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Jul 28

Brief Information Regarding Contemporary Furniture

Posted on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 in Others

Everyone has head the term “contemporary” but many people are still unsure what it really means when it is used to describe furniture design. What it refers to is furniture designs that were created in the second half of the 20th century. It was during the time after WW2 that contemporary furniture design realy took root.

This was the beginning of the baby boomer era when many new families were starting up after the war. During the 60s the advent of the space age gave many designers inspiration and their designs reflect this. It was during the seventies that the bean bag chair made its debut and it worked well for that point in time. The sixties brought us the water bed and the lava lamp and they have both gone in and out of style since then.

As new materials have been developed they have also found their way into contemporary furniture design and the 1950s were the first time that plastics began to make their way into furniture. It was during the 80s that rattan made its return and it is still being used today in contemporary furniture design.

Now in this day and age there is so much that designers have to select from when creating their furniture designs and many are welding the old with the new. Materials such as polished marble or granite for table tops that have their origins in ancient times are being used in conjunction with more modern materials for contemporary furniture that blends the old with the new.

Mission influences are again making their way into modern contemporary designs also. If you are thinking of furnishing your home or office with contemporary furniture then you may want to invest a little time in research before you make your final purchases.

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Jul 27

Furniture Industry Set To Go Green

Posted on Monday, July 27, 2009 in Others

For years, the threat of global warming has been predicted by scientist to become increase. Unfortunately, there were only a few who heeded the call for more eco-friendly products. Today though, the awareness regarding climate change has increased. This increase in awareness has paved the way for different industries to produce green technologies and products.

The furniture industry is also taking strides in joining the ranks of industries battling global warming. Heading this initiative is furniture importer Palecek. The company pointed out that retailers can support the sustainable furniture movement without sacrificing profits. Allan Palecek expressed his message to retailers at the Sustainable Furniture Council meeting in Atlanta recently.

Held at the Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Market, the meeting is centered on informing retailers on what they can do to balance support for sustainability and profits. Palecek pronounced that there is a way to keep a balance between the two. He said that it is possible especially with consumers also becoming aware of the threat of climate change. Palecek also went on to say that this awareness is more apparent on younger generation of buyers.

“The job for you is to understand and to help educate the consumer,” said Palecek during the conference. The consumer needs to be aware of what is going on…There is an opportunity for younger people to get behind this.”

During his speech at the said event Palecek related that his company started out with manufacturing bamboo baskets way back in the 70s. And as part of the company’s dedication towards a sustainable future, they started offering products made from sustainable materials such as sea grass, wicker, rattan, and abaca. With the diversity in materials used for their products, the company was able to stay true to their commitment of protecting the environment.

“I brought this kind of material to the marketplace and people responded to it,” said Palecek. “Recycling and using sustainable products go hand in hand. It makes all the sense in the world,” he added.

Although Palecek said that there are ways through which furniture manufacturers can balance sustainability and profit, he said that there is still room for improvement. He pointed out that in packaging of items, plastics are still being used. Foams are also potentially dangerous to the environment and are also used in packaging furniture and other related goods such as crane mirrors.

“There is an unbelievable amount of energy wasted for packaging – it’s billions of dollars,” said Palecek. “Some of it is recycled, but for the most part, it is wasted product,” he added.

During the SFC meeting, setting a standard can help retailers tell their consumers which products are manufactured without harming the environment. This shows that the industry is working hard to make the world a better place for future generations.

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Jul 27

Furniture Designers Association

Posted on Monday, July 27, 2009 in Others

What is furniture design all about? Is it only for furniture designers?

The first Furniture Designers Association came into existence on 25th October 1917, where it formed its first constitution and by-laws. However, it was conceptualized in 1916 in Grand Rapids, known as the city for furniture manufacturing by a local manufacturer Robert W. Irwin. He wanted to promote a good relation between the manufacturer and the furniture designers. Thereafter he arranged for a meeting between the two groups, which was successful Thus, three of the furniture designers William L. Kimerly, J. Stuart Clingman and Thomas Handley determined to form an association for the benefit of both the designers as well as the manufacturers. They encouraged local furniture designers to join the association. Thus, the Grand Rapids Association was formed and E. Berkey Jones was elected as the president, the owner of William A. Berkey Co. along with eighteen skilled furniture designers and all the members of Furniture Manufacturers Association were admitted as the contract members.

