Chair Inspiration - Materials and Craft
Inspiration for this chair project started off with several types of materials, elements and crafts that I wanted to pursue.
1. Woven - Many small elements making up a singular design.
2. Privacy - A modern shaped chair that features elements of sound cancelation and promotes focus.
3. Lights and Color - Chairs with built in electronic features for reading that are also fun and loud.
Ideation
In conceptualization, I tried to sketch chairs that matched my inspirations. The final concepts ended up being bland. In critiques, I was asked to try to push myself a bit more.
A Fresh Start: Nature Inspiration
In order to jump-start my design, I turned toward natural wood. I have always liked it’s natural grown beauty and have worked with it in the past.
Ergonomic Studies
I studied, measured, and gathered as much resources I could to create a comfortable, simple seat.
3-D Design: Solidworks Study
Solidworks helped me confirm the size, material, and subtle details before I built my final model.
How was it Made?
1. Build a test chair out of simple 2x4s.
2. Based on the Solidworks model and material thickness, I calculated the outlines of all 130 wood pieces.
3. Outlines printed to actual size.
4. Paste paper to wood, cut each piece individually.
5. Glue pieces of wood together to form arms, legs, seat and back.
6. Additional sanding.
7. Glue arms, legs, seat and back together. Add stain and finishes.
