“Design is not just what it looks and feels like. Design is how it works.”
-Steve Jobs
“You can design and create the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality.”
-Walt Disney
At JEM Carpentry Inc design is more than just a drawing or some color swatches; design is at the core of what we do, driving every part of our process. From the initial meet and greet with our prospective customers through contracts & pre-construction all the way to the completion of the last item on the punch list.
What is design? According to Merriam Webster the definition of design is: to create, fashion, execute, or construct according to plan. A good basic definition- but let’s elaborate. At JEM Carpentry Inc we believe design is about the people using the product, the intended purpose of the product and the environment or space the product will occupy.
The People ~ Who is the product for? General demographic knowledge is always important when designing but we like to take a more intimate look. Inquiring about hobbies, work, family, etc is par for the course during initial conversations, but sometimes asking more specific questions like the ones below can help to determine what a customer really wants and needs in a design.
“What made you decide to take action on this particular project at this time?”
“If you could have exactly what you wanted and money was no object- what would you choose?”
“What are the most important factors in choosing a company to work with on this project? Considering the big 3- Quality, Schedule & Budget- which 2 are the most important to you?”
The Purpose- What is the intended use of this product? A simple question? Maybe- never assume anything! You just never know what someone may be thinking so it’s always best to get as much information as possible before beginning a design. Here’s are some questions to help determine the best and most dynamic solutions.
“Why do you want to do this project? What problem or problems are you trying to solve? If there are multiple solutions needed, what’s the priority?”
“Have you had or used a product in the past that provided the solution(s) you’re looking for? If so, what did you like best and least about it? Are there things you would change about it?”
“What are some potential problems or issues you could see happening or would like to avoid?”
The Environment/Space that something will occupy, is a critical consideration when designing any type of architectural components. Great architecture for example, is more them just the structure- the design has to work with the natural environment. Same can be said for cabinetry and millwork, it’s just a microcosm of the same thing. The design has to work with the environment it occupies. We consider everything from the existing materials and finishes, who inhabits the space and their routines, even the geographic location of the project. It is a process we’ve refined through practice and experience to ensure you end up with the right design for you and your space.
Some of our recent designs at different stages of the process.
Design is about aesthetic, intentionality and function. We excel at putting all of these things together, creating spaces that look, feel and function just as they should.
Below is a collection of concept sketches and shop drawings from the early days of JEM Carpentry-
