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Charlotte Hamilton

University of the Arts London

As a graduate designer, I have specialised in furniture design. I believe in designing to make a difference by making design accessible to all. The most direct way to do this is through social design; be it designing for a community, urban design or as part of a reintegration scheme. My placement year working for the Belgian National Rail service, up-cycling train waste in collaboration with a reintegration design studio played a big part in forming me as a social designer. I have a very hands on approach to design. I like to go from designing to prototyping and making, meaning there is an in-depth understanding of materials and how they work.

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Fabricate Furniture Kit

Category: Furniture

Competitions: Home Competition 2025

The furniture kit makes woodworking accessible through teaching and up-skilling in order to reduce furniture waste through the sense of satisfaction and ownership. You can build your own chair, stool or table using basic woodworking skills and the detailed instruction booklet. The inspiration behind the project was a wood workshop that I facilitated with participants from VIA charity and the London Green Wood, an outdoor wood workshop. The idea was that the participants who are in rehabilitation would benefit from spending time in nature whilst learning basic woodworking skills in order to discover a passion, talent or simply have an activity to focus their minds on. The up-skilling process can then be continued through the fabricate furniture kit. The only tools needed are basic woodworking tools such as, a square, a pencil, and dowels which are included in the kit. The owner of the kit can then build their own furniture using a saw and a drill, choosing whether they want to make a chair, a coffee table or a stool. All three are feasible from the materials available in the box, allowing for some freedom and creativity. The biodegradable plastic joints can be used in several ways, depending on the piece of furniture that is being made and ties together the complexity of wood work with a playful more accessible twist. The prototype was made using 3D printed joints, with the idea that if produced on a larger scale, the joints would be injection moulded. Not only is does the sense of ownership increase the lifespan of furniture, but this kit also supports therapeutic engagement for individuals in any rehabilitation.

Working with our partners at Arts Thread to develop lifelong learning and career opportunities for students of fashion and design. Our partnership provides the opportunity to compete on a world stage, participate in industry led workshops, set up an outstanding portfolio and gain access to the resources that will kickstart careers in fashion and design.