For this week I was interested in the different requirements we place upon our chairs. We expect office chairs to tilt us forward while our chairs for relaxation tilt us backwards. But what if a chair could do both? The chair has no back so you can sit on it from either end. This allows you to use it as an office chair or a chair for pleasure.
And here’s the chair in office mode. Look how fast it makes me type!
For this week I was interested in the different requirements we place upon our chairs. We expect office chairs to tilt us forward while our chairs for relaxation tilt us backwards. But what if a chair could do both? The chair has no back so you can sit on it from either end. This allows you to use it as an office chair or a chair for pleasure.
Here’s the sit test in relaxation mode.
Here’s my chair from week two of the chair a week project I’m undertaking. This weeks requirements were to use dimensional lumber and plywood.
Week one chair.
What a learning experience! I was definitely too busy this week to properly spend time on the chair, but I still arrived at a place that I’m happy with. Here’s some of the things I learned this week:
1. Repitition is your friend. If you can make a jig and just bust out pieces in a hurry, your life will be a lot easier.
2. Don’t be afraid to modify your design. The little stumps on the back became the back rest after my first two ideas didn’t pan out.
3. Try designs which you might not have faith in. Since I’m only spending a week per chair, if my design doesn’t work out in the end, I’ve only lost a week.
Overall, week one was a lot of fun. And I think the chair turned out pretty good considering it cost less than $10 and took under 4 hours to make.
I think I need to start my own Chair Challenge (see link below for where I got my idea). Is anyone interested in doing this with me? My schedule so far:
Week 1 (ending May 13): Dimensional Lumber Only. No plywood. You can only use stock dimensional lumber found at places like Rona.
Week 2 (ending May 20): Sticks and Plywood. No boxes, both materials must be used.
Week 3 (ending May 27): Plywood Only.
Week 4 (ending June 3): Wood + Choose your own Material. You can pick one other material apart from wood. However, there must be wood in the chair.
Week 5 (ending June 10): Steel. You can use wood as well as an option, but steel must be used.
Week 6 (ending June 24, an extra week for hard work): Any material.
Week 7 (undecided): Mini pop-up show somewhere. Maybe a found space exhibit. We’ll see how the first 6 weeks go.
Basic rules: All chairs must be sit tested; design can be done at any time, but chairs must be done in order; any fasteners can be used as long as they do not become a major design element; maximum 1 week per chair (apart from last chair); and NO revisions.
Reply if you’re interested. Since weekly meet ups will be difficult, photos will have to do as proof.
http://issuu.com/copenhagendesignweek/docs/onechairaweekthebook?mode=window&pageNumber=1
