advice on making curved panels by hand/ 2nd year project

[tobytools]

evening gents,
ive ben searching for links or videos on how to do the above, basically im now thinking about my 2nd year of college (need to finish the 1st first) but never the less during that time in the 2nd we are given the freedom to concentrate on designing our own end of year projects.
i went to the exhibition of the 2nd and 3rd years work before i joined the college and took notes of whats produced by the majority of students, after careful thinking i think i have found a way to get noticed above everyone else.
the common denominator in most of the work was the lack of form, most projects took the shape of either a square or rectangle. this is by no means a bad thing but to stand out i need to incoparate shape. that why a curved cabinet of some description would be ideal.
so what would be the best way to do this,

i also asked myself what would make my piece stand out.
a few things came to mind:
tight joints (obvious)
veneer
strining/banding
mouldings
match booked wood or veneer
contrast
what else could i utilise to improve the wow factor.

any advice or ideas would be much appreciated?

thanks all
TT

 

[Jacob]

The key to good design is copying. Copy copy copy!!
Go through a load of books, web pages and mags until you spot something you fancy and work it up in your own way.
Brian's Facebook page is chocka with ideas https://www.facebook.com/groups/WoodworkProjects/

PS this is a serious suggestion BTW - the desperate struggle to be original often results in some very tedious products

 

[tobytools]

Thanks Jacob,
I have looked about and selected a few possible candidates that I will combind and change about.
The problem of making the curved panel is still confusing me, can anyone point me in the right direction?

We also get graded on what we make so the bigger the selection of joints and the precision of each component counts towards a better mark. I'm aiming for a distinction.
So I'll need to incorporate a well selected group of jonery and appropriate finish.

Thanks
TT

 

[Jacob]

Nick Webb is doing one over there
There might be more if you search under "coopering" etc

I suppose there three basic techniques:
carve from solid
construct from solid staves (coopering etc)
laminate over forms or moulds (boat building etc)

 

[tobytools]

Thanks Jacob I prefer the idea of coopering the staves. The carve from solid is possiable.
Less keen about laminating. But I shall look into all 3 methods and see what I may be capable of doing

TT