Membership

The membership of this association was restricted to only the local furniture designers of Grand Rapids. In 1920, the Furniture Designers Association was restructured and the membership was given to all the certified designers throughout the United States. Initially the associate membership was given to the suppliers and later on granted to furniture design students. The need for a good prospective forced many designers to move out form Grand Rapids. At present, there are numerous furniture designers in Grand Rapids, who design mostly for the market of Southern furniture market in High Point, North Carolina.

Principles

In 1926, Thomas Johnson, the then president declared that the aim and purpose of the Grand Rapids furniture designers is to cooperate and work for the welfare to standardize furniture designs and constructions. At present the association works to stabilize the furniture design standards and to acquaintance and educate the work in the field of furniture designers. It has around 90 members and this has led to more frequent meetings, usually five in a year. The best final year student of Kendall College of art and design of ferris state university located in city centre of Grand Rapids is awarded $1500 every year in December.

Other Furniture Designer Associations:

American Society of Furniture Designers (ASFD)

It was established in 1981 as an international non-profit professional organization. It works towards improving, supporting and advancement in furniture designing. The memberships are not just limited to American furniture designers, but also international professional designers can become a member of American Society of Furniture Designers.

Chicago Furniture Designers Association

The Chicago Furniture Designers Association is formed to encourage the art and craft of innovative furniture design by raising the community of furnishings designers and makers. The meetings are held on every second Tuesday each month. At the Chicago Furniture Designers Association, designers meet and exchange ideas and information on furniture designs and making to broaden their expertise. The association also organizes exhibitions for certified members. Finally, the association encourages designers to work up to widen their interests in furniture designing.

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Jul 27

Istilah Dalam Dunia Marketing

Posted on Monday, July 27, 2009 in Others

1. Loe liat seorang cewek cantik d sebuah pesta..
loe samperin trus langsung ngomong, ‘Gw orang kaya, nikah sama gw yuk!’
Itu namanya Direct Marketing
2. Loe lagi di sebuah pesta sama temen2 gokil loe trus loe tiba2 liat ada cewe cakep banget..
Salah satu temen loe samperin tuh cewe sambil nunjuk ke loe dia ngmg, ‘Dia orang kaya, nikah ama dia yah!’
Itu namanya Advertising

3. Loe liat seorang cewek cantik d sebuah pesta.. loe samperin trus minta nomor HP-nya..
besokannya loe telpon dia trus langsung ngomong, ‘Gw orang kaya, nikah sama gw yuk!’
Itu namanya Telemarketing

4. Loe liat seorang cewek cantik d sebuah pesta.. loe rapihin dasi gembel loe, loe tuangin minum buat dia, bukain pintu buat dia, bawain barang2nya,
trus sambil loe anterin pulang loe ngomong, ‘btw gw orang kaya, nikah sama gw yuk!’
Itu namanya Public Relations

5. Loe liat cewek cantik di sebuah pesta..
Dia nyamperin loe trus ngmg, ‘Loe orang kaya kan , nikah sama gw yuk!’
Itu namanya Brand Recognition

6. Loe liat seorang cewek cantik d sebuah pesta..
loe samperin trus langsung ngomong, ‘Gw orang kaya, nikah sama gw yuk!’
trus loe dapet gamparan pedes dari dia..
Itu namanya Customer Feedback

7. Loe liat seorang cewek cantik d sebuah pesta..
loe samperin trus langsung ngomong, ‘Gw orang kaya, nikah sama gw yuk!’
trus dia kenalin loe ke suaminya..
Itu namanya Demand and Supply Gap

8. Loe liat seorang cewek cantik d sebuah pesta.. loe samperin tp blom juga loe sempet ngmg apa2,
ada cowo laen dateng trus langsung ngomong, ‘Gw orang kaya, nikah sama gw yuk!’ ..
Itu namanya Marketing Competition

9. Loe liat seorang cewek cantik d sebuah pesta.. loe samperin tp blom juga loe sempet ngmg apa2,
ada cowo laen dateng trus langsung ngomong, ‘Gw orang kaya, nikah sama gw yuk!’ dan tuh cewe cabut pergi ma itu cowo..
Itu namanya Losing Market Share

10. Loe liat seorang cewek cantik d sebuah pesta..
loe samperin tp blom juga loe sempet ngmg ‘Gw orang kaya, nikah sama gw yuk!’ .. tiba2 istri loe nongol..!!
Itu namanya Barrier To New Market Entry