Our V&A hub is going to be full of delicious stuff to see this year. Alongside the headlining the Cappellini exhibit and the Retrouvius entrance hall is another that's well worth a look. It is by four members of www.designermakers.org.uk and it's a great example of what happens when traditional materials meet intelligently used state of the art techniques. Nicholas Langan's Footprint table has contoured footprints in the top surface of the table – and they go right through to the underside. 

We asked Nick about the process of making the table. It was the learning process; this kind of fine work means not just rethinking old techniques, but adapting the new ones too... 

Where did you start with this piece? What were the ideas behind it, and what were the challenges in making it? 

I wanted to explore the effect objects and forces can have on surfaces, the inspiration came from seeing footprints on the beach and thought that would be a good example to use. The majority of the carving is on the underside of the piece as all of the surface is removed to reveal the 'outprints' of the feet. An issue arose when the underside was carved using a CNC router. Wood has a natural inherent tension; when a large amount is removed from one face the tension is released thus causing the board to 'cup' (curl up across its width). This was simply overcome by screwing the jointed oak board to a sheet of ply, allowing the vacuum bed of the router to hold it in place. A unique process has evolved from the creation of the piece which can now be used to personalise and customise furniture and interior products.  

Find out about the Designer Makers at the V&A. Meet them on Mon 20 Sept from 11.00 - 17.00