Brief Introduction:
A upcycled beanbag chair that is combined with lighting built with a modular system.
By folding and twisting each of the existing and recycled foam blocks into a spiral form, I created a modular system to extend and grow into organic forms. Throughout the process, I played with various kinds of organic forms. And eventually, I transformed the organic form into a seating and incorporated with the lighting in order to represent the inspiration of coral and life. It also embodies the functionality with the flexibility and soft texture of the material.
Product used in real life.
Closer look into the interior space with the lighting involved.
These are the original brainstorming sketches, inspiration and prototype. Initially, I started with thinking about how to incorporate lighting with organic forms. Step by step I got to the thought that the light could be storable/movable instead of a set lamp that could only allow certain part to shine.
The pictures below explain the process of the modular system.
Top left : the original foam block
Top right : Foam balls being taken out from the foam block
Bottom left : foam block being twisted and sides of it being connected
Bottom right : foam block turns into a new form
By connecting each three modules, I figured out a system that creates a solid surface. To build up a large scale sculpture. this system could work really efficiently and effectively.
With the foundation system developed, I started creating a huge piece without actually building a border. Usually in designing, I tend to set a end goal. However, here in the process, I chose to explore more of the material by opening up to more possibilities within the process.
This is one of the organic forms I got while creating the piece. I was really astonished by how many forms could this piece transform into. It was somehow just like a lively create that crawls everywhere. I really did enjoy this part of the whole process. I realized this is truly the purpose of upcycling, which is to give an already existed object a new life.
One phase among the process is shown here, which if you turn the product upside down, and it will become a blind that creates a beautiful shining pattern. And this process here brought me back to my original inspiration of coral/life.
One more picture of product being shown in real life.
