Lasting Legacies: the Furniture of Varian Designs

• Functional Applications - Product Lifecycle Management Systems (PLM)

• Product Research & Development

• Software Design & Engineering Services
• System Integration

Forest Dickey, founder of Varian Designs, faced the challenge of transforming his passion for furniture design into a viable business. Initially, he struggled with the high costs and uneven quality of reclaimed materials, which led him to source certified, sustainable wood. Additionally, Dickey needed to find a way to balance his artistic vision with the practicalities of running a business, including managing production, marketing, and client relations. The competitive nature of the furniture design industry also posed a challenge, requiring Dickey to continuously innovate and maintain high standards of craftsmanship.

Varian Designs is a boutique furniture design and manufacturing company founded by Forest Dickey in 2008. Based in San Francisco, the company specializes in handcrafted wooden and steel furniture, including chairs, tables, benches, and desks. Dickey draws inspiration from his European heritage and the landscapes of northern California, creating pieces that are both functional and artistic. The company operates out of an 8,000 square foot shared workspace, which includes a full woodshop, offices, and a showroom. Varian Designs is known for its high-quality, made-to-order furniture, which is featured in prominent homes and businesses across the Bay Area and beyond.

To address the challenges, Dickey incorporated technology into his design and manufacturing processes. He has been using Vectorworks Architect software since 2002, which allows him to save time during both the design and manufacturing stages. The software enables him to create detailed 3D models and prototypes, which are crucial for client buy-in. For complex tasks like carving an iPad pocket into a desk, Dickey exports DXF and DWG files to a local 5-Axis CNC operator, significantly reducing the time required for such tasks. This integration of technology has made his workflow cheaper and faster, allowing him to focus more on the creative aspects of his work. Additionally, Dickey sources most of his materials from certified, sustainable forests throughout the USA, ensuring high quality and consistency. He also participates in yearly design trade shows and relies on referrals and online presence to attract new business. This multi-faceted approach has helped Varian Designs maintain its reputation for high-quality, handcrafted furniture while also allowing for continuous innovation.

• Dickey's use of Vectorworks software has streamlined his design and manufacturing processes, allowing him to focus more on creativity.
• The integration of CNC technology has significantly reduced the time required for complex tasks, making the workflow more efficient.
• Sourcing materials from certified, sustainable forests has ensured high quality and consistency in the final products.

• The use of CNC technology reduced the time required for carving an iPad pocket from 3 hours to 10 minutes.
• Vectorworks software has been used since 2002, contributing to long-term efficiency and productivity improvements.