• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

by Clark Peaslee

The stories of a craftsman and his creations.

  • Home
  • Stories
  • Gallery
  • About
  • Contact
  • Show Search
Hide Search

Collaborative Design

What exactly does that mean?  It’s almost an oxymoron, and brings to mind terrible images under the heading ‘designed by committee’.

Is design a personal process or is it best developed from more than one vantage point, making use of different disciplines?

My experience is that great design does not happen in a vacuum.  Occasionally, I’ve scored with an original concept that I’ve conjured up somewhere between my subconscious and my sketch pad, but there has to be a seed, a germ of an idea that started the process.

In most of my dealings, I’m designing and/or building pieces of furniture or cabinetry that someone else is going to be using, probably for a very long time.  I want their input; in fact, I want their participation throughout the design development phase (which can include the prototype, by the way), because this is their baby as much as it is mine.  Likewise, if there’s a third party involved, an architect or interior designer, they’re part of the ‘steering committee’ as well.

For the best shot at creating a successful product, everyone involved needs to be a partner without dominating the process…which is no small feat.

handcrafted sideboard, wine server, custom furniture, dining room furniture

https://peasleedesign.com/gallery/furniture/garrison-wine-cooler/

Written by:
Clark Peaslee

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Footer

peaslee design shop

845 594 1352

[email protected]

Copyright © 2025 · peaslee design