OUPD202 - Going Green for 2016...

For our task on Monday I found this article is a suitably named journal called "Sustainability" in January 2013  issue. This article was talking about the key points of sustainability, specifically in the housing sector. One of the key points within the article was that the UK government wants all new builds to be completely carbon neutral.  The image shows one design concept which incorporates new design and construction methods.

Above: Sustainability 2013 Journal